10 of the best garden slides for toddlers and preschoolers

We've taken a good, long look at dozens of slides and, with the help of our child testers and their parents, come up with our best picks to suit a range of ages, prices and slippy-slidey features…

Best garden slides at a glance

• Best budget buy: Chad Valley Bug Toddler Slide, £20
• Best toddler slide with wide slope: Chad Valley 4ft Kids Garden Slide, £25
• Best slide for easy storage: PalPlay Red & Blue Plastic Folding First Slide, £27.99
• Best slide for quality: Smoby Medium 5ft Garden Slide, £59.99
• Best first slide: PalPlay Plastic Tower Gym, £119
• Best slide with extra features: Smoby Adventure Car Slide and Sandpit, £239.99
• Best for climbing: 4ft Toddler Adventure Slide with Platform and Climbing Wall, £110.99
• Best slide to last several years: Smoby Super Megagliss 2-in-1 Slide, £269.99
• Best slide for inflatable family fun: Happy Hop Sharks Club inflatable water slide, £349
• Best large slide: Chad Valley 9ft Kids Wavy Garden Slide, £180

Jump to:

• What to look for when buying a slide for your child
• What age can my child play on a slide?
• Best garden slides for children

What to look for when buying a slide for your child

– What age is it made for? At the risk of sounding very obvious, it's important to check that the slide you're buying is designed for your child's age: if you're buying for a toddler, you don't want it to have loads of steps and a high platform; if you're buying for a preschooler, you don't want a slide where the platform's barely off the ground. Some slides will adapt and extend as your child grows – they'll be more pricey but they may offer you more value for money in the long-term.

– How weatherproof is it? Garden slides are exposed to the elements and, though most are built to withstand rain and strong sun, some are definitely made to better withstand the worst that British weather can throw at them. Most children's slides are made of PVC, so you may want to look for one where the plastic has been UV-treated so the colours won't fade so rapidly after repeated exposure to the sun. If you opt for a slide with any wooden elements, check the wood has been pre-treated, too.

– What safety features are included? Look out for good hand holds at the top of the ladder, wide steps with anti-slip treads and steps spaced out well enough for a small child to climb up comfortably. It's also important that your child's slide is nice and stable: some slides will need to be anchored down in your garden or used with a safety strap. "Also, make sure the slide is always used on a level surface," says Kyle Maglione of Tp Toys, "and that all the fixings are tight and secure before allowing your child to play on it."

– How much space does it take up? Gardens, just like homes, can easily become cluttered with toys, and if you don't have much space, a slide can take up a huge amount of ground. We recommend checking your slide's dimensions and thinking about whether you need to choose a slide that can fold away, rather than be a permanent fixture in your garden.

– Does it have any extra features? Many slides come with have added features such as hose attachments that'll turn the slide into a water slide or climbing frames or even play vehicles that will up the fun factor. Usually, you'll pay more for a slide with extra features: think about whether it's worth it for you.

What age can my child play on a slide?

It depends on the height and angle of the slide – and on your child’s ability to climb a ladder. Generally speaking, most children can manage a small slide on their own from about the age of 2, progressing to larger slides with taller ladders and longer slopes as they get bigger.

You should always supervise a small child on a slide and be aware that both plastic and metal slides can get very hot in the height of summer. Never slide down a slide with a child on your lap – it’s been linked to an increased risk of injury.

What are the best garden slides for children?

1. Chad Valley 3ft Bug Toddler Slide, £20

Available at: Argos

Age: 18 months+ | Maximum child weight: 30kg | Size: L112cm x W65cm x H67cm | Weight: 3.6kg | Assembly time: None

Pros:

• Great value
• Suitable for younger toddlers
• Easy assembly
• Lightweight
• Built-in handrail

Cons:

• Quite small
• Doesn't fold up for storage
• No grips on steps
• Fairly steep slope
• Not UV-treated
• Only comes in green

This all-in-one, lightweight plastic slide can be used straight out of the box. The 4 steps are spaced reasonably for a toddler stride and the inbuilt handrail follows them all the way up to the top, so it's well-suited to those still perfecting their balance. It's great value for money but there are no anti-slip treads, no colour choices and the slope is quite steep, so you land at the bottom with a bit more of a bump that on a bigger slide with a gentler gradient. Also, because it's pretty small, your child will probably grow out of it relatively quickly. But our little testers loved the bug detailing and clambered and slid about on it very happily.

