Summer Time Slip-n-Slide (DIY VERSION)

For my wife's birthday last week, she requested I set up a huge slip-n-slide and invite our family and friends over to celebrate and have fun. I have never been very comfortable with plumbing but with some help from a associate at the local hardware store and some friends I got everything set up. This turned out to be one of the best times we have ever had and it will be a staple at our summer parties for years to come.

Having a nice hill in your yard is at the top of the list for a great Slip-n-Slide. Make sure to mow the grass short a day in advance and remove all sticks, and debris from the area.

You will need to stop by your local big box hardware store for the following items. I'm clueless when it comes to plumbing so forgive me if I call the parts out wrong. I basically told the guy at Lowe's what I wanted to do and he went and got the parts :)

Water hose (not pictured)

6 mil plastic sheeting ( I bought 10ft x 100ft) you will need to by a length needed to best fit your yard.

1/2" PVC pipe I used two 5ft sections but after using this set up I will use a 5ft and a 8ft length next time.

PVC pipe cleaner and glue

Male and Female quick release attachments

Y water valve

Brass Female Hose adapter

90 deg. 1/2" pipe fitting, 1/2 pipe end cap, male hose adapter to 1/2" pipe fitting

2 hole 1/2" pipe straps ( I used about 6 of them)

Three 8ft long treated yard timbers and a 8ft 2x4

LOTS AND LOTS of baby shampoo

I attached the brass fitting to the 1/2" PVC pipe fitting adapter (sorry didn't get a picture)

I then attached the Y hose attachment to the brass fitting and attached the male quick release to the other side with cut off valve. Attached female quick release to water hose, this will help with setting up later. I left the second water hose valve on the Y with nothing attached. This allowed use to use it as a makeshift shower when we got muddy.

I built two upside down T shaped frames with the yard timbers I cut one of the timbers in half to use for the bottoms and for the braces I cut four 18" lengths on 45 deg. angles. These were attached with 3" screws.

To connect the two side frames I simply ran a 7ft long 2x4 across the top.

I did not get any pictures of me putting the pipe together due to technical difficulties (battery died on phone)

I cleaned and glued the end cap to one end of the PVC I planed to use on the top of frame. I then cleaned and glued the 90 deg adapter to the other end of the PVC pipe used on the top. Then I glued the second PVC pipe to the 90 deg fitting. On the end of the vertical PVC pipe I glued the 1/2" PVC to hose attachment.

I then used the pipe strap hangers to attached the pre-assembled PVC section.

Next you will need to roll out your plastic roll down your hill. I rolled a soccer ball down a few times first to get an idea on how the hill rolled so we could match the tarp with the path the water would travel. Its at this point you will need to set your water curtain frame on top of the plastic on top of the hill. I was lucky it was not a windy day so I did not have to use tie downs on the plastic tarp.

I drilled the holes in the top PVC pipe at this time also ( be careful not to drill all the way through the PVC.) You may need to add more holes later after you determine you water flow rate.

Turn on your water and adjust the plastic sheet to match the water flow (took me and a buddy about 20 minutes)

Now turn on the water, pour on some baby shampoo and have a great time! (Just a heads up, your landing area will slowly turn into a mud pit before the day is over as shown in the last picture.)

Have plenty of water and fruit on hand. You will need the energy and banans from walking back up the hill a few hundred times!!