Warm summers mean spending long afternoons relaxing in the backyard. As your little ones move from crawling to walking to running, you'll want to find ways to help them gain motor skills and burn off some of that extra energy before bedtime. A great way to do this is with the purchase of a toddler slide.
Slides are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so that you can find what best fits your needs in terms of the size of your yard, the age of your child and your budget. Of course, with so many options, it can be hard to choose the best toddler slide, especially if you haven't purchased one before.
For this reason, we created a comprehensive review and buyer's guide to some of the best products on the market. Before you purchase, learn about popular brands and their bestselling slides, and see how they stack up among customers.
Big kids love using the slides at the playground, but they are usually too tall or too crowded for toddlers to enjoy. Toddler slides are the perfect solution. Although they have all the fun of their larger counterparts, toddler slides are made of durable materials and are much smaller at only two or three feet tall, so that they are safer for kids.
These slides are usually small enough and portable enough that adults can move them around at their convenience. In fact, most models can be used both indoors and outdoors. Toddler slides are quite versatile as well. Some of them are basic slides, but many provide accessories like activities tables, ball pits and many other fun tools for kids to use.
Purchasing a slide for your toddler has several benefits. Most importantly, slides offer many health benefits. Climbing the ladder to the slide, and climbing the slide itself, promotes balance and coordination in your toddler and teaches spatial awareness. The act of climbing also promotes the strengthening of both the upper and lower body.
Of course, a toddler slide provides benefits for you as well. Since you can move it around on your own property, you can keep an eye on your child as you perform other tasks. It also allows you to control who else uses the slide, ensuring you don't expose your kids or family to unnecessary germs or other dangers.
A toddler slide also provides costs savings. Even though it requires an immediate purchase, it will save money and time since you won't need to use fuel to go to the park as regularly. Slides are also quite durable and can be passed down to other kids in the family or even the neighborhood.
Durable plastic is the most common material used to create toddler slides. The plastic is thick enough to support the weight of a growing child but is light enough to easily transport around the yard or even in the house. It is also safe enough to use in most temperatures and likely won't be too hot for little legs when the weather is warm. Even so, it is best to check the surface temperature before letting your child play on particularly warm days.
These slides can easily move when they are on a hard surface such as tile, so it is actually best to keep them on surfaces such as carpet or grass. This helps to keep them in place. However, be sure to put your slide on a leveled surface. Grassy areas on hills or that have holes in the ground can make the slide unstable and cause it to topple over while in use.
Most toddler slides are quite easy to assemble. The directions usually include both text and pictures in multiple languages so that you can follow them as easily as possible. If you do find yourself stuck on any step of the process, YouTube usually has plenty of videos that show you how to set up slides from a range of manufacturers.
Most slides don't require tools to assemble. The plastic parts usually have a design that easily locks into place. Since no tools are required, most people find they can put the slide together in just a couple of hours.
Whether you can check a toddler slide as part of your luggage when you fly depends on the airline and its rules regarding oversized packages and weight restrictions. Always contact your airline to verify before trying to take a toddler slide on a plane so that you don't miss your flight while trying to deal with luggage backups.
The slide itself will determine the age group. Most of them are made for children three and younger, but some are a bit larger and can accommodate children who are slightly older. No matter what size you choose, don't let children play on the slide until they can walk on their own. This will prevent a potentially dangerous fall.
Once you have a slide put together, you wouldn’t want to take it apart and put it together again. The best idea is to find a spot outside, in a garage or even in your child's bedroom, to store it once you put it together.
You must consider several factors when choosing a toddler slide. Most important is the age of your child. If you have a young child who is just starting to walk, it is important to choose something small enough that they cannot hurt themselves if they fall. Older toddlers can play on bigger equipment, and you may even find that purchasing a larger set means you get more years of use out of it.
When it comes to the slide itself, think about whether you want something basic or an entire playset. Basic slides are affordable and usually made of durable, high-quality plastic, but they can be hit or miss when it comes to how long they'll keep a toddler entertained. A full playset offers more entertainment options and will likely be a staple in your home for longer.
Regardless of whether you want a simple slide or an entire playset, consider if you want to keep it indoors or outdoors. Inflatable materials may be safer for smaller kids, but they can be a pain to re-inflate and are easier to damage.
Before choosing a slide, be sure to look at customer reviews and ratings, and look to see if there have been any safety issues with the product. Some slides also provide warranties for further peace of mind.
Step2 offers several types of playsets and toddler slides for children ages one to seven years old. For younger kids, there are brightly colored activity centers with slides that are under two feet high. For older kids, there are activity centers with sandboxes, climbing stations, taller slides and much more.
The company even partnered with Paw Patrol for one activity center. Prices range widely, so you can easily pick out something basic now and then upgrade if your child turns out to be an enthusiastic climber. Many playsets are large enough for multiple children to play at the same time.
A household name, Little Tikes offers 22 different climbers and slides for kids of all ages. Those with very young toddlers can spend less than $100 and find basic slides or junior climbing equipment that is challenging enough to aid in development but small enough to remain safe.
As children get older, parents can upgrade to adjustable playgrounds, water slides, ball pits and several other types of climbers that include slides on them. Many of the slides can be bundled together for more space to play as well.
For the most part, Sportspower caters to families with older children, but the company also offers several items that work for toddlers. Think classic metal swingset with attached plastic slides, swings, jungle gyms and even attached trampolines. These types of sets can be used by toddlers under supervision, and they are large and durable enough to grow with your family.
Sportspower also offers inflatable water slides and bounce houses in various sizes if you prefer something a bit softer for your kids to learn on. If you do choose something metal, remember to supervise the kids when the temperatures are hot.
