(**) Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning our company, JCHQ Publishing will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, but at no additional cost to you.
I always look for fun activity to do with my two young daughters, and playing on an inflatable water slide is definitely on my list. However, as I was researching online, I read many impractical reviews merely just provide a short product description.
It says nothing about the features, existing customer experience, and other relevant information that could help parents like me in making a purchasing decision. Therefore, I spent a few days researching for good quality inflatable water slide, and I’d like to share with you some my findings, hopefully, you would find them helpful.
My research is mostly based on the details I found on Amazon. I prefer using information from a third-party website as they could be less biased.
When I look for inflatable water slides, I would only consider one that:
- Have at least 50 previous buyers
- Over 80% of customers reviews are positive
- The average star rating is more than 4 out of 5
- There had not been any safety concern that I can locate
In each review, I will discuss different consideration when choosing a water slide. For example, its design, ease of setup and storage, overall customers review, durability, warranty, customer support, price range, size, recommended age.
Rather than going through a massive list of irrelevant options, to make your life easier, I will only go through
- 1 Water Slide for Small Backyard
- 2 Water Slides for Medium Size Backyard
- 2 Water Slides for Large Size Backyard
They are the ones that I find worth considering. I’ll also include a summary chart of these inflatable water slides at the end of the post, make sure to check it out!
Interesting Things in this Post
Water Slide for a Small Backyard
Tropical Splash Compact Backyard Water Slide fits well for a small backyard, with inflated dimension (in feet), 12.5L x 5.5’W x 5.5’H. It is very lightweight with only 40 lbs.
It has a simple, but fun design, with a climber, slide, and a splash pool. There’s also a water sprayer at the top of the slide.
Manufacturer recommended age is 36 months to 8 years old. It is for kids up to 75 lbs. Since this is a smaller scale unit, the company suggests two kids playing on it at the maximum. So one sliding, while one climbing.
In addition to the inflatable unit, it comes with the blower, carrying case, anchor stakes to secure the slide, and a step-by-step instructional guide.
Image linked from BlastZone/Amazon.com
Ease of Use
It is super easy to set up. You simply inflate it with the blower and attach it to the water hose. It should only take them a few minutes to do so. Since it is so lightweight, one adult can easily move it.
Some expressed it only take them 40 minutes to dry it after usage. However, this depends on where you live as the humidity level could vary across different areas. To prevent mold from building up, I would leave it out for longer and make sure it is completely dry before storage.
Durability
The surfaces of the slide and climber are made from commercial grade vinyl, which makes it very durable. Most of the customer applause that the slide is very durable. A family with three kids at ages 5,7,9 have been using it for four years, and the slide is still in good shape.
Customer review
This water slide receives 91 reviews, of which over 89% are positive, and only 11% are critics.
Many buyers love the ease to set up and clean up after use. Even a nine-month pregnant mom was able to set up for her three years old son. I wouldn’t recommend anyone doing so when they are pregnant, but you could get the sense of how easy it is to handle this water slide
Overall, customers are very satisfied with its durability. Many have been using it for years without any problem. In fact, a buyer actually pulled it around his yard and even across a patio, and there is no rip.
When I read the critics, a parent expressed that although they placed the slide on grass, the landing could be kind of hard for their child’s bum, so they recommend putting floaties in the splash pool area.
On the other hand, a mother wishes the slide could be bigger, as she finds the bottom to be a bit narrow and shallow. We will go over some bigger size water slide later in the post.
>> To read more customer review (This is an affiliate link)
Price Range
The last time I checked on Amazon the price range is $199 (USD).
Water Slides for a Middle Size Backyard
Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park
When comparing to the Tropical Splash Compact, the Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park is a relatively larger playset. It’s inflated dimension measurement (in feet) is 18’L x 11’W x 8’H with 60 lbs.
Not only it is bigger, but it also has some features which the Tropical Splash Compact does not have. The Hydro Rush has a water cannon where the children could have fun aiming water at each other. It’s climbing wall is more exciting and challenging. There are two overhead sprayers at the top of the slide.
One feature I really like is their circular layout of the Splash area. This allows your child to slide down exiting and re-entering the pool without touching the grass. It would help to keep the water and the inflatable cleaner.
It has a capacity for six kids to play together, one on the slide, one climbing, three in the splash pool. Manufacturer recommended age is three years old and up.
It comes with the inflatable unit, blower, carrying case, anchor stakes to secure the slide, and a step-by-step instructional guide.
Images linked from BlastZone/Amazon.com
Ease of Use
Setup is easy and quick. You simply lay out the inflatable, inflate it with the blower, hook up your hose and fill it with water. Then stake it down, and you’re done. Many users said it took them less than 10 minutes.
