Make a Long Slip and Slide
One of the joys of summer recreation is the slip and slide. It's a fun way to beat the heat, be silly, and generally have a great time with friends. Sure, you can buy one at the store, but it's simple and inexpensive to make one at home. We'll show you how.
Contents
Steps
Fast and Cost Effective
- Get sheeting. Go to the nearest all-purpose hardware store, and buy a 10x100 foot (3 x 30 meter) plastic sheeting roll for about $5.00 USD.
- Look for it in the paint supply section.
- Roll out the plastic. While it's best on a long hill—gravity is your friend—even flat land will work.
- Weigh it down with anything that won't hurt if you hit it.
- Sandbags are one way to go, though you could also use water balloons—just don't expect them to stay put for very long!
- Get it wet with a hose. Soak that slide along its full length, and keep the hose at the top so that you get continuous fresh water supply.
- A rainy day works well too! Just don't play in the water if there are thunderstorms in the area—lightning could put a hole in your slip and slide, and make short work of sliders, too.
- Start sliding!
The Enhanced Slide Version
- Get sheeting. Go to the nearest all-purpose hardware store, and buy a 10x100 foot (3 x 30 meter) plastic sheeting roll for about $5.00 USD.
- Look for it in the paint supply section.
- Get a roll of duct tape, too.
- Roll out the plastic sheeting so it is flat.
- Cut the sheet in two. With a pair of scissors, cut the plastic sheet in the middle, from one end to the other.
- Lay the two pieces so they overlap slightly. Your new slide will be about 200 feet (60 meters) in length.
- Duct tape the bottom of the meeting point together.
- Note: if you like a wider slide, just buy two rolls instead of one. Instead of cutting the sheet in half, just tape the two full-width sheet together.
- Slide. There are 2 options here:
- If you have a large hill in your yard, lay it down the hill, wet it down with the hose, and enjoy.
- Wait for a rainy day, go to the biggest hill you can find, roll it out, and enjoy.
Tips
- Use soap or oil for a more FUN slip and slide experience
- Be careful with rocks if using them to weigh it down.
- Keep on the slide. Grass is just not very slippery compared to the slip and slide.
- Use rocks to weigh it down at the top and if you have enough, duct tape the edge to the grass every 10'.
- You can use the steaks to hold the ends down. Just push them all the way into the ground besides using rocks because the rocks can scratch you.
Warnings
- This can be dangerous. Make sure you set it up in a safe manner.
- Make sure you check up on whether your park will allow a slip and slide if you're going there. At some places it is illegal because it can burn the grass if left on too long.
Related Articles
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- Do Intry Mintry
- Play Cover the Cones
- Make an Outdoor Hideout
- Set Up a Slip 'N Slide
