How to Make a Slip and Slide Slippery the Safe Way
A slip and slide is an easy way to keep children amused for hours. The entertainment can be
made at home with tarps or heavy plastic. The biggest problem will be ensuring that the surface
is slippery enough – water alone seldom works efficiently.
The key to any entertainment is ensuring safety. Be sure to set it up away from utility lines,
fences, structures, sprinkler heads and other items that can cause an injury if children slide into
them.
Plastic
A successful slip and slide begins with choosing the best plastic for the task. Visqueen is a good
choice as it’s highly durable. Select plastic that’s at least 6 mil.
Water Flow
Water is a critical element in a slip and slide and must flow from the top to the bottom. The
device must have a steady stream of liquid available at all times to avoid dry areas that can
result in friction burns. It can be helpful to place holes in an old hose and place it at points along
the way to ensure saturation of the plastic. There should be good drainage to avoid turning a
pristine lawn into a mud pit.
Extra Lubrication
A bottle of tearless baby shampoo will work wonders for ensuring a lubricated surface. Many
people use dishwashing liquid, but it’s never a good idea. The soap will get in youngsters’ eyes,
resulting in irritation and pain.
Some have found that rubbing household wax paper over the plastic makes for a slippery
surface. Other alternatives include olive oil, baby oil or vegetable oil. Just remember that oils
are difficult to remove from the skin without a shower. Try to locate an environmentally-
friendly lubricant.
Other Considerations
A responsible adult should always be available to ensure the safety of users. Don’t let another
slider take their turn until the person before them has cleared the plastic. Unsupervised slip and
slides can result in serious injuries if basic, common sense safety precautions aren’t observed.
Much has been said and written about the importance and benefits of exercise on a child’s physical health. However, little has been reported about the impact it has on mental health – which is considerable. The focus isn’t on building muscle and endurance, though that’s a side benefit. The goal is overall mental wellbeing.
Even moderate levels of activity are beneficial. There’s a multitude of activities in which children can engage and it doesn’t have to include organized sports or a regimented routine. Bike riding, swimming, Frisbee, disc golf, badminton, rollerblading and skateboarding are all effective means of getting needed exercise.
Kids of all ages love a party, but it’s essential to have some party games and activities planned to keep them fully engaged. With the wide range of affordable inflatables available, a kid’s party can take many forms. Hosts can choose a waterslide for a beach theme, inflatable carnival games, or even a rock-climbing wall. The choices are almost endless and there are options for youngsters of any age.
There are
A kid’s interest can seem to change from day-to-day and a themed party that brings elements of their favorite things to life is a surprise that any youngster loves. The following are some of the most popular themes for kids age 5-8. Parents can use their own judgement should their child have different interests.
A memorable and fun party doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are dozens of dollar stores that have everything from disposable plates and balloons to banners and other types of decorations. It’s easy on the budget and even enables parents to send home a goody bag with the kids.
Small gatherings deserve the same amount of care and a fun factor equal to major events and you can achieve that goal in a variety of ways. There’s a myriad of methods to liven up a small gathering that’s as much fun for adults as children. The following are some suggestions in no particular order.
Many schools have eliminated a variety of traditional classes as cost cutting measures or to accommodate curriculum courses that prepare students for standardized testing. Art is typically one of the first classes on the chopping block, despite the many ways in which it benefits students.
Art is important at every age, whether it’s a first grader expressing themselves with color or high school students learning how to work with clay. While what they learn usually won’t turn into a profession, the knowledge and skills they gain will be useful throughout their lifetime, particularly in creative careers.
Most people automatically think about painting in regard to art, but it includes much more. It encompasses the disciplines of painting, sculpting, dance and drama – to name a few. The following are just some of the reasons that arts education is important.