As for taking it down, many families express after they deflate it, it does take quite some time for it to completely dry. In addition to leaving it out in the sun, some people also wipe it with towels and dry it with their leaf blower.
Durability
This water park is made with commercial grade vinyl, with double and quadruple-stitched reinforced assembly. In other words, this water playset is built to last. So far, I could only locate positive comment about the durability. In fact, an actual customer even used it at daycare and home. Even though the kids were playing very rough on it, there’s no sign of any wear or damage.
Customer Review
The Hydro Rush water park receives 199 reviews, of which 89% are positive, and 11% are critics.
Many parents give a great compliment as this water park does bring their kids countless smiles, infectious giggles, and joyful memories. Some of them have fun putting this up for a small weekend party.
They mostly show great confidence in the durability of this playset. There is a family in Florida with five kids whose age range from 19 months to 13 years old. Although they all have been playing on it for three years, it held up well and did not fade at all.
As for the critics, they are mostly about the cleanup process. Quite a number of parents stated that it does take a long time for it to dry. After you deflate it, some suggest to leave it in outdoors for a day or two. Then you could inflate it back for a couple of hours to make sure it is completely dry. I would avoid leaving it on the grass when drying, as it could build up moisture. If you do not have a patio, consider placing the inflatable on a dry tarp.
Another common issue is that the bag that comes with the purchase is too small. You could consider buying a bigger one separately. A grandpa also had this problem, so he just stores it in a plastic bin instead.
If you are interested in reading more customer review, there is one on the Amazon website under Top Customer Reviews. It was written by a lady named Sara back on August 14, 2016, with a title “Blast Zone Memory Maker.” Sara took the time to write a very detailed and thorough review about this water park. She clearly listed out the pros and cons, also her experience of using this playset. It definitely worths reading before you make the purchase.
Price Range
I just checked it at Amazon.com, it is $399 USD.
Spray-N-Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park
Once again, I would classify it as a medium size water park. The unit’s dimension when inflated is (in feet) 20.5L x 7.5W x 8H with 48 lbs.
When comparing with the Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park, the Spray-N-Splash 2 is longer in length, but the width is narrow. Its weight is also lighter.
The water park also has an inside-return path. It allows your child can stay within the playset resulting in less grass and debris in the water. It could accommodate up to 4 kids for ages three years old and up.
The purchase would come with the inflatable unit, blower, carrying case, anchor stakes to secure the slide, and a step-by-step instructional guide.
Just like other Blast Zone’s water park, it has a sprayer at the top of the slide. But unlike the Hydro Rush, this one does not have the water cannon feature.
Spray-N-Splash 2 is an upgraded version of another popular Blast Zone water park. I would say the Spray-N-Splash 2 is a version with more features than the Tropical Splash Compact, but less than the Hydro Rush.
Image linked from Blast Zone/Amazon.com
Ease of Use
Just like the previously reviewed water slide, the Spray-n-Splash 2 is super easy to set up. Simply hook up the inflatable with the air pump, then connect with the water hose. An actual user shared a clip on Amazon about her experience in setting this water slide, and it literally took her less than two minutes to do so. Blast Zone Spray-n-Splash 2 Review: Check out video April 24, 2013
As for taking it down after usage, multiple users stated the inflatable water park only takes an hour or two to dry off in the sun completely.
Then you could roll it into the carry bag that comes with the purchase. The size would be about a medium to a large sleeping bag, which makes it very convenient for storage.
Unlike the Hydro Rush water park, where it could take a long time to dry, while its bag is too small to fit the inflatable, the Spray-n-Splash 2 seems to be a lot easier to clean up.
Durability:
The Spray-n-Splash 2 is manufactured with commercial grade vinyl. It uses double and quadruple-stitched reinforced assembly, with multi-stage quality control.
When I read over the customer reviews, most gave an excellent compliment to its durability. They are amazed at how strong and durable the inflatable is.
In fact, a parent who weighted over 200 lbs was so tempted by the fun and also take a slide. Surprisingly, it didn’t cause a disaster and the slide still hold up nice and strong.
Of course, this must be against all warnings from the manufacturer, so I would not recommend anyone in doing so. But you could get the sense of how well this inflatable water park is engineered.
Customer Review
Spray-N-Splash 2 receives 107 reviews, of which 94% are positive, and only 6% are critics.
Many customers are delighted how much fun and entertainment their kids are having on this inflatable water slide.
In fact, a mother bought the Spray-N-Splash as her second water park, as she wants to invite more children to have fun in their backyard. The previous one she purchased was also produced by Blast Zone, which is the same manufacturer. I’m confident she must have a great experience with this company’s products.
