Water slide rental: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What water slide rental is

A water slide rental company installs an inflatable water slide in your yard, connects a blower and a hose, sets the rules for use and removes it after the party. People rent them for summer birthdays, reunions and school events where children want to slide and splash.

Signs you need it

  • You want a water activity for children in a yard that has a flat, open area
  • The party is in warm weather and children will be in and out of the water all afternoon
  • You need a water source close to the site, with a hose connection that works
  • You want the slide set up before guests arrive and removed after the party
  • You want a clear set of rules for use, including who supervises

What the pro does

  • Checks the site size, the surface, the water source and the power access when you book
  • Delivers and installs the slide on the flat area you show them
  • Connects the blower and the water hose as the company's process requires
  • Tests the slide and the water flow before the children are allowed on it
  • Sets rules for use, such as the number of children, the sliding order and the supervision
  • Removes the slide, drains the water and hauls the unit away after the party

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Slide size and the number of lanes or features
  • Water source and whether the host provides the hose connection
  • Power source for the blower, and whether a generator is needed
  • Delivery distance and how hard the site is to reach
  • Length of the rental period and the pickup time
  • Weather plan if the event is moved or cancelled because of wind or rain

What a written quote should spell out

  • The slide size and style, and the age range recommended
  • Delivery, setup and pickup times
  • What the host must provide, such as the hose, water and power
  • Rules for use and supervision
  • What happens if the weather is unsafe or the water source fails

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What size of flat area do you need, and what surface is best for the slide?
  • What water and power do I need to provide, and how close must they be?
  • How many children can use the slide at once?
  • Who drains the water after the party, and where does it go?
  • What happens if the blower stops working during the party?
  • Do you carry liability insurance and can you send the certificate?

Red flags

  • Cannot say what water and power the slide needs or where the blower should sit
  • Will not send an insurance certificate when asked
  • Plans to set up the slide on a slope or close to trees and fences
  • Leaves no clear rules for children using the slide
  • Does not explain how the water is drained at the end of the party

What you can do yourself

You can clear the site yourself by removing sticks, rocks, toys and sharp objects, and by keeping the area clear of trees, fences and power lines. Do not connect the blower to power or the hose to water yourself unless the company gives you exact instructions and a qualified person checks the connections. Keep an adult watching the children at all times, and hire a rental company for the slide itself.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to rent a water slide. Ask the company for its liability insurance certificate, and check whether the local office has rules on amusement equipment or water use where you plan to set up.

Water slide rental questions

Can the slide go on grass?

Yes, on a flat, level area that the company approves. Ask for a site check before the day and avoid slopes and uneven ground.

Is the water safe for children to play in?

Ask the company what water it uses and how the hose is connected. Confirm the water source is one you can use for play, and ask what cleanup is needed afterward.

What should I do if the slide leaks or loses air?

Stop the children, turn off the blower and call the company right away. Do not try to repair the slide yourself.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More events and rentals guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request water slide rental