The best inflatable water slides to keep kids cool this summer
With the weather growing warmer and school holidays drawing closer, it’s the perfect time to lock in your game plan for entertaining the kids over summer. Our favourite hack for keeping them busy and cooling them off? An inflatable water slide that they can use in your very own yard.
As an easy alternative to time-consuming trips to the pool, these best inflatable water slides won’t just make your children happy; they’ll make your life a little bit easier, too.
Our picks for Australia’s best inflatable water slides 2025
- #1 Best inflatable water slide: Bestway H2O Go Splash Tower Mega Water Park, $279 from Target
- Best for big families: Sweet Candy Inflatable Water Slide Bounce House, $419.95 (was $699.99) from Costway
- Best budget-friendly buy: Jungle Adventure Play Centre, $119 from Kogan
- Best for waterslide races: Racing Fun Slide, $129 from Amazon
- Best extra features: Babyjoy Inflatable Bounce House and Waterslide, $409.95 from Big W
- Best for small backyards: Chalmers Water Inflatable Slip and Slide, $48.95 from Temple & Webster
1. Bestway H2O Go Splash Tower Mega Water Park
$279 from Target
Best overall pick
When you want the “wow” factor in your backyard, this Splash Tower delivers. With its climbing wall, giant slide, water sprayer, splash pool, and even a basketball hoop, it’s basically a mini waterpark in your own lawn.
One 5-star review writer says, “We got this as a Christmas present for our 5-year-old, and it has been a hit! Perfect for play dates at home. Not overly big but not babyish either.”
2. Sweet Candy Inflatable Water Slide Bounce House
$419.95 (was $699.99) from Costway
Best for: big families
Why settle for just one way to play when you can have nine? This candy-coloured inflatable is part water slide, part bounce house, and part climbing wall, with plenty of extras (like a basketball hoop and tunnel for good measure). Parents will appreciate the safety netting, soft walls and quick set-up, while kids will love the bright, whimsical theme that feels straight out of a fairground.
Intex Jungle Adventure Play Centre
$119 from Kogan
Best for: affordable fun
Create a magical oasis in your backyard with the Intex Jungle Adventure Play Centre! With adorable inflatable animals to befriend, a slide, and a shallow pool to keep cool in, it’s no surprise that this inflatable waterslide made the list.
One happy mum wrote in her review, “I bought this pool for my 3.5 and 1 year old and it’s lovely; plenty of space for them to play and they love all the little blow up features.“
Racing Fun Slide
$129 from Amazon
Best for: aspiring racecar drivers
At over five metres long, the Intex Racing Fun Inflatable Slide lets little ones line up on their own surf riders and zoom to the finish. Just hook it up to the garden hose, and the built-in sprayer keeps the track cool and slippery for hours of giggles.
Quick to inflate, easy to pack away, and equipped with a repair patch for those inevitable bumps along the way, it’s perfect for friends keen to challenge each other to a splashy showdown.
Babyjoy Inflatable Bounce House Jumping Castle with Blower
$409.95 from Big W
Best for: extra games and activities
With a built-in slide, climbing wall, water cannon, large splash pool, and a blower for inflation, this bounce house gives kids multiple ways to play.
Parents will love that this option gives your little ones variety, so they’re less likely to fight over who gets the slide next. Plus, the protective netting keeps energy contained (and minds at ease).
Chalmers Water Inflatable Slip and Slide
$48.95 from Temple & Webster
Best for: smaller yards
If space is tight, this slip and slide is a true winner. Its bright, multicoloured unicorn design is instantly inviting, and it’s easy to roll out, hook to the hose, and get sliding.
The simplicity is a strength: fewer seams, less fuss, and a lower likelihood of parts failing. Just be sure to pick a flat, clear strip of lawn to avoid bumps, and supervise kids as they dash and slide.
Find the perfect inflatable water slide for your family
Inflatable waterslides are all about fun, but it’s natural to have questions first. We’ve rounded up the answers to help you choose the right one for you and your little ones.
When used properly, inflatable waterslides can be a safe and fun way for kids to cool off and burn energy. And for some extra reassurance, look for slides with safety features like mesh siding, padded walls, and secure anchoring.
The most important thing to remember is to keep a close eye on kids while they’re playing, and follow the manufacturer’s weight and age guidelines. With adult supervision, inflatable slides are designed to be both fun and safe.
If your family loves outdoor play, they can be a fantastic investment. For the cost of a couple of family trips to a waterpark, you get a backyard attraction kids can enjoy all summer long. The variety of designs (from simple slip-and-slides to full water parks with climbing walls) means there’s something to suit most budgets and backyards. They also pack away when not in use, which is a plus for storage.
Most inflatables come with an electric blower that keeps the slide firm by continuously pumping in air. Once the play is over, you switch off the blower, let the slide deflate, drain any water, and leave it to dry before folding it away.
It all depends on your family’s needs and space. For younger kids or smaller yards, a compact slip-and-slide or single-lane inflatable may be best. Alternatively, larger backyards and families with multiple children might get more out of a multi-feature “water park” design with climbing walls, splash pools, and slides. Consider your children’s ages, the size of your yard, how much storage space you have, and your budget.
