The 9 Best Slip n Slides
Editor's Notes
July 15, 2020:
In today’s update, we added in the Wham-O Triple Racer, another model from the maker of Slip ‘N Slides. It’s got three racing lanes in the brand’s signature bright yellow, a well as blue and orange. A large pool forms at the end, so no matter who wins the race, everyone is treated to a big refreshing splash at the finish line. It’s equipped with three inflatable boogie boards, which provide a smoother, slicker ride. The pair of included anchors help it to adhere firmly to the ground, and two patches make for quick repairs in the event of a tear. If all you require is a two-rider model, check out the Wham-O Double Surf Rider, which features a similar design with the pool of water at the end. Today we also added in the Bountech Bounce House, which consists of two slides that are part of an eight-foot-tall bounce house that also features a climbing wall. Riders will land in a refreshing pool of water, and kids will enjoy some squirting fun with the built-in cannon at the bottom. It’s made with safety in mind, with a protective mesh net at the top. It comes with the required blower, as well as a storage bag with handles.
For one of the longest water slides around, look to the Wahii Waterslide, which features a length of 75 feet, making it suitable for a backyard with a long, sloping hill. It’s manufactured in the United States with UV-resistant material and should withstand quite a bit of use, making it great for neighborhood parties. Note that it doesn’t come with an integrated sprinkler system to hook your hose up to, so you’ll need to configure sprinklers or a hose, accordingly, likely at different points throughout. Toddlers can get in on the action with the Little Tikes Wet & Dry, which features a slide with a ladder that goes on top of a mat that’s decorated with friendly jungle animals. This versatile choice also works well for some dry fun in the backyard when you use just the slide.
No matter which model you go with, be sure to set it up safely by finding a smooth hill or flat surface where there are no tree stumps, roots, or rocks, that could damage the slide. Adding a small amount of water underneath the slide will help soften the ride a bit. Be sure to supervise children at all times while they’re on slip ‘n slides or in swimming pools.
June 15, 2019:
Anybody who ever had a slip-n-slide as a child knows how much fun they can be. We figured why should all that fun be limited to the children though, which is why we included the Wow World of Watersports Giant 200502 and Wahii Waterslide. At 25 feet long and a massive 75 feet, respectively, both of these models are just as suitable for adults as kids. Also, the Wow World of Watersports Giant 200502 comes with inflatable bowling pins, so you can turn it into a game and see who gets the best score after 10 frames.
While perhaps not quite suitable for adults, the Team Magnus Dual Racer is 31 feet long and can accommodate kids up to 12 years old. It features an inflatable bumper between the two lanes to minimize the possibilities of a mid-run collision and ensure everyone arrives safely at the finish line. The Intex Inflatable Play Center, Bestway Triple, and Wham-O Double Surf Rider are all best suited to children between five and eight years or age, while the Little Tikes Wet & Dry is the ideal choice for toddlers. We feel an obligation to point out to our readers that the Bestway Triple and Wham-O Double Surf Rider are both prone to tearing, but they do come with repair patches, and their low price still makes them a worthwhile purchase for a day or two of fun.
A Brief History Of The Slip N Slide
The Carrier family soon moved to a different home, this one without such a perfect driveway.
Like most classic toys, the Slip N Slide owes its existence to a time-honored tradition; namely, that of young boys trying to find creative ways to kill themselves.
In 1960, a man named Robert Carrier came home to find his young son, Mike, and a friend playing in the driveway. This wasn't exactly unusual, except this time they'd turned a garden hose on...and were belly-flopping onto the concrete in order to slide down.
It got worse. Since the garage was carpeted, the two boys were able to get a considerable running start before flopping down, and they'd slide all the way to the curb. It was a game that would only be played by someone with a death wish — or, you know, a couple 10-year-old boys.
The Carrier family soon moved to a different home, this one without such a perfect driveway. That didn't stop Mike, though, as he simply took to sliding across the family's patio instead. Eventually, his dad became so concerned with his son's daredevil antics that he brought home a 50-foot roll of Naugahyde to give him a little padding.
Robert Carrier set that Naugahyde up in the yard, hosed it down...and soon discovered he couldn't keep the neighborhood kids away.
Carrier, who worked as an upholsterer, began to modify his Naugahyde roll, sewing tubes inside it that would trap the water and help lubricate the slide. He also knew just who to take his new invention to: Wham-O, the company that had already tasted massive success with the Frisbee and the hula hoop.
Wham-O had a reputation for being friendly to novice inventors, giving them excellent terms on their creations. Just to be safe, though, Carrier patented his "aquatic play equipment" before handing it over to the company, who immediately saw the genius in it — provided a few changes were made.
The first was to ditch the Naugahyde in favor of plastic, and then to shorten its length to 25 feet. They finally released this new creation — now called the "Slip N Slide" — in 1961.
The response was incredible. Over 300,000 were sold in the first six months alone, and today more than 30 million have flown off shelves. It's become a summertime rite of passage for many kids, as it's a great — and cheap — way to beat the heat.
And it sure beats trying to wallow around on the concrete.
How To Throw The Perfect Slip N Slide Party
You might think that all you need to throw a great backyard bash is to turn the Slip N Slide on and watch all the kids flop around like fish out of water.
To be honest, that's kind of true. However, if you want to take the party to the next level, we've got some ideas for you.
Be sure to apply plenty of tear-free soap to the slide periodically as well.
You can spice up the slide by adding some games to it. For example, set up a few soft bowling pins at the end of the mat, and see who can get the best score on their slides.
If you have more than one slide, you can even link them together to give your kids even more runway to work with. Or, you can change what happens at the end: maybe they fall into the pool, or into a tub full of water balloons.
Be sure to apply plenty of tear-free soap to the slide periodically as well. This will make things even slipperier (and presumably sliderier), and you won't have to worry about anyone grinding to a halt halfway down.
Make sure the rest of the party is fun, as well. Serve plenty of refreshments (popsicles are always a big hit), and make sure everyone stays hydrated. Oh, and this should go without saying, but: sunscreen. Oceans and oceans of sunscreen.
If you combine all these things, you should set yourself up for a pretty swinging shindig. The only problem is how to get all these lousy kids to leave when it's over.
Are They Safe?
While Slip N Slides are undoubtedly fun, there have been some concerns raised over just how safe they are.
It's important to realize that the Slip N Slide is a toy designed for children — and it's largely safe for that intended purpose. There may be some bumps and bruises along the way, but kids should be OK.
The problem arises whenever anyone older than that tries to use it. Grown people have more weight behind them, which means they generate more momentum. That's all well and good — unless they happen to stop abruptly.
Doing so will throw off your balance, making you more likely to land awkwardly, and if you're drunk enough, you might not notice the damage until it's too late.
At least seven adults and one teenager have suffered severe injuries while using the toy. In fact, there was even a recall issued in 1993, urging anyone over the age of 13 not to use one.
Now, eight serious injuries in half a century is hardly an epidemic, so it's not like you're definitely going to end up in a wheelchair if you use one. Still, you should know that they're not without risks, and you should take precautions if you decide to thumb your nose at danger.
Make sure that you place it on a soft surface. Keep your grass tall, as short grass will barely lessen the impact when you flop down. Also, make sure that there aren't any obstructions in the path, and that the end of the slide is free from any potentially dangerous items.
This is probably going to fall on deaf ears if you're an adult playing on a Slip N Slide, but...don't drink while you do it. Doing so will throw off your balance, making you more likely to land awkwardly, and if you're drunk enough, you might not notice the damage until it's too late.
Now, drinking and watching kids belly-flop at high speeds? That's entertainment.