It's pretty sturdy and has a nice cubby underneath – perfect for hide and seek!

2. Chad Valley 4ft Kids Garden Slide, £25

Available at: Argos

Age: 2+ | Maximum child weight: 30kg | Size: W60cm x D141cm x H78cm | Weight: 4.3kg | Assembly time: 20 mins

Pros:

• Good price
• Extra strap for stability
• Wide slope

Cons:

• Not suitable for younger toddlers,
• Not UV-treated
• No built-in handrail

This compact, lightweight slide is a great-value choice for a toddler who wants something a bit bigger than a 'baby' slide but isn't quite ready for something too high or too narrow. It's lovely and bright with groovy curved grab handles at the top of the well-spaced steps, and there's a good lip at the bottom of the beautifully wide 5ft slope to ensure your child doesn't have too much of a bumpy landing. We also like the support strap between the steps and base of the slide that helps provide extra stability.

For us, it's the perfect size as I wanted a slide we could have outdoors but wasn't too large to bring inside when the weather is a bit rubbish.

3. PalPlay Red & Blue Plastic 4ft Folding First Slide, £27.99

Available at: TP Toys

Age: 1+ | Maximum child weight: 30kg | Size: W47cm x H72cm

Pros:

• Good price
• Sturdy and non-slip
• Easy to put away
• Good for younger toddlers

Cons:

• Quite small
• No built-in handrail

This plastic, good-value slide is bright and dinky, coming in multiple colour schemes. It’s a little smaller than the other starter slides featured here but one of its key selling points is how easy it is to fold, which makes it a great choice if you want a slide that can easily be moved or stored away. Plus, it has an anti-slip which makes it perfect for indoor and outdoor use.

4. Smoby Medium 5ft Garden Slide, £59.99

Available at: Amazon

Age: 2+ | Maximum child weight: 50kg | Size: L159cm x W68cm x H100cm | Weight: 6.5kg | Assembly time: 15 mins

Pros:

• Great quality
• Hose attachment
• UV-treated
• Safety grips on steps
• Reasonable longevity

Cons:

• No built-in handrail
• Doesn't fold up for storage
• No colour choice

This is a whizzy slide! Made from high-quality, anti-UV-treated PVC, its bright colours will last and, although its super-smooth slope gives it a speedy ride, the gradient ends gently enough for a non-bumpy landing. Most exciting of all, it has a hose attachment underneath which mean you can turn it into a waterslide on a hot day.

It's easy to assemble and we like the grippy steps and the big, loopy hand holds at the top. It doesn't fold, though, so if you want to pack it away, you'll need to disassemble it first. A nice, sturdy buy – not super-tall but should last you child a good few years.

5. PalPlay Plastic Tower Gym, £119

Available at: TP Toys

Age: 2+ | Maximum child weight: 30kg | Size: L180 x W85 x H100cm

Pros:

• Great quality
• Strong and sturdy
• Extra climbing frame
• Safety railing
• Fun den compartment

Cons:

• No colour choice
• Doesn't fold up for storage

Not only is this pick a great first slide for your little ones, it's also a first den and first climbing frame. As well as steps, the slide base comes with different sized foot holes and hand grips for a climbing challenge. There's also a cosy inside area which you can turn in to a ball pit or secret fort, plus the top of the slide is wide enough to sit comfortably on.

6. Smoby Adventure Car Slide and Sandpit, £239.99

Available at: Very, Amazon and Robert Dyas

Age: 18 months+ | Maximum child weight: 49kg | Size: L223cm x W68cm x H91cm | Weight: 16.5kg | Assembly time: 45 mins (2 adults)

Pros:

• Fantastic extra features
• Great quality
• Suitable for younger toddlers
• Hose attachment
• UV-treated
• Safety grips on steps
• Reasonable longevity

Cons:

• Pricey
• Takes a while to assemble
• Doesn't fold up for storage
• No colour choice
• No built-in handrail

This all-singing, all-dancing 5ft toddler slide has a car attached to the steps and the car has a (removable) sandpit in its bonnet and a play tunnel through its back wheels, making it a proper little outdoor play centre.

