One of the greatest inventions for backyard fun must be the inflatable water slide and, in recent years, the industry has experienced amazing advances in ingenuity, size, safety, and just plain AWESOMENESS. If you are looking for the coolest, quality-made backyard inflatable water slides on the market, you are in the right place! Behold our ‘best of’ list for backyard inflatable water slides.
Top 10 Best Backyard Inflatable Water Slides List
(The links below will take you the each slide’s review.)
- Shark Park Inflatable Water Park
- 2 in 1 Ultra Combo Pack: Water Park and Bounce House Included
- Rocky Mountain River Race Inflatable Water Slide and Bouncer
- Pirate Blaster Inflatable Water Park
- Deluxe Inflatable Water Slide Park (5 Features Included!)
- Crocodile Inflatable Waterslide and Bounce House
- Sidewinder Falls Inflatable Water Slide
- Twin Falls Inflatable Backyard Water Park
- Tropical Marble Inflatable Water Slide
- 18-Foot Retro Inflatable Water Slide
History of Backyard Inflatable Water Slides
Oh, the good old days. As kids, we used to spread a whole roll of trash bags onto the grass and run hose water down it. We would run and slide down our makeshift waterslide.
Eventually, the Slip N’ Slide brand slip and slides emerged on the market and mums all over the world stopped wondering what had been happening to their trash bags! Slip N’ Slide still makes backyard slides that keep children entertained for hours. Below, I have included information on where to buy your very own brand name Slip ‘N Slide. The story does not end here! Slip N’ Slides are pretty epic, but leave it to millennials to think bigger.
In the early ’90s, personal playground sets popped up in the backyards of most middle-class American homes. These permanent playground fixtures were all the rage. A child of the 90s, I remember thinking my parents were bringing recess home with us when we got our first playground set! As summer heated up, playground sets did as well.
Kids on every block were aiming sprinklers at their playground sets to avoid burning their feet. Eventually, some brilliant child ran a hose down the slide of the playground set and the first backyard water slide was created!
Voila! I am sure these makeshift water slides caused more than a few injuries. After all, the plastic slides affixed to backyard playground sets are not designed to be more slippery than they are when dry. Add water, and you can imagine what happens.
After more than a few broken arms and many cases of grass rash, the inflatable water slide entered the market! Today, we have inflatable palaces with water slide towers and even bounce houses with 2 story high inflatable water slides!
My have we come a long way. From slip and slide to WAY UP HIGH!
Slip and Slides-Early Backyard Water Slides
Slip and Slides are still a fun way to keep cool and entertain the kiddos on a hot summer afternoon. If you do not want to invest in a backyard water slide of your own, you could make your own Slip and Slide, just like we did back in the day. Enlisting the help of your children for the Slip and Slide assembly is a great way to spend some quality time together.
DIY Slip and Slide
In the YouTube video below, posted by BabyLeague, DIY Dad explains how to make your very own Giant Backyard Slip and Slide. With a handful of items from your local hardware store, your kids will be slipping and sliding in no time! For your convenience, here is the list of products needed to build your own slip and slide: (with links for your convenience)
- Grass Hill or Slope
- Painter’s Plastic
- Ground Stakes (The tops of these stakes lay flat once hammered into the ground so you can avoid injuries if a rider runs over a ground stake.)
- Water Source (either your garden hose or a sprinkler)
- Bubble Solution (Baby Oil or Tear-Free Baby Wash mixed with water)
- Water Tubes or Mats (Optional)
Watch the video for assembly instructions.
If you prefer reading about how to build an at-home Slip and Slide, refer to WikiHow’s How to Make a Long Slip and Slide.
Where to Buy- Slip and Slides
If you are not feeling all that handy, it is okay! Slip N’ Slide (the brand) still makes a great, quality product. Honestly, their products have become staples in American family homes. The traditional single rider slip N’ slide product is a thing of the past! Now, Slip N’ Slide makes double, even triple, rider Slip and Slides, as well as Extreme Slip and Slides.
