Slides for Kids

At What Age Can Children Use a Slide?

Children from the age of 1 can enjoy the fun of slides with close parental supervision. It is recommended for younger toddlers to start off with shorter, lower slides, eventually moving on to taller slides as they grow and develop. Children ages 3-5 are at a developmental stage that allows them to handle taller slides, and they would greatly enjoy having the freedom to climb and slide independently. Children aged above 5 years old are able to use most garden slides.

Which Size Slide Is Right For My Child?

It is important, for both developmental and safety reasons, to ensure that you choose the right-sized slide for your child's current age, height, weight, and abilities. There are several important things to consider when making this decision. The height of the slide should be comfortably taller than the child, so a good starting point is to measure how tall your child is. The height of the slide platform is also important. Lower platform slides are better suited to younger children, while taller ones challenge older children. The length of the slide is another aspect to be considered, with longer slides providing a little more excitement for the child, shorter slides are better for beginners and young children. Every slide will have a recommended weight limit provided by the manufacturer, so it is important to find this recommendation and know your child's weight before purchasing, to ensure safe playing for your child.

While it is always highly recommended to read through the specifications of each product before purchasing to make sure it's right for your child, we understand that it's helpful to have a starting point in your search for a slide. We have put together a handy chart to help you decide which slide is appropriate for your child, and give you an idea of what to look for:

Garden Slide Safety Tips

While the main point of purchasing a slide for your child/children is for them to have fun, there is always the matter of safety at the forefront of every parent's mind. Here are a few tips to ensuring your kids are safe while they play:

• Slide Placement: Where possible, it is best to set up the slide on level ground to ensure stability and avoid tipping. Avoid placing it near fences, walls, or hard surfaces to minimise crashes and bumps when coming down the slide.
• Surface: Soft surfaces like grass, sand, or rubber mulch work best beneath the slide, again to minimise injury in the event of falls.
• Supervision: It is strongly recommended to supervise young children at all times while using the slide.
• Clothing: Looser clothing or jackets with hoods could cause snagging and subsequent injury when playing, so it's best to change these types of clothing while using the slide.
• Footwear: Bare feet or non-slip shoes work best to allow grip and minimise slips.
• Rules: Teaching your children to slide feet-first, one at a time, and wait their turn is a good way to ensure everyone plays safely.

Are Garden Slides Good for a Child's Development?

In short, yes! Garden slides and play centres with slide sets are a great choice of outdoor toy, not only for the fun and play element but also for your child's learning and development. By incorporating a children's slide into your family's playtime, children have the opportunity to learn and understand more about the world around them. The sensation in their tummy when they slide down teaches them important lessons about gravity and weight, while also evoking courage and excitement. The slide invites children to practice social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and tolerance.