If you have an infant or a youngster at home life, then the chances are that they love to play on slides. Whenever you witness their tiny cheeks light up while they go down the baby slide for the first time, it’s hard not to want to buy one of these toys and put it in your backyard! But before you set out to purchase a metal or plastic baby slide, there are some things about baby slides that kids need parents to know.
What is a Baby Slide?
A baby slide will typically have a minimum slope and should be used only when an adult holds the child when sliding down.
It is the staple addition to make the playground time fun and exciting for your children. Slides come in a myriad of shapes and sizes available in the market.
All slide components are pretty standard: a raised platform and chute or a ramp that children slide down. Your baby will use the ladder or stairs to climb up to the top. And then, your baby will sit on top of the platform to slide down the chute. Slides are most commonly made from plastic or metal, and the chute will have a smooth surface for your baby to slide down with ease.
Types of Plastic Baby Slides
To keep your child entertained at home, you might be considering buying playground equipment like plastic baby slides. Different models and types of plastic slides are available for other age groups. They are:
1. Straight Slides: Straight slides are the most common and traditional plastic slides. The chute will go downward in a straight line, and there won’t be any waves or curves.
2. Curved Slides: Curved slides are a more exciting option as there will be more twists and turns. These usually come L-shaped or J-shaped.
3. Spiral Slides: Spiral slides take the excitement your child may get from curved slides to the next level. There will be more dips and bends, and it offers the most thrilling experience when your child slides down.
4. Wave Slides: Wave slides have slight bumps and create a feeling of sitting on the ocean waves for your child.
5. Freestanding Slides: Freestanding slides will come without any other structures. Your child will need to access it with steps or a ladder.
6. Sectional Slides: Sectional slides typically come in parts and can be disassembled rather than single-piece equipment.
By clicking on the “ link, you could discover further about the countless sorts of slides and the wonderful realm of slides.
Fun Baby Slide Accessories
A swing and slide combination can be amusing for your child the first few days but can also quickly lose its appeal.
A simple solution can be to revamp it by adding great value with a few custom accessories. Let’s look at all the fun baby slide accessories you can add to your baby swing slide set:
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- Climbing Wall
- Ship’s Wheel
- Strap or Rope Ladder
- Glider
- Trapeze Rings
- Basketball Hoop
Check out the Little Tikes baby slide for fun ball and hoops.
Costs of the Baby Slide Swing Set
Depending on the slide swing set you want, the price will differ significantly. In the United States, a baby slide swing set can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500, excluding any additional assembly parts or hardware attachments.
For those in the United Kingdom. The slide swing sets would start from £170 and may cost as much as £1,150. In Australia, you can find some good slide swing sets from $280 to $1,500 and beyond. For people living in New Zealand, the price will start at $180 and may go over $1,000 or more.
You may pick the best between several brands. Some popular brands are Swing-N-Slide, Gorilla Playsets, KidKraft, and Backyard Discovery. Also, you can ship baby slides to your doorstep no matter where you are in the world by shopping from Alibaba. However, most of them are off-brand products. So, their quality can be questionable.
If you intend to engage an expert to install the slide and swing set, make sure to count the installation cost in your budget.
At What Age Can Babies Use the Slides?
Babies can start using baby slides at least 8 to 12 months. But the appropriate slide should be the low indoor ones, and parents should always help out when sliding down. Once your toddler is between the ages of 18 and 24 months old, they should be able to climb up and slide down a small plastic slide even without your help.
For more significant slides found in parks or playgrounds, your child should be at least two years before you let them try it out. However, you should always keep an eye out and protect them when sliding down.
Why You Must Never Go Down a Slide With a Child on Your Lap
While it may seem like a safe idea, going down a slide with your child on your lap is a lot more dangerous. According to researchers at the American Academy of Paediatrics. Going down a slide with your child on your lap increases the risk of getting injured.
When sliding down together, it’s easy for your child to get their foot stuck on their way down. Because of the increased weight, even a simple foot getting caught can lead to your child acquiring severe injuries to their foot, leg, or even hips.
What Happens When You Play on the Slides?
While children may love sliders because they offer a thrilling and fun ride, they also help integrate several developmental senses and skills. Your child needs to climb steps before reaching the slides, which helps build coordination, strength, and balance in their arms and legs.
From a simple and fun playtime, your child can sharpen their perception, improve awareness of their body’s position and understand the amount of force they need for activities. Sliding also helps create better vestibular involvement and helps grow awareness about how one’s body moves through space and against gravity.
How Do Slides Develop Gross Motor Skills?
Walking and playing in the playground is one of the best ways for a child to practice their general motor skills. Many standard playground components certainly help develop gross motor skills for your child. Slides are one of the best playground equipment in this regard.
