In 2009 we bought our kids a trampoline for Christmas and I think it was the best money we have ever spent as parents! My kids are on this thing every single day that they play outside. What great exercise and I hear it's good for kids that have sensory processing disorder (which is a whole different topic for another day, but I think Amos might have a form of this).
The kids from the neighborhood flock to our backyard for jumping time, and just this morning Deacon finally completed a back flip all by himself. Yes he lands on his head kinda, but it won't be long until that kid is doing a complete flip and landing on his feet. He's a jumping machine.
I freak out if they don't zip the net and wonder how I could have parented in the 80's when we all jumped on trampolines and there was no such thing as a net. I still have a large scar on my knee where I feel through the springs and cut open my leg!
What is the best toy/activity/thing you have bought for your kids?
We have a trampoline and DEFINITELY one of our best purchases. We got ours used on Craiglist so even better. The other best thing ever is our swimming pool. The kids live in it all summer. We also get a lot of use out of our tire swings.