Renting a Water Slide: Space, Water, Power & Safety

Space: measure more than the slide itself

Water slides are long. Ask the rental company for the exact dimensions of the unit, plus the extra room needed for the blower, the stakes and a clear safety zone. Then measure your yard – and the path from the street to the setup spot.

• A flat, level lawn is ideal; a slight slope is sometimes okay, but ask the company first
• Keep clear of fences, trees, play sets, overhead power lines and the house
• Check the gate width – rolled-up water slides are bulky and heavy
• Leave room at the bottom of the slide for kids to climb out and walk away safely
• Plan where waiting kids will stand so they don’t crowd the ladder

Water supply

Most inflatable water slides are fed by a regular garden hose connected to an outdoor spigot. The water runs continuously or at intervals while the slide is in use. Make sure the hose reaches from the spigot to the top of the slide, or ask whether the company brings a hose.

• Check that your outdoor spigot works and has decent water pressure
• Some areas have seasonal watering restrictions – check with your local water utility if you’re unsure
• Fill splash pools or landing pools as instructed by the company and don’t overfill them
• For public parks and venues without a spigot, ask the venue and the rental company early

Drainage and your lawn

All that water has to go somewhere. Look at where it will flow: away from the house, the basement, the driveway and the neighbor’s yard is best. Expect the ground around the slide to be soggy and muddy afterward.

Grass that sits under an inflatable for a long, hot day can look stressed or flattened afterward. It usually recovers, but you can reduce the effect by keeping the rental window reasonable and watering the lawn after the slide is removed.

• Mow the lawn a day or two before and clear away clippings, sticks and rocks
• Mark sprinkler heads and shallow lines so the crew doesn’t stake into them
• Lay down towels or mats where kids walk back to the house to keep floors dry

Power: blower and water don’t mix

A water slide stays inflated by an electric blower that runs the whole time. Because there is water everywhere, the power setup matters even more than with a dry bounce house.

• Use a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet, ideally on its own circuit – ask the company what it requires
• Keep the blower and all cord connections out of the spray zone and off wet ground
• Use only the cords the rental company provides or approves
• If there is no suitable outlet, ask about a generator

Slip safety and rules

Wet vinyl is slippery – that’s the point of a water slide, but it also means kids need clear rules and an adult watching the whole time. Follow the manufacturer’s limits for the number of riders and age or height.

• Constant adult supervision at the slide, especially at the top and the landing
• One rider at a time on the slide; the next one waits until the landing is clear
• Slide feet first or sitting down – never head first unless the instructions allow it
• Swimsuits only: no shoes, jewelry, glasses, hair clips or clothes with zippers or buckles
• No running on the wet grass around the slide
• Separate younger and older kids, or set times for each group
• Ask the company whether sunscreen needs to dry before kids go on – some ask you to avoid oily products on the vinyl

Weather

Just like any inflatable, a water slide must be cleared when the wind exceeds the manufacturer’s limit. Clear it at the first sign of thunder or lightning and move everyone inside. On very hot days, make sure kids take shade and drink breaks.

Wet or dry: one rental, two uses

Many water slides and combos can be used either wet or dry. That makes them a good choice if the forecast is uncertain or if your event runs from afternoon into a cooler evening. Ask the company whether your unit can be used dry and whether switching from wet to dry during the event is allowed – a wet slide needs to be dried off before dry use, and some companies don’t allow wet use at certain venues.

Expect a water slide rental to cost more than a standard bounce house, because the units are larger and need more cleaning and drying afterward. Prices vary by region, season and unit size – your rental company will quote the exact total.

Sending your inquiry

On HOPS24 you send your inquiry for free and with no obligation directly to local rental companies. Include the date, your address or ZIP code, the setup surface, the distance to the nearest outlet and spigot, and the ages of the kids. The price, contract and payment are agreed directly with the provider – HOPS24 never takes money.

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