Make a slip 'n slide
Make a backyard slip 'n slide using a long plastic sheet, water, mild soap, and a gentle slope, with adult supervision for safety.
About this activity
Make a backyard slip 'n slide using a long plastic sheet, water, mild soap, and a gentle slope, with adult supervision for safety.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Walk with an adult and choose a grassy gentle slope at least 10 feet long that is free from pavement and pools.
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Step 2
Clear the chosen area by picking up sticks rocks and toys so the slide path is smooth.
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Step 3
Lay the long plastic sheet flat on the slope with the longest side running straight downhill.
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Step 4
Ask an adult to anchor the top edge of the sheet using rocks or stakes so it cannot slide down.
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Step 5
Smooth the plastic sheet down the slope to remove any big wrinkles or air pockets.
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Step 6
Secure the sides of the sheet with rocks or stakes every few feet so the edges stay flat.
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Step 7
Turn on the garden hose to a gentle spray setting near the top of the slide.
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Step 8
Wet the entire length of the plastic sheet from the top to the bottom so it becomes slippery.
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Step 9
Mix a small amount of mild liquid soap with water in a cup or bottle by stirring or shaking it closed.
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Step 10
Pour or sprinkle the soap mixture along the middle of the wet plastic sheet to make it extra slippery.
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Step 11
Put on your swimsuit or clothes that can get wet before trying the slide.
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Step 12
Have an adult check the slide one more time and stand nearby to supervise before anyone slides.
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Step 13
Slide feet-first from the top while staying low and keeping hands close to your chest for safety.
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Step 14
Share your finished backyard slip 'n slide project and a picture or story about it on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a backyard slip 'n slide?
Choose a long, gently sloped lawn free of rocks, sticks and roots. Lay a heavy-duty plastic sheet (6 mil or thicker) smooth and flat, overlapping if needed and securing edges with lawn stakes or tape. Wet the sheet thoroughly with a hose, then spread a thin layer of mild dish soap or baby shampoo diluted in water. Add a padded start area (pool noodle or foam) and have an adult supervise while children slide feet-first, one at a time.
What materials do I need for a backyard slip 'n slide?
You’ll need a long heavy-duty plastic sheet or tarp (6 mil+), a garden hose with spray nozzle, mild liquid soap or baby shampoo, lawn stakes or strong tape, pool noodles or foam padding for edges and start, scissors or utility knife, and a towel for drying. Optional: ground stakes or tarp clips to prevent shifting, sunscreen, and a basic first-aid kit. Always include adult supervision and check the area for hazards before use.
What ages is a backyard slip 'n slide suitable for?
Homemade slip 'n slides are best for children about 5 years and older who can follow safety rules and hold themselves upright when sliding. With very close adult supervision and gentler slopes, older toddlers (3–4) may join, but avoid for infants. Adjust water flow, slope and padding to match ability. Never allow rough play, head-first dives, or unsupervised use. Use common-sense judgment for each child’s coordination and comfort level.
What safety tips should I follow for a backyard slip 'n slide?
Always run the slide on grass with a gentle slope and clear the landing area of hazards. Children should slide feet-first, one at a time, with adult supervision. Keep speeds moderate by reducing slope and water pressure. Use padding at the start and edges, avoid concrete or hard surfaces, and check soap won’t irritate skin. Keep sunscreen and water nearby, limit playtime to prevent slips from fatigue, and stop immediately if anyone reports pain or injury.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of the long plastic sheet or stakes if they are hard to find?
Use a heavy-duty tarp, painters' plastic, or tightly taped-together contractor trash bags for the slide surface and substitute stakes by anchoring the top edge with large flat rocks, bricks, or an adult-held anchor as described in the instructions.
If the slide keeps wrinkling or water pools, what should we do to fix it?
Follow the steps to smooth the plastic sheet down to remove wrinkles, re-anchor the top edge with rocks or stakes, secure the sides every few feet, and set the hose to a gentle spray at the top so water runs downhill instead of pooling.
How can we adapt the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids choose a shorter, gentler slope, have an adult anchor and supervise closely and reduce the amount of soap, while older kids can use a longer slope, timed races, and the full soap mixture before sliding feet-first.
How can we extend or personalize the backyard slip 'n slide project?
Enhance it by adding a sprinkler at the top for continuous water, placing towels or an inflatable pool at the bottom for a soft landing, decorating the plastic sheet with washable paint, or creating target zones to aim for and then share the finished project on DIY.org.