How to Build a Water Park in your Backyard

Are you pondering how to build a water park in your backyard? If YES, here are 7 steps to build a water park in your backyard. When the summer months are fast approaching, one of the things every parent is eager for is a way to get the kids out of the house. Getting the family away from screens when the sun is shining can be a daunting challenge. However, with the promise of some wet and wild excitement, you can get them all to consider some outdoor fun.

Water parks are some of those places kids wouldn’t mind spending all day, playing in the water until their hands prune. On a normal summer day, the water park can be quite a popular destination. But if you are someone who is not so comfortable with crowds, then you should consider a water park in your backyard.

Homemade backyard water park interests a lot of people, especially families with little children. But you have to understand that these water parks take time to construct. You will also be expected to obtain certain permits, a reliable water source, and expertise on how to build it. It is also necessary to know the costs and the pros and cons of homemade backyard water parks.

Have in mind that the primary feature of any backyard water park is the pool. Without a pool, you basically have just a costly slip and slide. Note that the cost of constructing a pool will vary, depending on its construction. Building a pool costs about $16,801 to $44,585 on average! In-ground models range from $36,750 to $66,500. Above-ground styles range $700 to $3,600. And custom pools can cost upward of $100,000.

Another major feature of a backyard water park is a water slide. For your backyard water park slide, there are various options in the market. Premade water slides are very simple to install and can be bought for as little as $4,000. Note that these slides are ideal for adding a fun feature to your pool area while not accumulating so much room.

To get a water slide(s) that is suitable and more involved in your backyard water park, consider going for a custom option. Custom slides can be as long and as intense as you want and tend to come with detailed assessments and landscaping work. Custom pool slides can cost upward of $100,000. Other things to consider are waterfalls and water jets. These kinds of features vary in cost depending on your pool and the extent of work needed.

7 Steps to Build a Water Park in your Backyard

Even if you don’t have a pool, there are still many ways you can use water to create some summer fun and some great memories in your backyard. Here are steps to help you set it up.

1. Consider Safety First

When looking to build a water park in your backyard, note that safety would be the first thing you have to consider. You will have to make sure there are no rough objects in your backyard that the kids can trip over. If you intend to set up a slip and slide, make sure you set it as far away from the fence as possible, and also make sure you’re watching the kids when they’re playing.

2. Plan Your Stations

Have in mind that there are numerous water activities you can set up for your backyard water park. Slip and slides, water guns, and balloon-filling areas are common additions that are ideal to keep the kids happy and interested all afternoon.

Nevertheless, instead of throwing everything out on the lawn and telling them to go for it, ensure to carefully organize each station and plan out how every activity will happen. Always remember that kids fair well to structure and some rules. This will also give your backyard water park a more attractive feel.

3. Don’t Forget the Rest Station

Even though it’s always advisable to let the kids out to get some exercise, it is imperative that you create a place for them to rest. You should consider setting up a shady spot with comfortable places to rest, and also remember that plenty of drinking water is an important part of making sure that no one gets overheated or dehydrated from the excitement.

4. Involve your Neighbourhood Kids

One good tradition about summer is that it is a good period to get together with friends. To make your backyard water park very enticing and more fun for the kids, consider inviting some of the neighborhood kids over. This will make it more likely that your kids will steadily use the backyard water park. You might even get a break from supervising if other parents come over to help too.

5. Consider the Pets

Pets like dogs enjoy playing in the water just as much as kids do. Therefore, you should consider setting up a rotating sprinkler head for the dog to play in and invite some of the neighbor dogs over to play along with the kids. However, just like with humans, always ensure there is a shady spot for the dogs to relax and get some water. They can get too excited and overheated, too.

6. Remove Stagnant Water

Always remember to cover up or clear any standing water when the kids are done for the day. Mosquitoes and some harmful pests easily lay eggs in standing water. Note that if you leave stagnant water in your yard, your backyard water park could end up being a good location for them to breed.

