How to Make a Slip and Slide: 8 Steps
Introduction:
A slip and slide is a fun and exciting way to enjoy outdoor activities, especially during the hot summer months! Making your own slip and slide can be an easy and inexpensive project. In just 8 simple steps, you’ll have a fantastic homemade slip and slide that will provide hours of entertainment for kids and adults alike.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location
Find an open, grassy area with a slight incline for your slip and slide. Ensure there are no sharp rocks, sticks or other debris that may cause injury. The slope should not be too steep to avoid excessive speed and potential collisions.
Step 2: Gather Materials
For your slip and slide, you’ll need:
– A large plastic tarp (at least 10 feet long)
– A water hose
– A garden sprinkler (optional)
– Liquid soap or dish detergent
– Heavy-duty tape
– Pool noodles or foam pipe insulation (optional for side bumpers)
– Stakes or weights to secure the tarp’s corners
Step 3: Prepare the Tarp
Lay out the plastic tarp on the selected area, ensuring it’s as flat as possible with no wrinkles. Use stakes or weights to secure the corners of the tarp to keep it in place.
Step 4: Add Bumpers (Optional)
For an added safety feature, you can use pool noodles or foam pipe insulation as bumpers along each side of the tarp. Simply cut them to size, then use heavy-duty tape to attach them securely along both sides of the tarp.
Step 5: Attach Water Hose
Position a garden sprinkler near one end of the tarp so it sprays water across the entire length of your slip and slide. Alternatively, you can lay your water hose along one side of the tarp and poke holes into it to create a makeshift sprinkler system.
Step 6: Add Soap
Pour generous amounts of liquid soap or dish detergent across the tarp’s surface. This will create a slippery film for people to slide on, increasing the speed and excitement of the slide.
Step 7: Test the Slip and Slide
Before inviting others to join in, give the slip and slide a test run yourself. Adjust any problematic areas, such as adding more soap or water, repositioning bumpers, or dealing with any wrinkles in the tarp.
Step 8: Enjoy Your DIY Slip and Slide!
Now that your homemade slip and slide is ready to go, invite friends and family to join in the fun! Remember to follow proper safety measures and keep a close eye on young children while they play. Have a blast!
Conclusion:
With just a handful of materials and these simple steps, you can easily create your own backyard slip and slide for endless summer entertainment. This DIY project is not only cost-effective but also allows you to customize your slip and slide to suit your preferences. Enjoy hours of fun in the sun with this thrilling homemade water attraction!