When it comes to water play, water slides are a staple in every child’s life. If you’ve ever taken your child to a public water park or a backyard birthday party in the Summer, then you’ll be well familiar with the hours of fun involved. They are an excellent investment that kids of a wide variety of ages can enjoy. We’ve rounded up some of the best inflatable water slides available on the market today for you.
Little Tikes River Race Water Slide
This Little Tikes inflatable slide also features a climbing wall, along with a surprise dump bucket that pours water down on kids climbing the wall.
Best Overall
Double slides mean double fun! The Little Tikes Inflatable River Race Water Slide provides hours packed with fun and features your kids will love!
Best Money can Buy
If you want the best inflatable water slide money can buy, the Little Tikes River Race Water Slide is our premium choice. It’s super durable and well made, ideal for birthday parties and bringing the water park fun home!
Best for the Pool
Are you looking for an inflatable water slide for the pool rather? The Intex Water Slide is the perfect purchase to keep your kids entertained this summer. With a maximum weight of 176 lbs, even the adults can join the fun!
Best for Toddlers
The best inflatable water slide for toddlers is the Bestway – H2OGO! Splash Tower Kids Inflatable Water Park. It’s lower in height compared to the other slides and one of the easiest to climb. The small splash pool is also perfect for toddlers too.
Best Large Inflatable Water Slide
Don’t waste time scanning through large inflatable water slides trying to figure out which is best; the Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure is the best large inflatable water slide on this list. It features an inflatable slide, a massive splash pool, and even a bounce house!
Best Budget Inflatable Water Slide
If you’re on a tight budget and just after the best cheap inflatable water slide, then the Bestway – H2OGO! Splash Tower Kids Inflatable Water Park is our most affordable slide featured on our list.
Why Buy an Inflatable Water Slide?
If you’re wondering whether or not buying an inflatable water slide is a wise purchase decision, we’ve put together a few reasons why purchasing one is a good idea!
How to Keep your Inflatable Water Slide Clean and Mold-Free
They’re susceptible to mold if not dried out properly before being stored away, as with all water-play toys. To sustain the lifespan of your inflatable water slide, as well as protect your children from germs, be sure to clean it between each use thoroughly. If you’re unsure about the best way to do this, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide for you.
Drain First, Then Clean.
Before you give your inflatable slide a quick scrub, drain out the existing water in the splash pond because it will be dirty and full of germs. Trying to clean something with contaminated water is a pointless exercise.
Wash with Warm Water and Soap
Use a mild detergent and gently scrub the surface of the slide with a soft mop. A vinyl cleaner is ideal, but dish soap will work well if you don’t have any. Follow it up with a quick hose down to remove all the soap residue.
Let it Dry Completely Before Storing
This is an important step. If you don’t, your inflatable slide will grow mold. After you’ve cleaned it, drain out any remaining water and re-inflate the slide. Let it stand out for a few hours to dry properly. Keeping it inflated will help speed up the drying process.
Disinfect Often
Once your slide has dried, spray it with an antiseptic to kill any remaining germs. Lysol makes disinfecting wipes that work very well and are used by party rental businesses. When cleaning and disinfecting, be sure to avoid bleach and products containing bleach. While vinyl is a durable material, bleach can fade your slide’s color and weaken the material.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve rounded up a few of the most frequently asked questions around purchasing and using an inflatable water slide. Got a question we haven’t answered here? Leave a comment, and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
How long do inflatable water slides last?
This largely depends on how you care for and maintain your water slide. While a more expensive inflatable water slide is also likely to be made of more durable material. With that said, on average, inflatable water slides last around 3-4 summers.
What are inflatable water slides made of?
Usually, inflatable water slides are made of a strong PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) or nylon.
How much water do inflatable water slides use?
In general, an inflatable water slide uses 1 gallon of water every minute; this is the equivalent of a garden hose at quarter flow. Most slides don’t re-circulate the water and require a constant flow of freshwater to keep them slippery.
How long does it take to inflate?
Less than 5 minutes. The exact time it takes to inflate will depend on the size of the inflatable slide and the power of the blower. With that said, the Blast Zone Pirate Bay inflatable water slide only takes 2 minutes to inflate.
How do I fix the seam on inflatable water slides?
Before you fix the same, ensure that the inflatable water slide is completely dry. You’ll need to repair the slide while it is deflated, so place a piece of duct tape on it while it’s still inflated so that you can easily find the spot later.
If your water slide doesn’t come with a repair kit, you’ll need to get a needle and some strong thread. First, you’ll sew the seam closed. Try sewing as close together as you can.
Next, you’ll need to patch the area. Cut a patch at least ½ inch bigger than the size of the tear. Then, spread a small amount of glue across the patch and place it over the area you’ve sewed. Allow the glue top to dry for at least 24 hours before inflating the slide again.
Can adults go on an inflatable water slide?
Yes, many of these water slides are sturdy enough for adults to use. While they weren’t designed for adult use, they can accommodate the weight of an adult. We advise following the age recommendations listed by each manufacturer to sustain the life of your inflatable water slide.
Can you put an inflatable water slide on rocks?
No. You should set up the water slide on an area that is relatively flat with a smooth surface. Grass, concrete, or asphalt are all suitable surfaces. Aside from rocks, you should also avoid setting up over any other sharp objects, toys, sprinklers, sticks, etc.
Is there a weight limit for inflatable water slides?
Yes. The specific weight limit will vary between manufacturers as well as each model. All the weight limits have been listed on each of the inflatable water slides which we reviewed.
Are inflatable water slides safe for 2-year-olds?
Yes, inflatable water slides are generally safe for 2-year-olds – provided that you supervise them constantly. You should never leave a two-year-old unattended in a body of water, no matter how shallow.