The Best Inflatable Water Slides of 2022

Turn your backyard into your own personal water park with one of these top inflatable slides.

By Tony Carrick | Updated May 26, 2022 10:51 AM

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Photo: amazon.com

Those dog days of summer can make it hard to get kids away from their screens and into the great outdoors. A backyard water slide could lure them away from their devices. Inflatable slides amp up the standard backyard kiddie pool or slip and slide to create a backyard water park complete with 5-foot slides, integrated water guns, bounce houses, and splash pools.

The massive inflatables can cover a 15-foot by 20-foot space, reach heights of up to 10 feet, and accommodate up to five kids at a time. Large electric blowers and durable PVC material ensure these playscapes stay inflated and withstand the punishment doled out by kids.

With this guide, you’ll slide into the world of backyard inflatable water slides and identify what features you should consider when shopping for one. Then you’ll get a look at some of the best inflatable water slide options on the market.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race Slide
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: BOUNTECH Inflatable Water Slide
  3. BEST UPGRADE: Blast Zone Pirate Bay Water Slide
  4. BEST FEATURES: WELLFUNTIME Inflatable Water Slide Park with Pool
  5. BEST FOR TODDLERS: Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
  6. BEST FOR OLDER KIDS: Banzai Big Blast Water Park
  7. BEST FOR GROUPS: Costzon Inflatable Water Park Slide
  8. BEST WITH BOUNCE HOUSE: Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Slide
  9. BEST DUAL SLIDE: Costzon Inflatable Crocodile Water Park Double Slides
  10. ALSO CONSIDER: SUNNY & FUN Deluxe Inflatable Water Triple Slide Park

Photo: amazon.com

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Inflatable Water Slide

Make sure you purchase a water slide that’s suitable for the children who’ll be using it. That means you must consider both the size of the water slide and the quality of its construction. Ahead, learn more about these and other crucial attributes of inflatable water slides for kids.

Size and Available Space

Inflatable water slides leave a sizable footprint in the backyard, so buyers must consider the size and available space when shopping for one. Larger water slides may create a footprint as big as 250 square feet. Even a smaller pool slide for toddlers takes up a fair amount of real estate. Most measure around 10 feet long by 6 feet wide. Buyers must also consider the slide’s dimensions when broken down, as the slide will need a home in a basement, garage, or shed when not in use. Many slides include handy carrying bags for storage and transport.

Material

Inflatable water slides come in a variety of materials, including PVC, synthetic rubber, neoprene, laminated polyester, and chemical-grade nylon. PVC makes for the best option; durable and elastic, it resists punctures. Chemical-grade nylon offers a similar quality in a lighter weight. In addition to choice of material, specific construction methods may also make the slide more durable. For example, look for additional stitching and double layers of material.

Blower

Since they’re much larger than average pool floats, inflatable water slides require a fair amount of time for setup. Lung power won’t inflate these behemoths; they come with blowers that fully inflate the slides in about 5 to 7 minutes. These powerful blowers continue to run while the kids play in order to keep the slide properly inflated throughout its operation.

Blowers play a critical role as many slides elevate kids up 5 feet or more off the ground. The slide must maintain proper pressure to avoid a dangerous collapse under the weight of its users. Make sure the slide includes its own blower, or purchase a compatible one if it does not.

Recommended Ages and Weight Limits

All inflatable water slide specs include weight capacities for their inflated parts as well as a maximum number of occupants that can use the slide at one time. It’s important to adhere to these guidelines for safe use of the slide and to prevent damage such as punctures and tears. Medium-size slides typically have a weight capacity of around 350 pounds with a maximum occupancy of four children. Larger models support around five children and up to 500 pounds.

Additional Attractions

In addition to the slide itself, most inflatable water parks come with other attractions, including climbing walls, bounce houses, water cannons, soaking pools, and basketball hoops. These add-ons engage multiple children at once.

Our Top Picks

In the list below, we’ve narrowed the field to some of the top inflatable water slides on the market. These slides range from small models designed for young children to large water parks that cover nearly 250 square feet of space.

