Best Indoor Slide for Toddlers & Babies: 2024 Finds!

Last Updated: December 28, 2023

Indoor slides are great for the early toddler years to build confidence and climbing skills and safety. And also just to get all that extra toddler energy out! Especially in winter. As I mentioned in my best indoor active toys post, there are several different slide toy strategies. The most affordable is still the plastic Little Tikes style version that will cost less than $50. There’s also the wooden slide route like with the more Montessori Piklar triangle climbing structures. But for many families it’s hard to justify the expense. And then there’s the third option of the slide that is part of a climber or playhouse structure (basketball hoop, steering wheel, ball pit, bounce house etc.) Depending on the size, these can be indoor use or outdoor. So here are our favorites of the best indoor slide for toddlers, babies and young kids/ preschoolers.

Best Indoor Slides for Toddlers:

Here’s my list of the best indoor slides for toddlers and young children:

1. Best First Slide for Babies and Young Toddlers: Little Tikes First Slide $24
2. Best Budget / Plastic Slide: Little Tikes First Slide $24
3. Best Wooden Slide: Jupiduu Wooden slide $299
4. Best Montessori Slide: WoodAndHearts Pikler Triangle, Arch, Ramp/Slide $191
5. Best Climber with Slide: Step2 Sports Climber and Slide $130
6. Best Slide for Young Kids/Older Toddlers: Step2 Big Folding Slide $160
7. Best Outdoor Slide

Product	Price	Weight	Dimensions	Slide Length	Weight Limit
Little Tikes First Slide	$24	9 pounds	39”L x 18”W x 27.5”H	38″	60 pounds
Jupiduu Wooden Slide	$299	42 pounds	57″ L x 17″W x 27″H	40″	110 pounds
Pikler Triangle with Slide	$191	50 pounds	52″ L x 23″W x 27.5″H	36″	132 pounds
Step2 Sports Climber Slide	$130	24 pounds	62”L x 30”W x 42”H	36″	60 pounds
Step2 Big Folding Slide	$160	30 pounds	64”L x 17”W x 41”H	60″	50 pounds

Little Tikes First Slide – Best Budget & First Slide!

The Little Tikes First Slide is still the best indoor slide for toddlers and small children! It’s small enough and low enough to the ground that it doesn’t feel super dangerous and most kiddos can start using it with supervision around 12-18 months. We were satisfied with the Little Tikes plastic slide. It’s a great price, so budget friendly and easily stored in small spaces. And while it’s not beautiful, it serves its purpose as an indoor play item from about 18 months onward for those gross motor skills. Great for hand-eye coordination and helping young toddlers push their physical limits in a safe place before trying those skills again at the playground. Especially when they’re at the top of the slide! The bright colors on this one make it fun for kids, but maybe not the greatest addition to your living room. However, since it’s lightweight and compact, it’s easier to store than some of the bigger ones!

Pros:

• Affordable price – at $25 one of the most affordable slides out there.
• Smooth slide that actually slides when your kiddo sits on it.
• Wide steps and deep enough for little fit to balance.
• Small size doesn’t take up tons of space like the harder plastic ones.
• Easy-to-grip Hand rails and side rails to help little ones stay upright.
• Outdoor use is an option too.
• Lightweight – at 9 pounds, this slide isn’t a tipping hazard risk for babies and toddlers.

Cons:

• Must be placed on carpet or a rug or the front of the slide pops up when climbing the steps.
• Slide doesn’t “fold” for storage as it is marketed – it’s taken apart. This is doable, but not so easy that you would do this on a daily or weekly basis to put it away.
• Assembly – you have to use a lot of force to get the handles and slide to attach properly.
• Weight limit – 60 pounds
• Thinner plastic material – this will not withstand jumping and heavy use like with older kids or multiple smaller kids going at the same time with force.
• Bright colors – (this could be a pro or a con!), but not as aesthetically pleasing as a neutral wooden slide if you’re using in a living room.

Dimensions: 39”L x 18”W x 27.5”H
Slide Length: 38″ long
Slide Weight: 9 pounds

BUY IT: Little Tikes First Slide – Amazon $24, Target, $35

Jupiduu Slide – Best Wooden Slide

The Jupiduu wooden slide is probably the cutest modern wood slide you can find! It also comes with a less cute price tag of $300. But if you’re looking for a not plastic option that will make any playroom or living room look on-point, this may be the slide for you. The gentle slope of this wooden slide is also great for younger kiddos.

Pros:

• Gentle slope – a great baby slide, although it might not keep younger kids as excited for longer, and it’s a long slide compared to some of the plastic ones.
• Weight limit – 110 pounds, so bigger kids can use it too
• Side rails are higher to help little ones stay upright.
• Minimalist style and color – If modern simple design style is important to you, then the steep price of this gently sloped slide might be worth it.

Cons:

• Price – At $300, there’s a lot of other interesting climbing toys you could invest in.
• Stairs vs steps – This toddler slide has stairs, not steps. They are not deep, so some toddlers might want to wear shoes to climb the stairs.
• Slide doesn’t “fold” for storage as it is marketed – it’s taken apart. This is doable, but not so easy that you would do this on a daily or weekly basis to put it away.
• Weight of slide – at 42 pounds, this isn’t as portable, but a heavy weight also keeps it stable.
• Sturdy material – this will withstand a lot more heavy-use activity than a plastic slide will!

