SLIP AND SLIDE!

Throughout my Childhood, throngs of toys came in and out of my life, probably on a weekly basis. I was a very destructive child, and smashing my toys in the driveway with a rock or other large blunt object was one of my favorite pastimes. Often, when I was finished “playing” with my toys, I would move onto my older sister’s doll collection, which soon formed into a headless heap of small limbs and discarded hair. There is, however, a very specific toy which I remember sharing with all my siblings; a Slip and Slide.

Growing up with two older siblings and a younger one, finding a communal toy was a difficult task, which explains why I can recall so few. The Slip and Slide proved to be a game we could all play together, albeit in different ways. A basic slip and slide consists of a long, narrow strip of thin yellow rubber, which is connected to a garden hose, which in turn lubricates the entire surface to create a wet, slippery strip of summer fun!

When the Slip and Slide was ready to be used, we would take turns running and sliding across the surface. I remember trying to purposely fall off the edges of the Slip and Slide, sending me tumbling into wet grass. Also, when it wasn’t my turn, I would pick up the hose, and spray the next sliding subject directly, creating a more intense, high-risk variation of the Slip and Slide, or so I thought. Although I can’t recall any specifics about the difference in how I played with the Slip and Slide as opposed to my siblings, I’m almost certain I was much rougher on the equiptment. I also remember playing with the Slip and Slide by myself, long after everyone was onto the next activity.