Slip-and-Slide Fun!
Jul 19, 2021
The start of the school year is right around the corner, but there is still time for a final hurrah! A fun and easy way to beat the heat and have a great time with your kids is to build your own slip-and-slide in your backyard.
The problem that many people quickly learn is that most slip-and-slides bought from a store are too short and thin, causing them to rip easily. Building your own slide will cost you less money and last far longer than one you’d buy off-the-shelf.
Here’s what you’ll need for your homemade slip-and-slide:
Find a long stretch of open grass for your slide and remove any rocks, sticks, or other obstructions from the path. A flat surface will work just fine, especially if you add a little soap to the water, but the steeper the hill, the wilder the ride.
After clearing the perfect spot, roll out your plastic sheet and smooth all the wrinkles out. Secure down all four corners with garden staples or tent stakes, bunching the plastic a little to keep it from ripping every time someone jumps on the slide. Tent stakes provide a more secure hold due to their length, but make sure they are hammered all the way into the ground so that nobody accidentally gets cut.
Now that the slip-and-slide is in place, it’s time to add the water. Turn the hose on at the top of the slide and wait a few minutes for the plastic to become completely soaked, or simply set up sprinklers down the length of the slide. Pour some baby shampoo onto the plastic for a fast ride! Plus, baby shampoo won’t burn your kid’s eyes like dish soap could.
That’s all it takes to build a slip-and-slide that will give your kids hours of summertime entertainment! Try riding down on pool floats for a smoother ride, and remember, stay safe and only one rider at a time.
Stop by your local Co-op for a new hose and sprinklers to get your summer party started! For more content like this, check out the latest issue of the Cooperator.
The problem that many people quickly learn is that most slip-and-slides bought from a store are too short and thin, causing them to rip easily. Building your own slide will cost you less money and last far longer than one you’d buy off-the-shelf.
Here’s what you’ll need for your homemade slip-and-slide:
- A roll of heavy 6 mil plastic
- Garden staples or tent stakes
- Water hose or sprinklers
- Bottle of baby shampoo
Find a long stretch of open grass for your slide and remove any rocks, sticks, or other obstructions from the path. A flat surface will work just fine, especially if you add a little soap to the water, but the steeper the hill, the wilder the ride.
After clearing the perfect spot, roll out your plastic sheet and smooth all the wrinkles out. Secure down all four corners with garden staples or tent stakes, bunching the plastic a little to keep it from ripping every time someone jumps on the slide. Tent stakes provide a more secure hold due to their length, but make sure they are hammered all the way into the ground so that nobody accidentally gets cut.
Now that the slip-and-slide is in place, it’s time to add the water. Turn the hose on at the top of the slide and wait a few minutes for the plastic to become completely soaked, or simply set up sprinklers down the length of the slide. Pour some baby shampoo onto the plastic for a fast ride! Plus, baby shampoo won’t burn your kid’s eyes like dish soap could.
That’s all it takes to build a slip-and-slide that will give your kids hours of summertime entertainment! Try riding down on pool floats for a smoother ride, and remember, stay safe and only one rider at a time.
Stop by your local Co-op for a new hose and sprinklers to get your summer party started! For more content like this, check out the latest issue of the Cooperator.