If you want to turn your toddler into a water lover, you must check out the products provided by INTEX. INTEX is a top name in inflatable pools and spas for adults, but the company also caters to a tinier crowd. Its inflatable waterslides are small and portable, and the bright colors will keep the kids interested for hours.
The inflatable slides include small pools and other activity areas. With all the options provided by the company, you can enjoy your inflatable spa while the kids play on their inflatable slide right next to you.
Older toddlers will love the selection Swing-N-Slide has to offer. The company, which claims to put kids first, offers a wide variety of plastic slides that you can attach to your own swing set.
In addition to traditional slides, the company offers wavy slides, winding tube slides and a range of other options. Swing-N-Slide also sells wooden playsets that allow you to create an entire custom package for your toddlers to grow with.
Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, the Step2 Game Time Sports Climber features a climbing ladder, basketball hoop, soccer goal and, of course, a slide. The climber, which is made of brightly colored plastic, even comes equipped with a ball so that your little ones can practice their sports kicks. This Step2 climber is small enough to set up in the corner of a playroom but sturdy enough for outdoor use as well.
Pros
Cons
Weight | 26.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 30.5 x 62 x 42 inches |
Material | Plastic |
BPA-Free | Not listed |
Weight Limit | 60 pounds |
Age Range | 24 months - 6 years |
Available in fun shades of red, blue and green, the Step2 Sports-Tastic Activity Center Playset is a 3-in-1 activity center that includes a tethered ball, a small soccer goal, and a slide that is small enough for even your tiniest tots to crawl around on. This unit is the perfect size for small bedrooms or play areas inside the house, and it can be easily transported outside on a nice day.
Pros
Cons
Weight | 8 pounds |
Dimensions | 27 x 29 x 15.5 inches |
Material | Plastic |
BPA-Free | Not listed |
Weight Limit | Not listed |
Age Range | 12 months - 3 years |
Tons of inflatable fun, the Sportspower Twin Peaks Splash & Slide features two inflatable water slides, two water cannons, a splash pool and a climbing wall. As safe as it is fun, this inflatable slide is made of durable polyester and includes a PVC coating that adds even more strength. Your toddlers, older children, and even the adults can have hours of fun in the sun on this inflatable set.
Pros
Cons
Weight | 62 pounds |
Dimensions | 163.2 x 159.6 x 108 inches |
Material | Polyester and PVC |
BPA-Free | Not listed |
Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
Age Range | 3-8 years |
The Summit Slide by Swing-N-Slide is made of durable, high-density polyethylene plastic. It is just one of many popular components created by the company that can interconnect to create a playset for your toddlers and older children. This slide mounts to a 4-foot platform to create plenty of fun for your backyard. The scoop design and included handrails provide safety for those who are just learning how to use playground equipment.
Pros
Cons
Weight | 20 pounds |
Dimensions | 44.2 x 24.2 x 12.2 inches |
Material | Polyethylene plastic |
BPA-Free | Not listed |
Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
Age Range | 3-10 years |
Help your little ones get used to the water and have some fun in the sun with the INTEX Ocean Inflatable Play Center. This completely adjustable inflatable features one small pool, a large wading pool, a slide and an adorable inflatable palm tree, and the control valve allows you to decide what the perfect water flow is for your little one.
Pros
Cons
Weight | 14.11 pounds |
Dimensions | 17.8 x 14.2 x 5.1 inches |
Material | Plastic |
BPA-Free | Not listed |
Weight Limit | Not listed |
Age Range | 3-7 years |
My favorite toddler slide is the Step2 Game Time Sports Climber and Slide. The height is small enough that, with supervision, you can start your new walkers out on this playset, but it's still tall enough for your preschoolers to enjoy. The bright colors keep kids interested in the product, and while the slide itself can be hours of fun, the playset offers other options too. This provides further entertainment for one child or extra entertainment if you have multiple kids playing at the same time.
The climbing wall to the slide provides a way to improve both upper and lower body strength, and the basketball hoop and soccer goal help your kids develop better coordination. The playset includes a ball but will work just as well with any you already have in the playroom.
The benefits for the adults are plenty as well. Setting up the Step2 Game Time Sports Climber and Slide is quite easy when following the included directions. It typically only takes an hour or two. The playset itself is light enough that you can use it outdoors in nice weather, and the move it to the garage or an indoor playroom during rain or cooler temperatures. The entire set starts at just $89 and can be used for several years (more if you have more than one child).
I'm a mom myself. My kids are constantly crawling, walking, running and climbing on everything, and I wanted them to have something that was both fun and safer for them (and my furniture). I know from experience that a lot of kids get bored when they only have a basic slide, but I also knew I needed something that I could move around the house and yard, depending on what I needed to be doing while the kids played. When coupled with the excellent reviews I found for the Step2 playset, not to mention its affordable price, I knew it was the one.
This tiny roller coaster features an easy-to-assemble, 10-foot track with a high-backed car for riding. Non-slip steps and a recessed retainer make mounting the ride easy and safe, and kids can have hours of fun.
Featuring a water basin and plenty of pour spouts, this water wall's maze pieces are movable so that you and the kids can create new activities every day. The double-sided wall means more than one kid can play at a time, and a 13-piece accessory kit is included.
Bring art and letters into the kids' lives, too. This easel features magnetic letters and numbers to teach words and counting, and a large paperclip holds painting and drawing paper in place. Art trays can hold everything from markers to paints, and the easel folds up for easy storage.
Each of these three products can be the perfect addition to any slide or playset in your family room or backyard.
The best toddler slide for my family was the Step2, but your personal preference will depend on your family's needs. Regardless of which item you choose, remember to keep receipts in case something is missing from the package. Of course, kids can be picky, so if you aren't sure which one will get your toddler's interest the most, maybe you can make a special day of it and let him or her help you choose.
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