We can all remember the exhilaration we felt on the playground when we were growing up. Of all the playground equipment, the slide must be one of the most popular. In truth, slides are not just fun for children. With bigger slides incorporating any number of twists and loops, we can all let our inner child free to experience the thrill of this king of the playground, or a garden if we have space!
Let’s take a look at some of the most fantastical slides from around the world.
- ArcelorMittal Orbit, London, UK
Designed by sculptor sir Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond, ArcelorMittal is the UK’s tallest sculpture and incorporates a twisting slide – sending thrill-seeker on a fast-paced journey at speeds of up to 15 MPH.
The slide in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was built as one of the attractions for the 2012 London Olympic Games, during which time 130,000 visitors took the opportunity to experience this incredible structure. It was reopened in 2014 and has become a landmark in the city, offering amazing views of the city over a 20-mile radius.
- Human Slide, Discovery Park of America, Tennessee, USA
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to slide down the inside of a giant’s leg? Probably not, but if you visit the Discovery Park of America science museum in Tennessee, you may well be tempted to do just that. The 14 metre-high sculpture in the museum’s grand hall tempts visitors to climb to the top and after taking the spectacular view, slide down to the ground floor.
- Lobby Slide, Hotel Barceló Malaga, Spain
While this may it not be the most dignified entrance, it certainly is a lot of fun and is a truly original way to make an impression! Guests at the Hotel Barceló in Malaga get to slide down from the first-floor lobby to the sophisticated B-Lounge Bar. Getting back up it again after a few cocktails may prove to be more difficult, but could make for a good laugh.
- Slide@T3, Changi Airport, Singapore
Giving new meaning to the phrase “adventure travel” is Singapore’s Changi Airport, renowned for having some of the best facilities. Strikingly, a 12 metre-high slide is one of these, and albeit highly unconventional, thrill-seekers can opt to take the slide instead of using the stairs, escalators or elevators. This is certainly a more fun way of getting around an airport, but probably not such a good idea if you’ve got fragile luggage with you.
- Cittá del Mar Water Slide, Sicily, Italy
Cittá del Mar is one of the biggest resorts in Italy and their water slide is a spectacular and popular attraction. Slide down the steep slope into a series of pools and eventually splash into the Mediterranean ocean. If you still have the energy, it’ll be a long climb back up for another go.
- Silver Towers Playground, New York City, USA
This is the work of American sculptor Tom Otterness. The massive work of art depicts a stylised man lounging on the grass with different parts of his body serving as play areas for children. Each of his legs have slides going to the ground. This a display of creative art and creative play.
- Pod Playground Slide, National Arboretum, Canberra, Australia
Combining environmental awareness with playground fun, the Pod playground is a creative display of giant acorns made of wood, connected by tubular slides and other exciting climbing equipment. A novel, fun and educational experience.
- Train Station Slide, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Adding some fun and excitement to the daily commute. Overvecht Station in Utrecht has an ultramodern steel tube slide that takes commuters from the platform into a comfortable and beautifully designed public area.
- Lobby Slide at Reddot Hotel, Taichung City, Taiwan
It seems as though slides are fast becoming the way to get around buildings. At the Reddot Hotel in Taichung City, guests can fast-track their trip to the lobby from their rooms, by taking a 30-metre slide, proving that slides are no longer just for play.
- Tube Slide, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Who said that obtaining a higher education can’t include some fun? Students at Munich’s Technical University’s Maths and Science faculty have a novel way of getting around. The building’s atrium has two slides which students can use to speed up their journey getting down from lectures.
