The Benefits of a Playground Tube Slide

A playground tube slide is a fun addition to any playground. Kids love the thrill of sliding down a long, winding tunnel and they learn valuable skills while doing so.

When positioned correctly, slide equipment can help reduce heat-related injuries such as contact burns. However, some equipment can become hot to the playground tube slide touch when exposed to direct sunlight.

Boosts Gross Motor Skills

Playground equipment can help children build the gross motor skills that will prepare them for a range of other movement activities. These include balance, coordination and sequencing — essential skills that are developed on a variety of playground equipment. For example, swinging and climbing both require kids to use their arms and legs to coordinate movements while also shifting their weight from one foot to the other.

Climbing ladders to the top of slides teaches kids to balance and shift their weight while climbing, then decide how they will head down the slide — will they climb quickly or slowly? How high will they go down the slide?

A playground tube slide, which can be straight or spiral, is a fun way to add diversity to a playground. Children who have a variety of different ways to reach the bottom of a play structure are more likely to spend more time on the equipment and burn more energy while doing so. This is especially beneficial for younger children who may be less comfortable or brave enough to swing across monkey bars or scale specific equipment.

Another aspect of a playground tube slide that sets it apart from other playground equipment is its safety features. In addition to a design that minimizes sharp edges and recessed bolts that won’t snag on clothing or skin, tube slides feature closed S-hooks to help reduce the risk of children getting caught or injured.

Strengthens Legs

Kids use their legs to climb the ladders and stairs of a slide, helping to build their strength, muscle coordination and physical endurance. Children also develop spatial awareness by judging when it is appropriate to put their feet down on the ground after they are sliding or gliding down.

The thrill of the slide motivates kids to continue climbing ladders or stepping up on rungs on bars or jungle gyms, further strengthening their upper and lower body muscles as they work to reach the top. All this exercise helps to increase cardiovascular fitness, a vital component of a healthy lifestyle.

When kids slide, they have to keep their torsos straight in order to maintain balance and stay upright as gravity pulls them down the slope of the slide. This strengthens their core muscles and improves their sense of balance. Sliding also creates increased vestibular stimulation, helping children become more aware of how their bodies move through space and against gravity. It also sharpens their proprioception, increasing an understanding of body position and improving their decision-making abilities.

Increases Confidence

Children who successfully climb to the top of a playground tube slide and ride down it will experience a sense of accomplishment that boosts their confidence. The feeling of mastery they gain will also inspire them to try other challenges, like navigating a twisting and turning jungle gym tunnel or a climbing wall, which is good for their physical and social development.

Physically, the effort it takes to climb up a ladder to reach a slide helps children develop arm and leg strength, while having to wait on the ladder or at the top promotes coordination, balance and spatial orientation. These things might occur at the same time, as kids get adjusted to new situations and navigate them with others around them. They will also learn to be patient, a skill that will come in handy later in life as they take turns on other play equipment or wait to go down the slide themselves.

Kids can choose from a wide range of playground slides, including open and closed styles, curvy or straight tube slides and spiral-shaped ones. Closed slides offer protection against sun overheating and rain, whereas open slides encourage children to use their imagination while playing and explore different ways they can ride down a slide.

Encourages Teamwork

As a play staple, the slide is a favorite for children of all ages. Its popularity often means that kids have to wait for their turn to go down, which teaches them the importance of teamwork. They must work together to avoid full scale battles over whose turn it is, learning to be understanding of other’s opinions and needs. This is an important life lesson that can be carried on to their classrooms and workplaces as they learn to work with others on projects and teams.

The structure’s design also helps develop coordination, balance and spatial orientation. Children must playground tube slide carefully move up the ladder and then wait patiently at the top before it is their turn to ride down. This promotes balance, which is an essential skill for young children to learn. It also encourages them to think about how they should position their bodies to avoid falling over the side and hurting themselves.

A playground tube slide is the perfect addition to any playground. With a wide selection of color options and the option for both straight and spiral chutes, these slides can help you create a unique and fun play area for your children’s school or park. Check out our full line of playground equipment to find the right piece for your site. Before you purchase a new piece of playground equipment, refer to the CPSC’s guidelines on “Use Zones” and other safety regulations.