Children's slides: types, tips for choosing and making

The arrangement of a garden plot or a local area necessarily implies the presence of slides for children. But despite the apparent similarity, these designs can be different in execution, so it is necessary to understand in advance all the subtleties and nuances, otherwise the consequences of a wrong choice may turn out to be sad.

To make the slide safe for children, it is necessary, first of all, to pay attention to its height. Toddlers 1.5-2 years old should not ride down slides higher than 1.5 m.If the child's age has reached 2-7 years, then the structure must be 2.5 m high.Teenagers will already need a structure for skating that reaches a height of 3-3 , 5 m.

But it will not be possible to limit ourselves only to this consideration - it is imperative to surround the sports facility with an anti-slip coating. It is very important in wet weather, when any careless movement can cause damage to health. It is imperative to make wide steps. Experts recommend putting the bars closer to each other.

For the descent, a flat gutter is prepared, preferably with side bumpers. When the structure is fully built, it is necessary to check that there are no slightest chips and sharp corners, as well as protruding bolts.

Wood must be sanded, like metal. It is advisable to prepare a soft section on the roll-out of the gutter. Lawn grass is often used for it. But this is rather a seasonal option, and for year-round use it is much more correct to put a soft coating. You can also make a sand embankment, but the decision must be made very thoughtfully.

A very important point: no matter how the slide is arranged, it should be clearly visible from all sides and from nearby windows, because then you can calmly go about your business and periodically monitor children's games. In this case, it is desirable to place the sports equipment in partial shade. There, even on a hot summer day, children playing will not overheat. But in addition, you should think about protection from a piercing wind and accidental drafts.

But protection from dangerous weather phenomena is insufficient - it is imperative to put a slide where there are no electrical appliances and power lines, as well as sharp objects. It is unacceptable to orient the descent towards walls, steep cliffs (ravines), highways and railways. Also, children should not be allowed to roll towards trees, holes, fences. It is recommended to select a site where there are no poisonous plants.

To ensure that this danger is eliminated, it is required to clear the area from weeds. The fertile soil layer is completely removed and safer soil is laid. The presence of even small pins is unacceptable.

Children's slides can even be installed in the bedroom. In this case, almost any materials can be used, since the harmful effects of the environment are excluded. The difference between a room structure and a street building is a smaller size, but at the same time its device does not differ from the usual slide for children installed in the country. Thinking over the future arrangement of a site or a children's room, it is necessary to draw up three-dimensional diagrams and drawings or use ready-made documentation.

It is quite logical to combine a slide and a swing when equipping a playground. The supporting elements are certainly concreted, deepening them by 0.4-0.5 m into the ground. The typical height of the spiral slide, designed for children from 3 years old and more, should be 1.52 m, and if the structure is made in the form of a spiral, then the turn of the outlet section relative to the upper platform should be 270 degrees.

When arranging outdoor playgrounds and sports grounds with children's slides, it is necessary to take into account the optimal ratio between the sliding and braking areas. If the height of the structure does not exceed 1.5 m, then both slopes should be approximately 0.3 m.

A large slide installed on the street for the entertainment of teenagers should be made only of metal. The point is that this design is very reliable.

If you do not concentrate on stationary products, then you can choose inflatable slides. It is not difficult to assemble and disassemble such structures. They are small in size, but the service life is relatively short.

Metal and wooden slides are the most popular options. It is justified to make a structure out of logs or boards, given that this material does not heat up as much in summer as an iron or stainless steel surface. Metal heated in the sun can cause burns. If you want to choose a movable slide, then you should give preference to plastic structures. However, the disadvantage of this solution is low strength.

If you plan to make a structure with your own hands, but you do not have the skills to perform welding work, it is worth stopping at a wooden slide. There are a number of typical layouts with different sizes, but there are standard elements:

• climbing ladder;
• stingray;
• lower part (support);
• platform located on top;
• protective elements.

There is not always a desire to make a slide with your own hands - some do not know how, and some do not have the necessary funds, time or tools. In such cases, you can choose a ready-made design. Small children should ride light slides, but you should not buy such a product that would be overturned. If older children will use the facility, then it is advisable to choose folding slides that have an additional pool function.

When choosing a slide made of plastic, it is imperative to study a certificate proving the safety of the material. You also need to consider considerations such as:

• ease of care;
• the ability to wash the structure;
• harmony of colors;
• compliance of the appearance of the structure with the situation on the site.

For tips on making a structure made of metal and wood, see the video.