Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide Review

My little girls have plenty of toys and while they prefer those that offer visual stimulation along with sounds from their favorite television characters, they also like to change things up every now and then and enjoy toys that offer some physical activity. Rather than send them outside, I point them in the direction of a toy designed for an interior workout. It is the Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide, a small, plastic slide for indoor fun.

Toy Commentary:

Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide is a small slide made with plastic parts and a foldable ladder stem. The slide, when extended, features a seating area that is a little less than two feet from the ground. There are only two steps, making it easy to get to the top. The width of the slide is only about eighteen inches and the total length is about thirty- nine inches. These dimensions make it suitable only for toddlers and young children, aged one through four years.

Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide is a fun little toy that offers kids a break from the usual visual/audio stimulation provided by the bulk of children's toys. This slide is small, and thus it isn't practical for larger kids. But it is just right for children under the age of four and at least one of my little girls (two years old) enjoys entertaining herself with this toy. It took her a little bit of time to get used to this toy, and she was hesitant at first to try it out. The reason, of course, is because the climb, while short, is still a little scary to some children. There are no extended rails to grip and many little children shake a little bit as they attempt to steady themselves and take the plunge.  

Besides the initial scare factor, there are some other things about this slide that could cause potential problems. One is the slipperiness of the slide itself. My little girl was shocked when she took her first trip down this slide. She didn't expect the plastic surface to be so slippery and she didn't realize how quickly the "ride" would end. She seemed to like it, but I would caution parents to place something soft at the end, for a safe landing. Kids go flying down the slide at a fast rate and while the slide is short, it is still lengthy enough that it could cause a banged- up head if the surface below isn't soft and cushiony.

Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide should be used on carpeting, in grass, or on some other soft but stable surface. Using a hard floor surface will not only increase the chance for an injury, it will also make the slide less stable. This is because the legs and the front of the slide do not offer any way to grip the floor. So, if the floor surface is smooth, the slide will easily move when kids use it. Again, this increases the chances for falling. Placing the slide on a carpet surface seems to be the best way for kids to use this toy.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

Overall, Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Play Slide is a fun product for little children, in spite of some of its risks. The key with this toy is to use it properly and to help kids along when they start to use it for the first time. It's portable, requires no assembly or batteries, and helps kids with physical activity and development of motor skills. It is a nice little toy to have around and it makes a good alternative to the bells and whistles so common with most modern forms of child entertainment.