Slip N’ Slide Triple Racer
Slip N’ Slide Wave Rider Double
Slip N’ Slide Single Rider
Why Purchase a Backyard Inflatable Water Slide
Inflatable backyard water slides are great for graduation parties, birthday parties, Fourth of July gatherings or just a fun day in the sun.
Having your own inflatable water slide at your kids’ birthday party will make you the coolest parents on the block! Your child will also gain major popularity points with his friends after his birthday party goes down as the top party of the summer.
Waterslides are also great for adult gatherings, as they provide a wonderful activity to keep the children busy. A designated adult should always be supervising children at the water slide, but if you implement the safety bracelet strategy discussed below, all partygoers will have a chance to enjoy the adult party.
Here is a great YouTube video of a group of friends enjoying an afternoon of fun after renting the world’s tallest inflatable water slide for their very own backyard!
Although lots of fun was had to make this video, I do not suggest using dish soap to add slippage to your slides. Especially for younger children, making inflatable slides any more slippery than they already are could be dangerous.
Also, going headfirst is not suggested on any water slides, as most catch pools are too shallow for a headfirst entry. Remember to follow all safety rules outlined in each water slide manual, as well as the safety suggestions discussed in the following section of this article.
Hope you enjoyed the video! If you have any videos of your children enjoying their backyard inflatable water slide, drop a note in the comments. I would love to post some of your videos, especially if you decide to purchase one of our recommended products.
Safety of Backyard Inflatable Water Slides
Those of you with a pool and an inflatable water slide in your backyard should always hire two lifeguards to supervise children at your gatherings. If you can only afford to hire one, have the lifeguard supervise children in the pool and use the safety bracelet system (discussed below) to ensure proper supervision of children at the water slide.
Safety Bracelet System
Although supervision around any sort of water feature is ALWAYS recommended, inflatable water slides can be easier to supervise than a pool, as the water is usually no deeper than knee-high and fewer children can use the slide at one time.
We recommend having a designated adult, a.k.a. the slide watcher, at the water slide, while children are in the backyard. The safety bracelet system allows all adults to enjoy the party equally while providing peace of mind that the children are supervised.
Purchase a bright-colored wrist band. For example, this is the product we use at our parties:
Every thirty minutes, a new adult gets to put on the wristband and supervise the children on the water slide. Each adult ends up with one or two shifts, depending on the size of your gathering. This allows for maximum socializing time with other partygoers. Children should be told at the start of the party to look for the adult with the wristband if they need help on the water slide.
Rent or Buy Backyard Inflatable Water Slides
Renting bounce houses and inflatable water slides is possible, but it is expensive. Thumbtack.com reports the national average cost to rent an inflatable as follows:
However, prices differ depending on whether you rent a dry (bounce house), wet (water capable), or combination inflatable. Wet inflatables and combination inflatables are priced higher than dry inflatables.
For a more in-depth analysis of rental cost, click here.
To check average rental costs in your zip code, use Thumbtack, Inc.’s rental cost calculator.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Backyard Inflatable Water Slide
- Well-Made, Quality Product
- Safe Product
- Age Appropriate
- Variety of Features (depending on what activities you want your inflatable to include)
- Affordability
- Ease of Assembly
Some inflatables come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This can be very useful if you receive a defective product or the product breaks soon after purchase. (Aside from normal wear and tear, obviously!) Remember to keep the instruction manual and any warranty paperwork included inside your inflatable purchase packaging.
How to Make Our ‘Best of’ List
Our list contains inflatable water slides which meet and exceed the criteria in ALL of the following categories:
1. Well-Made, Quality Product
The inflatable water slide is quality-made, will stay inflated as long as needed and will not fade in the sun. If the company manufacturing a toy has a bad reputation, its product will not make our list. Materials used to construct the products on our list are sturdy, tear-resistant, and able to withstand a mob of high energy children for hours!
