Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

The waterslide was simple to construct with local bamboos, pipes, and joints, overlaid by trap and placed on existing slopes and stairs in different parks. These temporary waterslides at play park events could encourage children to interact with one another for social learning. In the natural environment, where increased urbanization has decreased children’s access, we consider the waterslides may function as a treatment for developmental disorders.

In a case where a child diagnosed with autism overcame his negative experience and repeatedly enjoys the play park events, visual demonstration of this method in detail is critical for beginners who are not creators of play agreement. Begin by conducting onsite surveys of the topography and resources of each park, and specifically design the waterslides for each park to utilize the specific resources available. If possible, place the waterslides in an open area so they are visible from all directions to attract visitors to the playground.

Design and build waterslides based on the existing terrain. Design a tower structure using scaffolding pipes and clamps to easily assemble a strong but temporary structure. Then, build the frame for the pool section of the waterslide using three-meter long bamboo rods.

Ensure the waterslide has an angle of 25 degrees, a length of 1.8 meters, and includes a pool at the bottom. Take advantage of the natural slope to make a waterslide for a hilly park. Construct a frame for the pool section using regional resources from bamboo rods and plywood.

Ensure that the waterslide has an angle of 30 degrees, a length of six meters, and includes a pool at the bottom. If a park has a slight slope in its center, use it to create a waterslide. Use bamboo rods and scaffolding to increase the natural slope upon which to build a waterslide.

Ensure that it has an angle of 21 degrees at its steepest, a length of four meters, and includes a pool at the bottom. In case stairs are present, use them to create a waterslide. To cover the staircase, build a structure with plywood and square wooden rods covered with cardboard to form a rail, and keep the children on the slide.

Include a pool at the bottom of the slide and ensure an angle of 27 degrees and a length of six meters. To verify the safety of the structures, calculate the strength using simulations such as finite element methods. Next, make a prototype.

Have multiple people pilot the prototype to find potential risks such as hard protruding parts. If found, eliminate or cover such parts with soft caps. Consider leaving minimal risks to allow children to learn how to overcome the risks on their own.

Smooth and clean the material surface. Assemble the framework with pipes, boards, joints, screws, and ropes using an impact driver and a saw. Stake the corners of the framework into the ground and fix cardboard cushions at the steps.

Cover with the tarp to fit the shapes and secure with stakes and waterproof tape. Run hose water down from the slide top. Ensure to check safety repeatedly and reinforce as needed.

Using the video cameras, capture the children using slides and estimate their ages using each waterslide based on their height. Qualitative observations and quantitative analyses assess the relationships between flow lines and activity levels. The mean and maximum movement of each child considering the area and the number of children using the waterslide was compared.

The areas of WS1, WS2, and WS3 differed greatly from one another. But the children’s level of movement at each slide were similar. The movement around WS4 was significantly higher than the other slides.

The design of four temporary waterslides was constructed with simple and local materials, with places and the existing slopes, encouraging children to interact This designing, building, and using the waterslides themselves must lead to socialization and development.