Moonbounces and Waterslides :)

A few weeks ago my friend Amanda asked me and a few of our other friends if we'd be interested in renting a waterslide with her before we all left for college again. Obviously the answer was "YES!!!" Here's how you can host your own waterslide extravaganza without breaking the bank:

What you'll need:
     - 10 or 20 friends that are willing to cough up some cash for the occasion
     - a rental waterslide (or moonbounce)
     - space for said rental
     - plenty of food and drinks

The first step is to research moonbounce/waterslide rental companies in your area and find rentals that you're interested in. If you're interested in a more expensive model then it may be a good idea to choose a less-expensive, back-up option as well (in case not enough people can come to make your first choice affordable).

Next, choose a date and invite all your friends. Show them a picture of the rental you're interested in and explain that if everyone contributes then you all can have one awesome afternoon. They'll probably want an estimate of how much each person will have to chip in. Unless you and your friends are rich, I would suggest a $30 maximum contribution by each person. Ask everyone to RSVP at least 15 days before the day of the rental so that you have enough time to collect money and reserve what you want.

If enough people are interested and you can raise the money then go ahead and reserve the rental. I would suggest collecting all (or at least part) of the money before you do this, as moonbounces and waterslides are somewhat expensive. You may want to make it clear to guests that you will not be giving out refunds if their plans change (unless you're a super nice person that isn't to stressed about money. Then feel free to give refunds if they can't make it).

As the date of your rental nears, buy some food and drinks for the party.

Finally (on the day of your extravaganza), ENJOY!

Here's a picture of the waterslide we rented a few weeks ago:

It was 60 feet long, 22 feet high, and excessively amazing.

More tips:
     - The more people you invite, the cheaper the moonbounce/waterslide will be. Most rentals, however, have a limit on the number of people that can use it at one time. If you invite A LOT of people then you may want to have other forms of entertainment as well (i.e. music for dancing, a home-made slip 'n' slide).
     - If you're a broke college student or just plain broke then feel free to add on a $5 food charge to the amount you're collecting from each person.
     - Waterslides WILL cause your yard to become semi-flooded and super-muddy. Don't rent one if your parents/landlord are OCD about the appearance of their yard.
     - For the above reason it's a good idea to make a walkway to the bathroom using old towels so that your house doesn't get mud all over it.

Home-Made Slip 'N' Slide

I was going to start this post with some lame pitch about how awesome slip 'n' slides are. I've decided that I'm just going to assume that you already know that instead. If you aren't aware that slip 'n' slides are awesome, just take my word for it. The down-side to slip 'n' slides: most are made for children and are therefore too small for adult fun. Plus they can be pricey. I KNOW. IT'S AWFUL. Thankfully, the following is a guide to making your own super-fun slip 'n' slide for about $20-$30 (and if that's too expensive for you, make it with friends. If you get four of them then the price goes down to $4-$6 each. Not to mention this is one of those things that's better with friends anyways). And now for the guide:

What you'll need:

     - plastic sheeting, a tarp, OR heavy duty trash bags

     - duct tape (only if using trash bags)

     - water

     - dish soap (optional)

     - stakes

The first step in making a slip 'n' slide is selecting materials. The three listed below each have pros and cons.

     - Plastic sheeting is relatively inexpensive, but it can be difficult to find sheeting that is both as long and wide as you want, as well as thick enough. Avoid buying sheeting that is less than 5mil thick.

     - Tarps can easily be found in varying sizes (up to 60 ft long or more) and are much more durable than the other two options. They are, however, more expensive.

     - Plastic trash bags are inexpensive and can be used to make a slip 'n' slide as long or as short as you want. Unfortunately, trash bag slip 'n' slides require more assembly than the first two options. As with the plastic sheeting, thickness is important, so avoid buying anything less than 3mil thick (which doubles to 6mil).

I chose to use heavy duty trash bags so that my slip 'n' slide would be both thick enough and long enough. I bought the following box of bags:

and then duct-taped them together like this: (I taped both sides)

I decided to tape the longer sides together so that the slide would be wider. This does, however, require more taping.

After you assemble your slide (or open the packaging it came in), choose where you would like to put it. I usually look for a slight slope, although steeper hills or flat areas work too.

Stake the slip 'n' slide into the ground. I put two tent stakes at the top. If necessary, stakes can be put at the bottom of the slide as well. I would suggest covering them with scrap fabric using rubber bands so that they won't hurt if the slider hits them. You may have to readjust the slide's angle later (you'll figure out after the first few runs whether this is necessary or not).

Bring the hose to the start of the slide and let the water run along the length of it. You may need to adjust the material by stepping down on it or moving it in areas to ensure that the water flows down the entire slide. If desired, squirt dish soap onto your slide to make it more slippery.

A final suggestion is to put towels or a heavy-duty trash bag filled with water at the bottom of your slip 'n' slide so that the slider can easily stop, rather than going right onto the grass.

Voila! Your slide is ready for action! Here's a shot of me on the one my friends and I made: (We later extended it (15ft is pretty short for an adult slip 'n' slide) but by that time it was dark so no photos for you internet (you're SO disappointed, I know)).

More slip 'n' slide tips:
     - Tie soccer socks or dish towels around your knees to prevent bruises or grass burn (in the event you slide off course).
     - Bending your elbows WILL slow you down. Assume a 'Superman' position, with your arms straightened in front of you.