2. Safe Product
Each inflatable water slide on our list has met the following standards for safety:
No Choking or Puncture Hazards
Slides are free from sharp objects, as well as detachable objects that may pose a choking hazard to young children.
Easily Supervised
All water slides are tested for solo adult supervision. In other words, the slide must be designed in such a way that a single adult can observe every child using the product at the same time, from a mostly fixed position.
In the time it takes to supervise different compartments, divided by barriers obstructing the supervisor’s view, a child may drown. Even if the risk is small, it is unacceptable. Therefore, products with features that include hidden compartments or barriers between sections are not included in our list.
Appropriate Rails and Barriers
Inevitably, rubber and water make for a slippery surface so proper rails are very important to ensure safety. Each water slide is slippery in the appropriate places, like on the slide itself. However, handrails, climbing walls, and other features attached to waterslides must be constructed with a surface easily gripped by children.
Proper barriers at the height of the slide and other ‘high off the ground’ features are necessary to prevent falls to the surrounding area. All slides included in our list include all these safety features, reducing the risk of injuries.
NOTE: No matter how safe a product is, when water is involved, supervision is mandatory. A child can drown in less than 3 inches of water. Always have a designated supervisor when children are using a water-related product.
3. Age Appropriate
Every inflatable water slide on our list is fun for children, no matter the skill level. Although, children who are not able to walk may require assistance for some of the bigger slides and taller features.
Most inflatables are not able to hold twenty twelve-year-olds at a time. In fact, the product will start to deflate and this may cause injury. Be careful to watch weight requirements on the slides, as some of the smaller slides are not made for children over a certain age.
Each slide has different age suggestions. Some features, like a ring toss, may not keep older children entertained. On the other hand, a climbing wall may be too difficult for younger children. Keep these potential situations in mind when deciding on a final purchase.
4. Variety of Features
All inflatables on our list have, at the very least, an awesome water slide. However, many of the products include other water features, such as climbing walls, bouncy compartments, and more. The more features, the more children a product will entertain at one time. However, some features may be too difficult for the youngest children. Please be aware of your child’s abilities and purchase accordingly.
All slides have fun colors, cool features, innovative designs, or all the above! Each is handpicked for its superb ability to provide hours of entertainment and fun in the sun.
5. Affordable
We get it! No one wants to break the bank for a children’s party, but these products can be used at every gathering you have throughout the summer, potentially for many years to come.
The products on our list are the most affordable, quality inflatable water slides on the market. Slides priced for extremely cheap prices, are usually severely lacking in quality and safety.
If you decide to buy a slide at a clearance price, do not be surprised when it pops in the middle of your party! Trust me, I have seen it happen. (I think my cousin still has nightmares of her son balling his eyes out, with twenty other 4-year-olds frowning in the background, twenty minutes into his birthday bonanza.) Not a fun memory, but we are thankful no one was hurt.
Point is, you get what you pay for when it comes to inflatable water slides but investing in a quality slide will provide entertainment for many summers to come!
6. Ease of Assembly
This one is self-explanatory. The assembly directions must be clear for a slide to make our list. An instructional video gains brownie points…or should I say gains a fish? 😉
The Scale of Fish
Dependent on performance during at-home testing, each water slide is assigned a specific ranking for each of the five categories listed above. All slides included on this list have received at least 3 fish in every category. Rankings are assigned using a scale of 1-5 fish, as outlined in the following table:
Without further ado, here is our detailed list of the best inflatable water slides for months of backyard gatherings to come!
10 Best Backyard Inflatable Water Slides of 2019
1. Shark Park Inflatable Water Park Review
Slide by Blast Zone
- Water Slide comes out of Giant Shark Head
- 80 square foot catch pool doubles as a ball pit. For a great deal on bouncy pit balls, click here.
- TIP: Fill catch pool with water and bouncy pit balls for ultimate fun!)