To get rid of stagnant water, consider getting everyone to play a game of puddle hunt to make sure everything has been cleared before coming inside for the evening. Note that you can use a broom to sweep out any water that may have been stagnant in any area of the backyard and cover any other water that you plan to use again the following day, like a small pool.

7. Consider Professional Installation

Note that you may not have to worry about this if you are having a slide into a plastic pool. But if you are planning on building water slides that are complex or interesting, then it is imperative you seek the services of experts, and call on people who have been installing them for years. Although it might be quite expensive, but professional installation is much less expensive than having your kid injured.

Water Park ideas to Consider For Your Backyard

Once you can make your own water park in your backyard, you won’t have to wait in line, pay for tickets, or even spend as much time on any activity that you would like. Here are a few ideas to consider for your backyard water park.

1. Water Balloon Piñatas For Your Backyard Water Park

You can easily do this if you have a pergola, covered patio, or tree in your backyard. But if you don’t have any of those, then you can get innovative with the corner of a fence. Note that to do these; you will need some rope or string, water balloons, clothespins, and an object that is safe to swing!

• Fill up about six or seven balloons with water, while making sure to tie them up. Also, keep them in a bucket filled with water so they don’t explode too early.
• Leverage your rope or string to make a clothesline somewhere in your backyard. Note this could be a tree, your patio, pergola, or the corner of your fence.
• Use the clothespins to attach the water balloons to the line you have just strung up.
• Let the kids hit those balloons!
• Use a blindfold if your kids want a challenge!

2. Inculcate Inexpensive Inflatable Station To Your Backyard Water Park

Note that you can find these at big box stores like Target or Walmart. Simply pick up some inflatable pools, sprinklers, slides, and toys. You can also get them on sale because the stores are beginning to clear out their summer pool items.

Once you have everything you need, create stations in your backyard. Note that you can fill up a kiddie pool with water and water balloons at one station. You can also consider a giant, inflatable, unicorn sprinkler, or an inflatable slip-and-slide, or an inflatable waterslide! Just mix it up and let your kids enjoy themselves.

3. Use A Tarp To Create Your Own Slip-And-Slide

Have it in mind that this is one of the best you can inculcate, especially because it needs the least number of tools, and less time for arranging. Note that all you need is a tarp, some tear-free soap (or dish soap), and a water hose!

• Cover your tarp in soap.
• Then spray the tarp with water until it gets really slippery.
• Have your kids take a running start!

4. Create Your Own Splash Pad With An Upcycled Bottle

You can also use the tarp mentioned above to create your own splash pad. Families in downtown and other urban areas always tend to enjoy a good splash pad. And this can be done with minimal equipment. All you have to get is some duct tape, your water hose, something sharp, and an old plastic two-liter bottle.

• Take your sharp object (scissors or knife) and poke holes in your bottle.
• Connect the bottle to your hose.
• Turn on that water and get to splashing!
• Get a multi-hose valve connector so you can connect multiple hoses

5. DIY Giant Water Blob

To make this, you just have to get an 8-foot x 10-foot piece of plastic sheeting that’s about 4 mm thick. You will also need an iron, parchment paper, and a water hose.

• Fold the piece of plastic sheeting in half.
• Make use of the iron to seal the open end of the sheeting. Ensure to use the parchment paper in between the iron and the sheeting so the iron doesn’t completely melt the plastic.
• Iron all the edges, leaving a small opening for the hose.
• Fill with water and then seal the hole.
• Let the blob fun begin

Conclusion

There are only a few things as enjoyable as splashing around in wave pools and taking a ride down a water slide. Note that with a nice little water park in your very own backyard, you can access refreshing playtime any time you wish!

When it comes to water parks, safety is one of the main priorities. A slide is no longer fun if it comes with scrapes, bruises, and broken arms. So, ensure to take every factor into consideration to enable you to create a fun and safe environment for your kids.