Best Overall

Photo: amazon.com

Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race inflatable slide safely entertains multiple kids all at once thanks to its smart design. The slides plunge into the pool from opposite sides, allowing two kids to slide at once without the risk of collision. A climbing wall and a large wading pool in the center of the park provide additional recreation for kids waiting their turn for the slide.

Dual sprayers on each slide of this Little Tikes water slide ensure the sliding surface stays slick. A waterfall above the climbing wall makes the ascent a challenge. A large inflatable cushion at the wall’s base serves as a soft landing for kids who fall off.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 161 inches long by 169 inches wide by 103 inches high
  • Age range: 5 to 10 years old
  • Weight limit: 350 pounds

Pros

  • Dual slides
  • Multiple sprayers and waterfall
  • Large splash pool
  • Climbing wall

Cons

  • Not suitable for older children

Get the Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race Slide on Amazon or at Walmart.

Best Bang For The Buck

Photo: amazon.com

An inflatable kids water slide can cost well over $500, making it a considerable investment for backyard summertime entertainment. But inflatable slides don’t have to cost that much. Bountech’s inflatable water slide offers an impressive number of attractions to keep the kiddies entertained at a reasonable price.

The slide’s main features include a climbing wall that leads to two slides, both of which empty into a large wading pool. Two sprayers keep a steady stream of water on each slide. Enclosures protected by netting at the top of the park ensure kids don’t fall as they prepare to slide down. Other attractions include a basketball net and a water cannon.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 142 inches long by 158 inches wide by 100 inches high
  • Age range: 3 to 10 years old
  • Weight limit: 350 pounds

Pros

  • Affordably priced
  • Includes two slides and a climbing wall
  • Comes with a basketball net and a water cannon

Cons

  • Smaller than other water parks
  • Not suitable for bigger kids

Get the BOUNTECH Inflatable Water Slide on Amazon.

Best Upgrade

Photo: walmart.com

Blast Zone’s massive pirate-themed inflatable water park provides enough space for a kids’ water slide, an ample pool area, and a bounce house complete with basketball net. A climbing wall leads to the top of the slide while a tunnel underneath leads to the bounce house. Bear in mind that kids must exit the park to access both the tunnel and the climbing wall, which means they may track dirt and grass into the pool.

With the two water cannons, kids can blast sliders and bathers from the park’s opposing corners. An additional sprayer at the top of the park keeps the slide slick. This is also one of the best-looking water parks, and Pirate Bay flags give the whole thing a theme-park feel.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 156 inches wide by 246 inches long by 8 feet high
  • Age range: 3 and up
  • Weight limit: 500 pounds

Pros

  • Large size supports numerous kids
  • Includes bounce house and crawl tunnel
  • Comes with two integrated water cannons

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Kids must exit water park to access climbing wall

Get the Blast Zone Pirate Bay Water Slide at Walmart or on Amazon.

Best Features

Photo: amazon.com

Inflatable water parks should pack in as many attractions as possible, and few do this as well as Wellfuntime. This inflatable kids’ water slide, which measures some 16 feet by 13 feet, includes two slides, a separate deeper bathing pool, and a climbing wall. The park also comes equipped with an impressive number of sprayers that include a bucket-style waterfall and giant arch.

Wellfuntime also throws in numerous accessories with the park, including four water guns and three inflatable balls. With a max capacity of 464 pounds, this park supports plenty of kids on its attractions.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 157 inches wide by 191 inches long by 8 feet high
  • Age range: 3 to 10
  • Weight limit: 464 pounds

Pros

  • Multiple sprayers and waterfalls
  • Multiple activities, including a climbing wall and two slides
  • Comes with sports balls and water guns

Cons

  • Expensive

Get the WELLFUNTIME Inflatable Water Slide Park with Splash Pool on Amazon.