Dimensions: 57″ L x 17″W x 27″H
Slide Weight: 42 pounds

BUY IT: Jupiduu Wood Slide $299

Pikler Triangle, Arch, Slide Set – Best Montessori Slide

Many Montessori families use the Pikler Triangle, starting around 6-9 months, when babies are interested in standing and pulling up on things. A common add-on to a pikler triangle is a ramp, climbing board, which can also be used as a slide. Now of course, a slide with no side rails is going to be more for an older child or with a grown-ups help. Pikler triangles are fairly expensive, but there are some new companies making some cheaper options. But be aware, of quality! A pikler triangle and slide is going to be much more expensive than a plastic slide, because it’s made of high-quality wood materials to last generations. This can be a great option if you have more than one child or plan to sell or hand it down to a relative.

Pros:

• Movable slope – Since the slide is really just a ramp, it can be moved onto different rungs to create a steeper or more gentle slope.
• Maximum Weight – 132 pounds, so bigger kids can use it too.
• Versatile play item – so many combinations and uses, even for imaginative play
• Minimalist style and color – Like most Montessori materials, this Scandinavian style will look great in any playroom or living room.

Cons:

• Price – At $191, and it not actually being a slide, you’re going to also really want to use the other pieces of the set!
• No side rails or actual steps – this is more of a DIY slide that can be used in different ways.
• Hard edges – yes, the wood is rounded and sanded, but for a baby or young toddler it can still feel like sharp edges, and would need more grownup supervision.
• Storage – while the triangle folds up, and slide lays flat, the arch doesn’t.
• High-quality materials -beautifully constructed and wood will withstand a lot more heavy-use activity than a plastic slide will!

Dimensions: 52″ L x 23″W x 27.5″H
Slide Length: 36″ long
Set Weight: 50 pounds

BUY IT: WoodAndHearts Pikler Triangle, Arch, Ramp/Slide $191 or for a more established brand in the Montessori Space: Little Climber w/Slide – Lily & River $332. And if you’re looking for a Montessori-ish climber jungle gym playset, this one is too cute! Toddler Climber Jungle Gym $350

Step2 GameTime Sports Climber & Slide – Best Climbing Structure with Slide

If you have the space and budget for a toddler climber structure in your home, this Little Tikes climber can be a super fun one instead of a basic slide! While they aren’t particularly small or stylish to have out in a living room. They can be a fun addition if you have space in a playroom or another room. If it’s in your child’s room, you might need to put a large blanket over it at night to keep the excitement level lower (“climbers have to sleep too!”). And bonus, you can move it outside when it’s starting to feel a little less exciting indoors.

Pros:

• Affordable price – at $130, this is pretty affordable climber, especially considering that some slides alone cost this much.
• Extra fun add-ons – the set offers all kinds of fun extra features: a basketball hoop, rock wall style steps, crawl-through space underneath this is a multi-tasking climber.
• Hand rails and side rails to help little ones stay upright.
• Outdoor use is an option too.
• Lightweight – at 24 pounds, this structure is light enough to move around easily.

Cons:

• Size – while on the smaller side for climbers, it still takes up a pretty big footprint.
• Slide steps are playful climbing wall boxes – this would be fun for older kids, but younger toddlers may need help climbing.
• Weight limit – 60 pounds
• Bright colors – (as usual, this could be a pro or a con!), but not as aesthetically pleasing as a neutral if you’re using in a living room.

Dimensions: 62”L x 30”W x 42”H
Climber/Slide Weight: 24 pounds

BUY IT: Step2 Sports Climber and Slide $130.

If you’re looking for a more stylish neutral color version of this check out the elephant kids slide for $160, which has a unique design.

Step2 Big Folding Slide – Best Slide for Young Kids / Older Toddlers:

The Step2 slides are made out of a thick plastic and are sturdy enough for little kids and some even older children. They also hold up great outside in different weather. While they’re a bit more than some of the Little Tikes slides, this could be more of an investment slide that you bring inside in winter and use outside during summer for outdoor fun etc. What makes them great for older toddlers and young kids is that the Step2 is a taller slide with a steeper pitch which keeps it more exciting for older ones.

Pros:

• Foldable for easy storage.
• Smooth sliding surface and slope.
• Wide steps and deep enough for little fit to balance.
• Hand rails and side rails to help little ones stay upright.
• Sturdy plastic – stronger than some other plastic slides.
• Neutral color is a nice option.
• Outdoor play is an option too.

Cons:

• Price – a bit spendier for a plastic slide.
• Weight limit – 50 pounds. For the price and it seeming much sturdier than the Little Tikes first slide, the weight limit is surprising!
• Slide weight & bulk – at 30 pounds, this large slide is a bit heavy duty to be moving around frequently.
• Bright colors – (this could be a pro or a con!), but not as aesthetically pleasing as a neutral wooden slide if you’re using in a living room.

Dimensions: 64”L x 17”W x 41”H
Slide Length: 60″ long
Slide Weight: 30 pounds

BUY IT: Step2 Big Folding Slide $160, Walmart, $160

Best Outdoor slide

Ultimately, if you need an outdoor slide, many of these slides can also be used outdoors. And if you end up wanting to try out a playground equipment or swing set slide, check out my post on adding a slide to your deck. You can get an outdoor platform or deck slide from $120+!

I hope this helped you find the best indoor slide for your toddler, baby, or young kiddo. Happy sliding!