How to Choose a Playground Slide

When kids visit a playground, they often get most excited about a colorful slide that gives them an adrenaline rush. Slides are a staple in commercial playgrounds and are usually one of the first play pieces kids are eager to use.

An exhilarating slide is a playground must-have that adds years of fun to any space. Whether you’re designing a new playground from scratch or are looking for ways to add excitement to an existing playground, it’s important to know how to choose slides. What questions and considerations should you think about before making a purchase?

We’ll help focus your search and answer the important questions to ask, like how slides can be beneficial for young kids.

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Commercial Playground Slides

Part of the fun associated with slides is all the different options and possibilities for configurations. There are many ways playground slides can vary or be customized, which means it can take time to find the right one. Knowing how to choose slides for a playground is much easier when you consider the size, material, shape, color, and cost of your options.

1. Sizes

One of the biggest considerations to keep in mind when choosing a playground slide is the size of the slide. Slides for playgrounds can come in a variety of heights and widths to create different play experiences.

The right height for a slide in your playground will largely depend on the age group the playground is intended for, as well as the space available for a slide. For example, taller slides are more suitable for school-aged children, while shorter slides are favorable for young children. It’s also important to consider how the width of a slide can contribute to the enjoyment of the user.

Standard slides allow a single user to slide down at once. As slides increase in width, they can be made to allow multiple kids to slide at once. Wider slide options provide fun play options for kids. Double-wide slides provide kids the chance to compete against their friends to see who can reach the bottom of the slide first.

2. Materials

Slides can be made from several types of materials, including fiberglass, plastic, and metal. Commercial playground slides are most commonly made using either plastic or metal because these materials tend to be durable under frequent use and outdoor elements.

Metal slides are commonly made using steel. This material is durable, ensuring the slide will last. Metal slides also tend to be slicker than plastic slides, giving kids an exciting and fast ride. Keep in mind that metal slides can absorb heat, so putting them under play shade will make them more usable.

While plastic slides aren’t quite as durable as metal slides, they tend to be most cost-effective. Plastic can still get hot under direct sun exposure, but it tends to be more heat-resistant than metal. Because of this, plastic slides are the most common material used for commercial playground slides. Plastic slides are also much easier to make in different shapes and colors.

3. Shapes

Slides can come in a variety of shapes and designs to create fun and exciting playgrounds. While there are many more options out there, consider the following slide designs when planning your playground to get you started:

• Straight: This classic slide design is simple and easy to install yet gives kids of all ages an enjoyable ride. Look for angled slides that are sure to give kids a rush.
• Spiral: Spiral slides can add some height and a twist to your playground. Spiral slides send kids on a winding ride while taking up a minimal amount of space.
• Wavy: Wavy slides feature waves or humps in the slide that give kids the sensation they’re gliding over hills.
• Tunnel: Also known as tube slides, tunnel slides are enclosed or partly enclosed slides. Almost any slide shape can become a tunnel slide — like a straight tube slide or a spiral variety — adding a daring element to even the simplest playgrounds.
• Roller: Roller slides are a unique option that feature metal rods that turn under kids as they descend. These slides are exciting for kids, and they provide tactile and auditory sensory experiences.

Each slide shape can either be a component slide or a free-standing slide. Component slides are connected to other playground equipment parts. This allows you to incorporate slides into elaborate jungle gyms where kids can climb from piece to piece. Free-standing slides are their own entity, unattached from other aspects of the playground. While the setup for your playground may depend on the amount of available space, there are fun slide options for all playgrounds.

4. Colors

The colors of a playground add to the fun and excitement. Luckily, playground slides are made in a wide range of colors. A variety of color options allows you to choose a color that will both appeal to children and complement the other pieces of playground equipment.

Children are more likely to be interested in objects that are visually pleasing. For example, a young child will get much more excited about blue or yellow playground equipment than black or grey pieces. When choosing a playground slide, be sure to consider the impact color can have on the appeal to kids.

Whether you’re designing a new playground or are adding a new slide to an existing playground, you may also want to consider whether your playground has a theme or a color scheme. If this is the case, you may want to choose a slide color that will coordinate or complement the other pieces of the playground.

If your playground is nautical-themed, a purple slide may not be the most effective option in terms of your theme. While there are no rules about what colors should or shouldn’t be used together, they are important to consider so you can attract users with an aesthetic appearance.

5. Cost

Another important factor to consider is the cost of commercial playground slides. The cost of your slide will vary depending on the shape and size you choose, as well as whether it will be free-standing or a component. While you should always keep your budget in mind, it can be a good thing to dedicate a generous budget to a playground slide. Low-cost options tend to be made of lower-quality materials that may deteriorate or become damaged more quickly.

If you’re looking to create a quality playground, think of the equipment as an investment. Slides are popular at most playgrounds, which means they’ll get used frequently. For the safety of all the playground users, you may want to consider spending a bit more on a high-quality slide from a reputable manufacturer to ensure you’re getting a good product. While higher prices often indicate higher quality, this may not always be the case. It’s important to do research and compare your options before settling on a price.

Choose Little Tikes Commercial for the Best Playground Slides

Now that you know what you should consider when choosing commercial playground slides, you know you should partner with a reliable company to get the best slides. Little Tikes Commercial has the slides and playground solutions you’re looking for.

We offer a number of playground slide options ranging from curved slides, quantum slides, and morphous slides. Our team can help you find a playground design that incorporates slides into your space. We’re here to help you give kids playgrounds that enable them to learn and develop valuable life skills as they grow.

Encourage healthy play and strong childhood development when you transform your playground with the best playground slides from Little Tikes Commercial. Explore our design ideas or consider our selection of free-standing slides. Find out how we can work with your budget and needs when you request a quote.