How to Make a Slip and Slide Out of Tarps

While store-bought slip-and-slides can be fun, they are often even more exciting when you make one yourself out of tarps. This gives you the opportunity to increase the size of the slip-and-slide and can save you a decent amount of money if you have all of the supplies on hand. It can also be a fun project for family or friends and can make backyard get-togethers that much more exciting.

Things You'll Need

  • Tarp
  • Pool noodles
  • Velcro
  • Level
  • Stakes
  • Hammer
  • Sprinkler hose
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan the size and length of your slip-and-slide by laying out pool noodles, keeping about 1 foot to 1 1/2 feet between each noodle. You can use noodles of any size, although for a longer slide, 5-foot noodles tend to work best. Make sure to account for extra tarp at either end; the beginning for staking it down and at the end for creating a stop.

    • 2

      Lay out the tarp and stretch it flat. Fold in the end 6 inches to 1 foot, folding it over three or four times. This will give the tarp enough stability for you to stake it, and prevent it from tearing when being used.

    • 3

      Place the noodles down either side of the tarp and at one end, and stick Velcro onto the tarp on either side of the noodles, keeping the line as straight as possible.

      Use a level down the length of the tarp to get your slip-and-slide perfect. Fold the tarp over the noodles, securing one piece of Velcro to the other. This provides a barrier to reduce the chances of someone going off the end of the tarp.

    • 4

      Flip the slide over once you have wrapped both sides and one end around the noodles. Stake one end of the tarp with heavy-duty stakes; pound them into the ground with a hammer or mallet. Leaving stakes sticking up greatly increase the chance of injury. When doing this, it is important to make sure you have a good amount of tarp folded together and bunched up when staking to prevent tearing.

      Pull the slide taut and stake down the other end of the slide in the same manner to secure it, making sure the stakes go through plenty of material to prevent ripping.

    • 5

      Run sprinkler hose down either end of the slide, tucking it as close to the noodles as possible. If you do not have sprinkler hose, you can set up other types of sprinkler on one or both sides of the slide. When using this method, it is important to turn the water on and make sure that all of the slide will remain wet during use. A dry spot on the tarp can limit its slipperiness.