Water ride for children: This is how summer in the garden is really fun

summer trend
Clear the path! Mashed potatoes! This is how you turn the garden into a fun pool for children

Why roam far away when the water park is so close by? Water rides for children are the outdoor toy of the moment. What you should pay attention to when buying the slip mats and which models are suitable for the garden.

Even mom and dad become children again. Water slides are this summer’s fun tool. There is hardly a garden with a bit of lawn where people don’t slide, splash and spray. The PVC mats, which are several meters long, bring the fun pool home or to your own plot. A colorful bathing outfit, a water connection and a patch of grass are all you need to significantly shorten the way to the outdoor pool.

Water ride for children: you should pay attention to this when buying

If you want to get a water ride for the children, you should first walk around the garden. Most tracks are between five and nine meters long. So that sliding is really fun, a few meters should be planned for the run-up and behind the end of the slide. Brave water rats like to shoot over the target, in this case the end of the runway. One to two meters of buffers on the side can’t hurt either. Somehow the kids have to get back to the start. Since the water slides are only made of a few millimeters thick PVC, only (mowed and as level as possible) lawns are suitable for the wet and happy slides. With the appropriate technique, you land fairly softly if you throw yourself on the mat on your stomach or with a memory knee scrubber à la Erling Haaland.

The highlight of the water rides for children is the integrated sprinkler system. Alternatively, the track can also be irrigated differently. But more on that later. As a rule, water rides for the garden have two filler necks. One for the “sprinkler system” on one or both long sides and a second for a kind of water cushion at the upper end of the track. This should slow down the fastest sliding pros. When buying, you should make sure that the filler necks are as compatible as possible with the hose system. The water can get into the train without a suitable adapter. However, a lot often goes wrong. Another problem: In order to permanently spray the track with water, the water hose must be firmly connected to the track.

This is how a water ride for children works

The principle of a water ride for children is simple and easy to explain: the garden hose is attached to the ride with a plastic hose connector. Turn on the water and regulate the pressure so that the water lands on the track. Only the film of water makes it possible to slide on the PVC track. And off you go on the wild ride. Which brings us to an important note. Water rides should only be used on the stomach. Brave kids have great fun sliding on their knees. That is also possible. The most important rule of the game to avoid accidents with injuries: Never slide while standing!

There are these models: 5 water rides in comparison

1. Intex “Racing Fun” water slide

The Intex “Racing Fun” model is no ordinary water ride. First of all, you need a lot of air instead of water to prepare the approximately 560 centimeter long slide for sliding. Is the “Racing Fun” blown up together with the two mini surfboards with handles, the water hose can be connected. Due to the gradient at the start, the slide can also be used without a run-up. It’s also perfect for siblings who just have to agree on who’s going to race to the finish with which board. The “Racing Fun” is almost 120 centimeters wide and weighs around ten kilograms.

2. H2O GO! Double Slip & Slide

The price tip in this little comparison. That’s what the Slip & Slide by H2O GO! only about five meters long. The sprinklers were placed on one side and at the head of the water ride. That is enough to water the area permanently. A garden hose must be connected for this. An additional valve makes it easier and faster to drain the water. The highlight of this slide: Two kids can slide at the same time. Idea for the next children’s birthday party: the big water ride slide tournament. Nice: the Slip & Slide is also available as single slide or with three slides. Practical: All versions are supplied with a repair patch.

3. Zoomyo water slide mat XXL

The XXL water ride by Zoomyo. In addition to the mat, the scope of delivery includes two slide boards, an adapter for the garden hose and two plastic pegs to fix the track on the lawn. The water splashes onto the track from small holes on one long side. On the 140 centimeter wide slide there is room for a duel, for example between siblings. Small disadvantage of this slip mat: The XXL model is not suitable for small garden plots or plots of land.

4. Playtive water slide with sprinkler arch

Before the fun, the manufacturer of the Playful water ride added a little challenge. Because to prepare this water slide for splashing, you need a lot of breath. Both the border and the arc must be filled with air. The garden hose connects to a 1/2 inch valve on the sprinkler elbow. And after that: Let the water flow! A small bodyboard with handles provides additional sliding fun. The Playtive water ride is a solid five meters long. With a width of almost one meter, it is only designed for one child. Repair patches are also included here.

5. H2O GO! 2 water slide

In the final, two colorful llamas compete against each other in a direct duel. The two inflatable animals belong to 2-seater water slide from H2O GO!. Although it is only about five meters long, it can be used by children from the age of three. The water sprays from dozens of jets at the end of the track. Thanks to a black and white finish line, there is no doubt which llama came out on top in the boozy slide contest. Packed together, this water ride weighs only about two kilograms.

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