- Crawl tunnel feature included, underneath water slide
- Very well-made material, resistant to sun damage. If taken care of, this product will last for many years.
Note: Blast Zone’s Shark Park received only 4 fish in the ‘Safe Product ‘Category because the Crawl Tunnel feature is not visible from all angles, making supervision a little more complicated.
PRICE: $599.99 (As of July 14th, 2019)
This price may seem high, but I have seen this inflatable last for over six years of summer gatherings. The price is reasonable for such a quality-made, durable inflatable.
Where to Buy:
2. 2 in 1 Ultra Combo Pack: Water Park and Bounce House Included Review
Slide by Banzai
THE GOLDEN FISH!
- Climb ‘N Bounce Clubhouse and Water Park Included
- Bounce House includes: 2 dry slides, 2 basketball hoops, climbing wall, and bouncy area
- Water Park includes: 3 sports activities: volleyball, basketball, and water polo
- Curved water slide and waterfall included in the water park
- Recommended ages: 5-12. (In our experience, this inflatable is best for ages 3-8.)
- Only one blower included with this product. However, each unit only takes 3 minutes to inflate.
Here is a comical, yet informative, YouTube review from Derly Mejia:
Price: $685.19 (As of July 14, 2019) This is a great price for two great units! For less than 50% more than the average cost of an inflatable slide, a full-size bounce park is included! You do not want to miss this deal! Plus, this product received five stars in ALL categories.
Where to Buy:
3. Rocky Mountain River Race Inflatable Water Slide and Bouncer Review
Slide by Little Tikes
- This inflatable includes an awesome climbing wall sandwiched between two waterslides.
- As kids climb the wall, a bucket of water dumps randomly onto their heads.
- Product is one of the smaller inflatables on our list, capable of holding only 4 children at a time. The maximum combined weight is 350 lbs.
- Dimensions- 5.3ft L X 5.5ft W X 3.4ft H
- Due to the smaller size and lighter weight capacity, we suggest use by ages 2-6 y.o.
Note: Rocky Mountain River Race only received 3 fish in the ‘Well-Made, Quality Product’ Category because, after a year or so of use(depending on how rough your children are), the seams around the grips on the climbing wall may start to come loose.
In the following YouTube video, TotsToyCollector demonstrates how easy the Rocky Mountain River Race Inflatable is to set up:
Price: 349.99 (On sale right now! Price as of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
4. Pirate Blaster Inflatable Water Park Review
Slide by Blast Zone
- Pirate-themed inflatable water slide/bounce house
- The unit includes dual water cannons and a crawl tunnel
- Also included: sprayer assembly with flow regulator, ground stakes, and a UL Blower with a 25-foot cord and GFCI
- Weight limit: 600 lbs
- Recommended ages: 3+
- Dimensions: 20ft X 12ft X 8ft
Note: The pirate blaster inflatable slide/bounce house is one of the best products on the market. Unfortunately, we could only award 4 fish in the ‘Safe Product’ Category because supervision by one adult is difficult. The dark safety netting around the bounce house distorts the supervisor’s line of sight and the splash area on the side of the water slide, as well as the crawl tunnel, is not visible from all angles. However, this product received 5 fish in ALL other categories and we HIGHLY recommend it.
Price: 599.99 (As of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
5. Deluxe Inflatable Water Slide Park (5 Features Included!)Review
The Golden Fish
- Features: Climbing Wall, Water Slide, Bounce House, Ring Toss, and Splash Pool
- Air Pump and carrying case included. Blows up in minutes.
- Constructed of heavy-duty nylon
- Dimensions: 10.8ft X 17.6ft X 7.5ft
Note: This product received 5 fish in all categories!