Best For Toddlers

Photo: walmart.com

With its small size, this water park makes an ideal choice for toddlers who need to stay within arm’s reach of Mom or Dad. Despite measuring just 6 feet wide by 10 feet long, Intex’s Rainbow Ring packs in a lot of activities. The park includes smaller and larger pools connected by a short slide that drops onto a soft landing mat. An inflatable rainbow arch holds a water sprayer that keeps the slide slick.

Other attractions include a ring toss and ball roller games. Better suited for young children, this blow-up pool comes at a reasonable price, which makes it a great choice for those looking to get their tots outdoors in the heat of summer.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 6 feet 4 inches wide by 9 foot 9 inches long by 4 foot 5 inches high.
  • Age range: 2 to 5
  • Weight limit: 178 pounds

Pros

  • Includes a wading pool and main pool
  • Affordably priced
  • Includes a ring toss and ball games

Cons

  • Smaller size accommodates fewer kids

Get the Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center at Walmart, on Amazon, or at Target.

Best For Older Kids

Photo: overstock.com

Banzai’s long, narrow design provides a faster and steeper slide that kids up to age 12 will enjoy. Lacking the variety of attractions of other water parks, it uses nearly all of its 17-foot length to house a water slide that drops from 6 feet to ground level.

High-pressure water sprayers that shoot from the top of the slide keep it slick and give each rider a good soaking as they pass. A climbing wall leads to the top of the slide, and the slide ends in a large splash pool.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 114 inches wide by 211 inches long by 95 inches high
  • Age range: 5 to 12
  • Weight limit: 150 pounds

Pros

  • Long water slide appeals to older kids
  • Multiple sprayers keep slide slick
  • Climbing wall

Cons

  • Not as many attractions as other slides
  • Low weight limit of 150 pounds

Get the Banzai Big Blast Water Park at Overstock, on Amazon, or at Walmart.

Best For Groups

Photo: amazon.com

Costzon’s inflatable water slide makes the most of its 14-foot by 16-foot size with multiple attractions spaced far enough apart to accommodate multiple kids. With a small slide that stands 2 feet high and a large one that stands 5 feet, this water park makes a place for both older and younger kids. Other attractions include a cushy lounge chair with an overhead sprayer, a climbing wall that ascends to the tall slide, a water cannon on one wall for blasting slide occupants, and a basketball rim. Sprayers distributed throughout the play area ensure the slides and occupants stay wet. Unlike with other backyard water parks, users can access the attractions from inside the park’s boundaries, which keeps the water clean and lawn intact.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 165.5 inches wide by 189 inches long by 92 inches high
  • Age range: 3 to 10
  • Weight limit: 350 pounds

Pros

  • Size, weight limit, and design suitable for groups
  • Oxford cloth construction and double stitched for durability
  • Multiple play areas

Cons

  • Replacement parts unavailable if anything breaks

Get the Costzon Inflatable Water Park Slide on Amazon.

Best With Bounce House

Photo: amazon.com

Bounceland gives kids the best of both worlds with a full-size bounce house and a water slide. Keep in mind, at just under 5 feet wide and long, the bounce house only holds two kids at a time at most. Both the slide and bounce house open to a 6.5-foot by 5-foot wading pool. A climbing wall inside the bounce house leads to the slide. A sprayer mounted above the slide ensures the surface stays slick.

Kids can also shoot hoops inside the bounce house. Protective netting around the bounce house and at the top of the slide keeps kids safely inside the play area, making Bounceland a great choice for younger kids.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 108 inches wide by 138 inches long by 72 inches high
  • Age range: 3 to 10
  • Weight limit: 300 pounds

Pros

  • Large bounce house with basketball net
  • Netting prevents kids from falling off the bounce house or slide
  • Large wading pool
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Bounce house is only large enough for one or two kids at a time

Get the Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Slide on Amazon, at Target, or at Walmart.

Best Dual Slide

Photo: amazon.com

At 19 feet long by 17 feet wide, this massive water park provides enough space to house two large slides. Kids climb to the top of the slides on a climbing wall that bisects the two. They then slide through the open maw of a giant crocodile or down its scaly back. Since the slides empty onto opposite ends of the water park, kids can fly down simultaneously without the risk of collision.

