What Should Kids Wear on an Inflatable Water Slide?

The safest thing for kids to wear on an inflatable water slide is a snug swimsuit with no hard parts — no zippers, buckles, snaps, or jewelry that can scratch the slide or catch on the way down. Bare feet or secure water shoes, and skip goggles and glasses on the slide itself. That is it.

Here is the quick parent rundown so the only thing anyone remembers is how much fun they had.

What is the best thing for kids to wear on a water slide?

A fitted one-piece or a well-fitting two-piece / trunks is ideal. You want fabric that stays put at speed and has nothing sticking out:

• No zippers, buttons, buckles, or metal snaps — they scratch the vinyl and can catch skin.
• No jewelry, watches, or hard hair clips.
• No loose t-shirts or baggy shorts that can bunch up or snag.

Swimwear like this works on every slide we rent, from the gentle Lil' Splash Junior to the towering Tidal Tower 27.

What should kids NOT wear on an inflatable slide?

Keep these off the slide:

• Anything with hardware (jean shorts, cargo pockets, belts).
• Goggles and eyeglasses with rigid frames — a face-first splash landing can push them into the face. Have kids leave them at the bottom.
• Cotton clothes worn over swimsuits — they get heavy and slow, and can bunch.
• Slippery flip-flops on the climb — bare feet grip the steps better.

These same rules keep the equipment in good shape, which is part of how we keep every sanitized, well-maintained slide ready for the next party.

Should kids wear water shoes or go barefoot?

Either works — the key is grip and no hard soles. Bare feet are simplest on the climbing steps of a slide like the Tropical Wave 18 or Coral Reef 18. If your surface around the slide gets hot or rough, secure water shoes (not loose sandals) are a good call. This pairs well with prepping the area — see how to prepare your yard.

What about sunscreen, rash guards, and hats?

• Sunscreen: apply 15+ minutes before sliding so it soaks in and does not make the slide greasy. Reapply between water breaks.
• Rash guards: a snug, zipper-free rash guard is great sun protection and totally slide-safe.
• Hats and sunglasses: perfect for the shade and snack area — just not on the slide.

Planning a full day in the heat? Our tips for water slides in extreme heat and the perfect backyard party will keep everyone comfortable, whether you have a compact Whale Splash 16 or a giant Mega Monsoon 28 for a birthday party.

Frequently asked questions

Can kids wear regular clothes on a water slide? No — loose or hardware-heavy clothing can catch and slow riders. Stick to snug swimwear.

Are goggles allowed on the slide? Not on the slide itself. A face-first landing can jam hard frames into the face. Leave them at the splash pool.

Do adults follow the same rules? Yes. On adult-rated slides, the same no-hardware, snug-swimwear guidance applies — see can adults use inflatable water slides.

Book the slide, we will handle the rest

Get the swimsuits ready and leave the heavy lifting to us — Big Wave Slides delivers, sets up, anchors, and picks up nationwide. Request a free quote for your date today.