The slide itself has anti-skid steps and a nice gentle gradient, with some good grab handles at the top and a hose attachment underneath to turn it into a waterslide. The car section has a nice wide seat and a turning steering wheel and key, as well as a horn, that makes sounds when you press it (3 x LR44 batteries should be included).

7. Rebo 4ft Toddler Adventure Slide with Wooden Platform and Climbing Wall, £110.99

Available at: Outdoor Toys

Age: 3+ | Maximum child weight: 50kg | Size: L70cm x W50cm x H80cm | Weight: 45kg | Assembly time: 1 hour+

Pros:

• In-built climbing wall
• Great quality
• Weather-treated wood
• Choice of colours

Cons:

• Pricey
• Not suitable for younger toddlers
• Takes a while to assemble
• Doesn't fold up for storage
• No built-in handrail

Who needs a slide with steps when you can clamber up a mini-climbing wall instead? This wide, injection-moulded plastic slide slope is attached to super-sturdy, pressure-treated timber base with coloured, chunky plastic hand/foot holds that lead up to a wide top platform with good-sized grab handles at the side. It's very well designed and we love the storage space underneath for stowing away other garden toys.

It's not quick to assemble (allow a good hour) and you will need a drill for the job. And its impressive solidity means, once you've got it up, you're not going to want to be moving it around. Comes in Green (pictured) or Purple.

8. Smoby Super Megagliss 2-in-1 Slide, £269.99

Available at: Pramworld

Age: 2+ | Maximum child weight: 50kg | Size: L177cm (extending to 352cm) x W112cm x H186cm | Weight: 21kg | Assembly time: 20 minutes (2 adults), 1 hour for big version

Pros:

• Great longevity
• Great quality
• Safety grips on steps
• UV-treated

Cons:

• Pricey
• Not suitable for younger toddlers
• Takes a while to assemble
• Doesn't fold up for storage
• No colour choice
• No built-in handrail

This cleverly designed plastic slide starts off as a toddler slide but, with the addition of a 2nd module, you can extend its length, its height and its longevity. The plastic is anti-UV treated and it has anti-slip steps and hand holds at the top. It also comes with a ground-fixing kit for extra stability – especially useful when it's assembled in its bigger version.

Our child testers enjoyed the wavy chute but the older ones did point out that it can slow down your whizz to the bottom. It’s not hard to assemble, although it is a 2-person job, taking around 20 minutes for the small slide configuration and up to an hour for the full-length model. The screw heads are very large, and Smoby recommend using £2 coin to tighten the plastic screws instead, which works a treat.

9. Happy Hop Sharks Club inflatable water slide, £349

Available at: Selfridges

Age: 3+ | Size: : H450cm x W320cm x D240cm

Pros:

• Great quality
• Fun shark theme
• Lots of extra features
• Can be filled with water

Cons:

• Pricey
• Needs to be inflated and deflated
• Takes up a lot of space

In the summer months, what could be better than a massive inflatable slide? We'll tell you: an inflatable shark slide complete with climbing frame, secret tunnel and water canon. This slide is just perfect for those hot days and can be filled with water for splashy fun.

10. Chad Valley 9ft Kids Wavy Garden Slide, £180

Available at: Argos

Age: 3+ | Maximum child weight: 50kg | Size: H168 x W150 x D285cm | Weight: 19.8kg

Pros:

• Great quality
• Perfect for older kids
• Sturdy
• Long-lasting
• Includes water sprinkle feature

Cons:

• Requires anchoring to the ground
• Not suitable for younger kids

If you want a great big slide that will last your kids as they grow, try this 9ft Chad Valley wavey slide. It's incredibly sturdy with a powder coated steel frame, plus it includes a water sprinkle feature for the extra fun element. Just be aware they it's recommended you anchor the slide to the ground with weights or by digging two 35/35/35cm dimension holes and filling them with concrete.

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