Other cool features include a tunnel that runs under one slide, a basketball goal, and a water cannon. A large swimming area provides a place for kids to splash while others slide.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 224.5 inches wide by 203 inches long by 95 inches high
  • Age range: 3 to 10
  • Weight limit: 298 pounds

Pros

  • Cool crocodile design
  • Two long slides kids can use simultaneously
  • Large wading pool

Cons

  • Expensive

Get the Costzon Inflatable Crocodile Water Park Double Slides on Amazon.

Also Consider

Photo: amazon.com

Sunny & Fun’s giant backyard water park eschews most secondary attractions to include three giant water slides. Two steep slides sit side by side in the park’s center, and a third curvy slide wraps around the side.

Three sprayers keep all slides adequately slick while a water cannon allows kids to spray riders as they come down the slide. High walls ensure kids stay within the confines of each slide while fabric and mesh walls at the top of the slide prevent kids from falling off while they wait their turn. Kids access all three slides from a single climbing wall.

Product Specs

  • Dimensions: 18 feet long by 16 feet wide by 10 feet high
  • Age range: 3 to 10
  • Weight limit: 350 pounds

Pros

  • Three slides
  • Large wading pool
  • Climbing wall inside
  • Includes basketball goal

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No additional attractions

Get the SUNNY & FUN Deluxe Inflatable Water Triple Slide Park on Amazon, at Target, or at Walmart.

Our Verdict

A thoughtful design that places two slides on the outside with a center climbing wall and large splash pool make the Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race Slide one of the best all-around inflatable water slides on the market. Those with a bigger budget and more space in their backyards should consider the Blast Zone Pirate Bay Water Slide with its massive 20- by 12-foot size.

How We Chose the Best Inflatable Water Slides

We reviewed more than two dozen options, and a variety of criteria figured into our choices for the best inflatable water slides. Since a blow-up pool with a slide should support multiple children at once, we chose models that could occupy four to five kids with multiple play stations. Safety was also key, so we only considered models with safeguards to prevent falls and injury. Although the water slide is the main attraction, we favored those that offered a variety of attractions, including climbing walls, soaking pools, water cannons, basketball hoops, and bounce houses.

The Advantages of Owning an Inflatable Water Slide

Although inflatable water slides are somewhat of an investment, many advantages make them worth their sometimes steep price tags. First and foremost, a backyard water slide helps get kids outside in the heat of the summer. It eliminates the need for trips to crowded neighborhood pools and trumps backyard kiddie pools or vinyl slip-and-slides by a long shot. Larger inflatable water slides make a great activity for a backyard kids party. For this use, they practically pay for themselves by eliminating the need to reserve space at a local bouncy gym or water park.

To recap, backyard inflatable water parks are:

  • A fun and engaging way to beat the summer heat
  • An excellent attraction for birthday parties
  • A great way to avoid crowds at the local pool

Safety and Maintenance Tips for an Inflatable Water Slide

Inflatable slides provide hours of backyard entertainment. To get the most out of yours, make sure you adhere to the following guidelines to prevent damage to your slide and injury to its users.

  • Keep sharp objects away from the slide to prevent tears and other damage.
  • Stick strictly to the slide’s weight and occupancy limits to avoid damage and injury.
  • Never leave children unattended on the slide. Kids can drown in less than 2 inches of water.
  • Don’t allow roughhousing on the slide, which can lead to accident, injury, and damage.

FAQs

Wondering how long inflatable water slides last or whether Dad can use it, too? Read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about backyard water parks.

Q. How long do inflatable water slides last?

An inflatable water slide lasts about 5 years, depending on how well you maintain it.

Q. How much water do inflatable slides use?

A child’s water slide typically uses about 4 liters of water per minute.

Q. Can adults go on an inflatable water slide?

Most inflatable water slides come with age and weight limits that restrict adults from using them. However, some inflatable water slides are designed for adults.


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