Price: 529.99 (As of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
6. Crocodile Inflatable Waterslide and Bounce House Review
Slide by Action Air
The Golden Fish
- 12-month warranty
- Approved with a CPC (Children Product Certificate)
- Features: water slide, climbing wall, water gun, and splash pool
- thick, durable material
- Inflates and Deflates in 3 minutes or less
- Air leak from the seams is necessary because the product is constantly inflated, stops the product from becoming over-inflated
- Includes air blower, water tube, repair patches, lawn stakes, and a portable carrying bag
- Dimensions: 14.8ft (L) X 10.5ft (W) X 7.8ft (H)
- Maximum weight: 200 lbs
This YouTube video, by Kristian Simpson, shows two kids playing on the Action Air Inflatable:
Price: 389.99 (As of July 14, 2019)
Note: This product received 5 fish in all categories!
Where to buy:
7. Sidewinder Falls Inflatable Water Slide Review
Slide by Banzai
Features: Crawl Tunnel, Slide, Sprinklers, and two Water Cannons
- Constant air blowing motor inflates the unit less than 3 minutes
- 2 anchor weight bags and 9 ground stakes included providing stability
- Constructed with DuraTech materials for durability
- Banzai claims the product can hold 8 children at one time, but we do not suggest more than 6 children weighing 100 pounds each at one time.
- Recommended ages: 5 and up (Weith proper supervision, 3 and 4-year-olds can also enjoy this inflatable)
Note: Sidewinder Falls Inflatable only received 4 fish in the ‘Affordable’ Category because, at this time, it is priced higher than similar products of the same quality. However, 5 fish were awarded in all other categories, making this product a great choice for summer fun!
This YouTube video, by the Droesslers, shows a family unboxing, setting up, and playing on the Sidewinder Falls Inflatable Water Park:
Price: 650.00 (As of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
8. Twin Falls Inflatable Backyard Water Park Review
Slide by Kahuna
- Features: Double lane, side by side water slides, basketball hoop (ball included), climbing wall, sprinklers, and water cannon
- Water slides are 8.5 feet long
- Double-stitched seams, high-quality PVC fabric, and double tube wall thickness
- Continuous high-speed blower included: inflates product in 2 minutes then keeps the water slide inflated during use
- Dimensions: 13ft x 11ft x 8.5ft
- This product is bigger than the first inflatable slides on our list. Therefore, older children can have fun on this slide. We recommend ages 5-13 years old.
Note: Twin Falls Inflatable Water Slide only received 4 stars in the ‘Well-Made, Quality Product’ and ‘Safety’ Categories because it’s construction poses a tipping hazard. The climbing wall is positioned on the side, and if a heavier child is climbing the wall, it may cause the unit to start tipping over. A proper weight balance should be observed.
Price: $559.99 (As of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
9. Tropical Marble Inflatable Water Slide Review
Slide by TentandTable
- Features: 2 side by side water slides
- Dimensions: 27ft L x 9ft W x 15ft H
- Maximum recommended weight of 200 pounds
- Includes constant flow electric blower, PVC bag, 14 ground stakes, repair kit, and glue
- Vinyl is double, triple, and in some areas, 6-way box stitched for durability
- Inflates in minutes
- Fully netted protection walls and large viewing windows for proper supervision
- This is one of the bigger slides on our list. As a result, we do not recommend it for children under the age of five. However, children up to 14 years old can enjoy this water slide.
Note: This inflatable received only 3 fish in the ‘Variety of Features’ and ‘Affordable’ Categories. It lost points in the features category as it only has waterslides. Also, it was marked down in the affordable category because it is priced significantly higher than the other inflatables on our list. However, it is a much bigger inflatable and very well-made.
Price: $2,399.99 (As of July 14, 2019)
Where to Buy:
10. 18-Foot Retro Inflatable Water Slide Review
Slide by TentandTable
- Heavy-duty puncture and flame resistant materials with double to quadruple stitches, to prevent water from seeping inside.
- Manufactured with ’15-ounce Plato “Lite and Strong” Vinyl with super-tough 1000 denier base material’
- Includes a constant flow electric 1.0 HP Zoom air blower
- Fully enclosed protection for safety, easy viewing angles for proper supervision
- Dimensions: 35ft L x 15ft W x 18ft H.