The previous model that she bought is the Shark Water Park, which I’ll also review later in this post.
One downfall a grandparent expressed is that although the DVD instructional guide is helpful, not everyone has a DVD player these days. I also agree with their view. Perhaps, Blast Zone should consider uploading their instructional videos online.
Price Range
At the time I’m writing this post, it is $349 USD.
Water Slides for Big Backyard
Shark Inflatable Water Park Bouncer
This is actually the water park I was talking about when I did the Spray-N-Splash 2 review. My daughters are waving fans to the song “Baby Sharks,” so I’m sure they would love this inflatable when they see the shark design.
In addition to the fun and steep water slide, it has gigantic 80 square-foot splash pool. The Shark Water Park also has a tank bouncer that could fit up to three children. To make it more interesting, you could also find one crawl tunnel, one overhead sprayer at the top of the slide, and three shark-fin sprayers at the sides of the splash pool.
The Shark Water Park is a lot bigger than the previous ones mentioned in this post. Its dimension after being inflated is 19 L X 11 W X 8.25 H.
Since the Shark Water Park is so spacious and has many features, it is also quite heavy, which weighs 88lbs.
Manufacturer recommends children with age 36 months to 10 years old. The maximum weight limit per child is 100 lbs. The water park can support one user sliding down and one user on the climbing wall at any given time. According to the Blast Zone’s website, it could accommodate up to 9 children at a time.
The purchase comes with the inflatable unit, a fan with GFCI, storage case, step-by-step instructions, and a repair kit.
Image linked from Blast Zone/Amazon.com
Ease of Use
Similar to the previously discussed water slides, setting up the Shark Water Park is a breeze. Simply inflate the water park, and connect it to a water hose. Many users expressed they can inflate it within just a few minutes. However, since it is quite heavy, you might need two adults in moving it into place.
As for taking down the slide, once again, the general rule of thumb is the bigger the inflatable, the longer it would take to dry. Make sure to drain all the water, lay it out in the sun, wipe it with towels, and inflate it again to air dry it. You could also consider using a leaf blower to blow off some of the water drops.
An actual user made a very practical suggestion. To save water, they used a pump to re-circulate it.
Rather than dumping the wastewater to only one spot of the lawn, which could potentially damage the grass, they also use the pump to drain the water on plants and evenly distribute the wastewater to different areas of the garden.
As for storage, some people just followed the way it was folded when they first unpacked it, and find it easy to put it into the storage bag. Some do find it difficult, so they store it in plastic container bin instead.
Durability
The Shark Water Park is made with exclusive high-strength x-Weave and commercial vinyl. One particular thing I like is that there is a netting that fully encloses bouncer, which provides extra safety to the kids.
Majority of users are extremely satisfied with its durability. In fact, a mom commented that his nine years old which weigh 110 lbs with height 5’0″ has been playing in it without any issue. Not only that, but the mother also went down the slide numerous times. She revealed that she weighs 115lbs and 5’4″ tall.
A father of a four years old boy from New York City is confident that his boy will eventually outgrow the playset before it is even damaged.
Customer Review
Out of the 77 customer reviews, over 92% are positive, while less than 8% are critics.
When I read over the reviews, most parents or grandparents are delighted that the Shark water park indeed bring endless fun to their kids. Many parents are setting it up for their kids at their birthday or BBQ party. To make the playset more exciting, some also include the play balls into the splash pool.
There was a concern that the cord to the blower might not be long enough. A mother did some research and found out that the problem can be easily solved by extending with 16-Gauge Cord.
Price Range
I just checked the price; it is $599.99 USD. I agree this would not be the cheapest water park. But with so many outstanding features, the size to accommodate a large number of children, many customers are happy with their purchasing decision. Rather than renting it for their child, you could calculate how many play times it takes to break even.
When I read the comment, a father expressed the park has been played no fewer than 50 times. Each time, with four to eight kids, were playing very roughly on it. >>To read more about the Shark Inflatable Water Park
Crocodile Isle Inflatable Water Park
This water park has vivid imagery of a crocodile so that the children could have fun as if they are in a jungle.
It is the widest water park I’m reviewing in this post, with 22 feet in width. It has a dual slides design where kids could have fun sliding simultaneously. Each slide has its own sprayers to keep it wet and slippery.
It has a gigantic splash area and a climbing wall at the front. This inflatable water park can accommodate up to 6 children with room to spare. Blast Zone recommends this to be for kids who are three years old and up.
The purchase would include the inflatable unit, UL listed blower, carrying case, instructional DVD.