When your child reaches the slides, they will need to climb up the ladder or steps. So your child is learning how to balance and shift their weight. When sliding down, children get to feel their bodies in motion experiment with different body positions while working on their control and balance simultaneously.
Baby Slide Manufacturers and Distributors
Now, if you want to buy baby slides directly from the manufacturers and distributors for your store or maybe for a project, then I’ve got your back. Here is a roundup of some of the most prominent companies in the industry, They are:
Play-Power is a world leader when it comes to manufacturing baby slides. This is a US business operating in Texas, Dallas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and other states. In addition, there are facilities in Mexico and Europe.
Happy Child Products was established with the sole purpose of producing premium grade products for children of all ages. They are a leading brand for manufacturing children’s bedding supplies and creating play accessories. They are a prominent player in the children’s products industry.
L.A. Steelcraft is known for its wide selection of children’s products, amounting to over 500 items. They have been in business since 1948. As a result, they are among the earliest companies in the industry. So, whether it is baby slides or any other children’s play equipment, with L.A. Steelcraft, you are getting almost a century-long experience. Their high-quality products and popularity reflect that.
Last but not least, we have Superior Playgrounds. They are another US-based company specializing in children’s play equipment. They are authorized manufacturers by ASTM, CPSC, and US Access Board.
Some popular US distributors are:
Conclusion
Baby slides are a fun and exciting way for your little tikes to enjoy themselves while playing. Not only do they aid in the development of gross motor skills, but they also foster physical development.
You must find the right slide for your child, age-appropriate, of course!
A plastic baby slide is a fun addition to any child’s backyard. Please leave any comments or questions below.
Bye Bye!
Sources of Information
Barnes, P. (2021, August 6). 10 Best Indoor Slides for Kids (2021 Reviews). Mom Loves Best. https://momlovesbest.com/kids-indoor-slides
Bush, E. (2020, May 16). Please Wait. . . | Cloudflare. Foter. https://foter.com/how-to-choose-a-slide
EXTERNAL WORKS. (n.d.). Slide manufacturers | EXTERNAL WORKS. External Works Index. Retrieved August 30, 2021, from https://www.externalworksindex.co.uk/category/3-1671/type/11/Slides/Companies/
Winke, R. (2021, February 23). 10 Best Accessories for Swing Sets. Family Handyman. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/swing-set-accessories/
CostHelper, Inc., & Frady, C. (2019, September 7). How Much Does a Swing Set Cost? CostHelper. https://home.costhelper.com/swing-sets.html
Huadong Play. (2020, April 20). How to play slides correctly and safely? http://www.huadongplayground.com/playground/Industry_News/1393.html
Murray, L. (2017, September 18). Why You Really Shouldn’t Let Your Kid Go Down the Slide on Your Lap. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/news/a46139/children-slide-on-parents-lap/
A.(2020, December 2). Sliding into learning. Why slides and ladders are great for development. Active Babies Smart Kids. https://activebabiessmartkids.com.au/articles/sliding-learning-slides-great-development
M.(2021, May 24). Motor Skill Development on the Playground. Miracle Recreation. https://www.miracle-recreation.com/blog/motor-skill-development-on-the-playground/?lang=can
Hey john! I never knew sliding with a child on your lap is unsafe! I always thought that it is the safest way for children with less gross motor skills to play. It has always been the way to scaffold their motor skills in that aspect and now that you’ve talked about the risks involved, it looks like the better way to facilitate their play is to stand by the side of the slide and lightly grip their arm should they need assistance. Slides surely benefit children as the climbing as well as the coordination needed to play the slide hones their motor skills. Would definitely check out the few slides you recommended. Thanks again for the article John.
Although going down a slide with a kid on your lap is relatively dangerous in many ways, and as I said in this post, embracing your child is only natural if height is a problem, stepping back and guiding your child is preferable for their development and growth.
Slides provide hours of entertainment for a bit of child; my brother’s son prefers the Slide above all other toys. Therefore it is a significant investment. You want a baby slide that will endure and be passed down to the grandchildren.
Wow, you have provided a wealth of information here and I love it. I am about to become a 1st time granddad in December and know I will spoil him or her rotten. My Daughter does not want to know the babies sex. I guess I will have to wait 8 months after that to introduce my grandchild to the world of slippery dips. I would also love to put a small pool at the bottom, strictly supervised of course. My Daughter is in Australia, so doing a rough conversion that would be about $400 right? Are there any cheaper models available?
Thanks
Stephen
That’s so Awesome, Steve. Concerning the price, after looking around at a few websites selling slides in Australia, A site Aussie baby has little Tikes, Slippery Dip and many brands under $400.