- Recommended maximum occupancy of 2
- Includes PVC Bag, Ground Stakes, and a Repair Kit
- This slide is the closest to a commercial inflatable water slide on our list.
Note: This inflatable received only 3 fish in the ‘Variety of Features’ and ‘Affordable’ Categories. It lost points in the features category as it only has waterslides. Also, it was marked down in the affordable category because it is priced significantly higher than the other inflatables on our list. However, it is a much bigger inflatable and very well-made.
Price: $3,999.99 (As of July 14, 2019) Limited stock available.
Where to Buy:
So there you have it! These are the best backyard inflatable water slides on the market.
If you want your kids to have the coolest summer swimsuits, check out our ‘best of’ swimsuits lists:
Best Toddler Boys’ Swimsuits – Summer 2019
Best Toddler Girl’s Swimsuits – Summer 2019
Please share your experience with any of these products in the comments section below. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Have a great Summer and remember to BE SAFE and WATCH YOUR KIDS AROUND WATER.
-Ashley Aquatics
Thank you so much for this fabulous site. With two young ones at home I cannot begin to tell you how valuable this information is. How do we contact you for lessons
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you and the two little ones have a blast this summer!
Incredible site so very informative. THANK YOU
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the rest of your Summer!
When I was looking for inflatable slides I was always in shock at the cost! Thank you for posting these well worth products! It’s always nice to know about durability and warranties when spending a decent amount of money.
So important to buy a product that will last for years to come. Enjoy your Summer!
Best water safety information site I have found. THANK YOU
Thank you, Janis! Happy to hear you find the content useful.
Great reviews! Love the rating fish!
Thank you for stopping by!
Wow! Thank you for such a thorough article about water slides. I never would have thought of all of that.
What can you do when your children are past the age of using the water slide? Do people buy and sell used water slides, or keep them for Their children’s children? I guess since the water slides come with repair kits, and they are made of such strong material, they could last a very long time.
I think a water slide would make children very happy and give them something fun to do with their friends. The crocodile one looks especially affordable while still offering a lot of good features. I will keep this in mind in case any of my relatives or friends have children because this could be a good gift for like a baby shower or something. Like hey look when they get old enough they will be able to use this water slide!
Absolutely Charles!
Water slides would be a wonderful gift for baby showers or birthdays! The greatest feature is that kids from ages 1-13 can enjoy many of these slides. That is A LOT of years to get quality use out of a product.
I have seen slides handed down to nieces and nephews of the next generation in my family/ However, in Arizona, we tend to use our waterslides daily so they are pretty beaten up after ten years of fun in the sun. If you were to use the slide occasionally, maybe in a cooler climate, they will definitely stand the test of time.
Repair kits are very handy and local pool supply shops sell additional repair patches if you run out of the ones that come with the slide a few years down the road. If anyone is looking for a place to buy replacement patches online, let me know and I will post a link on the site.
Thank you for stopping by and please do share!
Wow! One of these is definitely going to be the hallmark of my kid’s next birthday celebration. Inflatable water slides are awesome especially when you allow kids to have their best fun with it. You have given some nice suggestions of the inflatable water slides and in going to place more priority on safety when making a buying decision. Also, getting a lifeguard too is germane as you emphasized on the need for them. Thanks for this
Thanks for reading! Glad you found some ideas for waterslides for your kids. If you are in the valley area of Phoenix AZ, we do private lifeguarding! For more information, visit Private Swim Lessons in Scottsdale AZ
These water slides are pretty amazing. We’ve come a long way in the past 30 years from the days of slip and slides to these inflatable agrocrags of fun. I agree Shark Park looks like the best from your list but safety is really important as well so something like the Rocky Mountain River looks like a pretty solid choice as well. With summer winding down I better get on ordering one of these, thank you for the great recommendations!