Image linked from Blast Zone/Amazon.com
Ease of Use
When I read the user reviews, most of them commented that it is easy to set up. Just connect the unit to the blower, then it should inflate within minutes. However, some also expressed that the slide is heavy. A mother said she either need to move it around with a wheelbarrow, or she would need another adult in helping to set up. Also, it would take awhile to fill up the unit with water.
As for taking down an inflatable in this massive size, you probably could predict it would take a bit of work, especially that the drying process could easily take a few hours.
The deflated size is just like a rolled sleeping bag. Some users can get it back into the carrying bag by folding, rolling, and smashing the air out. While some simply store it in another plastic garden bin.
Durability
Blast Zone really lives out their reputation in manufacturing long-last and durable water slides, and the Crocodile Isle is no exception. When I research about its durability from existing users, most are impressed about the supreme quality of it.
Once again, the Crocodile Isle is constructed with commercial grade impact surfaces, double and quadruple-stitched reinforced assembly, multi-stage quality control and exclusive X-Weave material.
A parent said their kids have already been playing on it for 7 to 8 times during the summer, and there’s no sign of wear and tear.
Another couple bought this for their son’s 10th birthday. Not only their kid love it, but the parents also had fun trying out the slides themselves. They then invited about 15 kids whose age around 9 to 10 years old to play on it. Despite these are apparently against the manufacturer’s usage guideline, the Crocodile Isle Inflatable did hold up nice and sturdy.
Customer Review
At the date, I’m writing this post; the Crocodile inflatable water park (Affiliate link to buy at Amazon) received 187 reviews. Of which about 92% are positive, and 8% are critics.
On the pros, most commented it is easy to setup and extremely durable. Plus, kids always have a fantastic experience playing on it. A couple got it for five years already, and it has been great for parties, BBQ, etc.
Another parent expressed the water park can really wear the kids out. Several kids played on the slide from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, then all of them is ready for a nap.
As for the cons, beside a small number of products defects, it is mostly about the after-use cleaning. A user commented that the Crocodile water park is heavy and bulky, it is definitely a chore to clean up and take down. Also, the process of drying could take them 2 to 3 days. Failure to completely dry it before storage could result in mold building up.
Price Range
I just went on Amazon.com and it is $649.99 USD.
BlastZone’s Warranty & Customer Support
By now, you might wonder why I only suggest inflatable water playset made from BlastZone. To be honest, this isn’t my intention when I decided to write this review. But as I filtered them based on my pre-determined category, only the BlastZone water slides and parks made into my list. I guess a good company does have the continuing trend in gaining satisfying customers.
In fact, I also wrote an in-depth review of another Blast Zone water slide, which is designed for a big backyard. It is the Pirate Bay Inflatable Combo Water Park.
But I guess this post should already contain enough good options for you to consider.
Of course, I wouldn’t say all their products are 100% perfect. When I read over their customer reviews, some people did complain receiving defective inflatables. However, the number of critics are extremely low, typically lower than 10%. Therefore, I personally believe these are standalone cases.
Despite the chance of getting a defective product is low since an inflatable water slide is not an inexpensive playset, it is important that the manufacturer has an excellent reputation of customer support and a reasonable warranty program.
Most existing users are delighted with the BlastZone Customer Support. Based on their responses on the Amazon website, it seems that whenever there are questions or issues with the inflatables, Blast Zone would try their best to resolve them.
For example, a dad contacted Blast Zone that the blower went out after about a year of usage, they sent him the replacement quite promptly.
Another review I read is a climbing wall handle of the Crocodile Isle Inflatable came off. So the parent emailed BlastZone explaining the problem, along with the picture of the damaged handle. Within 30 minutes, Blast Zone responded and approved the warranty.
In terms of the warranty, to my understanding, Blast Zone has a 1 year warranty would cover against factory made defects such as stitching coming unraveled or tearing of the seam lines. This would enable you to get a free replacement that would ship without the blower.
Of course, just like any other warranty, it has its own terms and conditions. You must not abuse using the inflatable water park. Also, the covering condition could be different for residential and commercial usage. Here’s a link I found about their warranty: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71lXQsE46+S.pdf
Do you find this summary helpful? If so, please re-pin it to your board!
Disclaimer: This content of this website is for general information, and do not intend to provide any specific advice. Although I’m trying my best in providing accurate information, I cannot guarantee they are error-free. Information displayed on this website could be subjected to change. For any medical-related question, you should always consult with your family doctor. For product related question, you should consult with the actual manufacturer.
Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please understand that I include them based on my experience or the research on these companies or products, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Jacob is a father of two daughters. He loves spending quality time with them in the backyard. Playing sports, blowing bubbles, and planting are some the favorite activities Jacob and his daughters like to do together. He believes it is essential to spend quality time with them while they are still young.