How to Create a Garden Slip and Slide

12th Jun 2026

When the weather warms up, there’s no better way to cool off than with a classic slip and slide. The good news is you don’t need expensive equipment – a simple tarpaulin, some water and a patch of grass are all you need to create hours of family fun.

With the right setup, a tarpaulin can quickly transform your garden into a fast and refreshing summer slide that both kids and adults will love.

What you’ll need to build your garden slip and slide

Setting up a tarpaulin slip and slide is surprisingly simple and only requires a few basic items. Most of them can be found at home or in our online store.

To get started, you will need:

      1. An open area with a slight slope so you can slide easily
      2. Tent pegs to hold the tarp in place
      3. Your choice of soap or body wash as a lubricant
      4. A steady supply of water, either via a hose or sprinkler
      5. A tarpaulin
      6. Tarp tape to join two or more tarpaulins together if required (Optional)

We have a range of tarpaulins that are perfect for this exhilarating activity, available in various sizes and at low prices. Our tarpaulin sheets can be ordered online in singles or in bulk, making it easy to find the right option for your setup.

We also stock everything you need to help keep your slip and slide secure. You can shop tent pegs for anchoring your tarpaulin in place, as well as tarp tape to join more tarpaulins together.

How to Make a Tarpaulin Slip and Slide

Building a tarp slip and slide is quick and easy:

      1. Choose a soft grassy area with a gentle slope. Avoid steep hills so the slide remains safe and manageable.
      2. Unroll the tarpaulin down the slope, ensuring it lies flat against the ground.
      3. Secure the edges using tent pegs so the sheet doesn’t move during use.
      4. Run a hose or sprinkler over the tarp to completely wet the surface and keep it running when using the slip and slide.
      5. Add a small amount of soap or body wash to help slide smoothly.

Once everything is ready, simply let the kids loose! While a tarpaulin slip and slide is suitable for children, you'll almost certainly find the adults will soon be queuing up to have a go, too.

Why Tarpaulins Create the Best Slip and Slides

Tarpaulins are an excellent choice for creating a homemade slip and slide because they are durable, tear-resistant and waterproof. They’re available in various sizes to create the length of slide you need.

They’re also lightweight and flexible, so they can be rolled out and secured with tent pegs, and then rinsed, dried and easily stored once the fun is done.

For slip and slides, we recommend our blue economy polyethylene tarpaulins from Tarpaflex.

Safety Tips for Tarpaulin Slip and Slides

Before launching into the fun, it’s important to make sure the area is safe.

      • Check that there are no protruding eyelets or seams that could cause injury.
      • Ensure tent pegs are pushed flat into the ground.
      • Always set up your tarpaulin slip and slide on soft grass rather than hard surfaces.
      • Check the area for stones, sticks, or other debris before laying your tarps.
      • Make sure young children are supervised by an adult.

More Uses for Your Tarpaulin

A tarpaulin isn’t just useful for summer fun. Once the warmer weather fades, the same sheet can be used in many practical ways around the home and garden. To protect and cover valuable items, as well as those that may be damaged by the extremities of the weather.

Lightweight and easy to handle, they are rot and shrink proof as well as being waterproof. Meaning they can be stored away in a shed or garage and used for multiple purposes.

As long as you look after it properly, your tarpaulin can last for years. Correct usage and careful storage are all that's needed.

Tarpaflex tarpaulins are built for the long term, offering excellent value for money. We also stock canvas tarpaulins, camouflage tarpaulins and heavy-duty tarpaulins.

Enjoy Affordable Outdoor Fun

A slip slide course is a guaranteed way to spend a superb few hours, and many people combine it with a barbecue, making the most of the warm weather, good food and outdoor activities.

High quality tarpaulins are strong and durable, so can be used again and again. When the day is over and the garden is tidied up, all you have to do is hang or lay the tarpaulin somewhere convenient to let it dry, and then you simply store it in a garage, a shed or loft.

Create the Perfect Garden Slip and Slide with Tarpaflex

Ready to create your own garden slip and slide? Browse the full range of tarpaulins, tent pegs and tarp tape at Tarpaflex to find everything you need for a fun filled day.

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