Indoor Slide Ideas: Installing a 9′ Tube Slide in a House By Cari | Published on August 5, 2025August 15, 2025 Childhood dream achieved; this homeowner installed an indoor slide between two floors. In this article (with an accompanying video for visual learners), learn what steps and considerations one homeowner took to make sliding from the main level of their home to the basement a dream come true. The 9-foot Side Winder tube slide starts in a second-story closet, where you can clearly see the circular floor opening, bolts, and entrance ring. From there, the walkthrough continues to the basement, revealing how the full slide was assembled, supported, and positioned. Keep reading for pro tips, instructions, and indoor slide planning advice. Installing the Slide’s Entrance The first step in this project was creating the opening for the slide entrance. Most installations require a floor opening that’s at least 3 feet deep and 3 feet wide, depending on the type of slide. In this case, the homeowner installed a Side Slider tube slide, which has a 90-degree turn at the entrance. Because of that angled entry, they needed closer to a 5-foot-wide opening to ensure a smooth transition into the slide. To build the entrance ring, they assembled the curved section with the 90-degree turn and secured it using bolts. Pro tip: Be sure to use a washer on both sides of each bolt for added strength and stability. The entire ring was fastened to the subfloor using GRK screws, one in the center and one in each of the four corners, to keep it secure and well-supported. Installing the Slide’s Sections From the underside of the slide, you can clearly see the 90-degree turn at the entrance. This angle is adjustable and can be oriented to the left or right depending on your space. When assembling each 3-foot section of the slide, one helpful technique is to stand the section upright and loosely attach all the bolts on each side before securing it in place. Pro tip: Have a second person hold the section steady while you align and bolt it to the previous piece. This makes the process much easier and ensures a tight, aligned connection between sections. Supporting the Indoor Slide To ensure long-term stability, the installer added extra lumber under the floor opening to reinforce the joints at the top of the slide. In addition, they planned to run a horizontal brace on each side of the slide for added support. In this build, a 9-foot slide was installed in a basement with 10-foot ceilings. To accommodate the height difference and support the slide’s exit point, we added a 12-inch riser platform. Alternatively, you can add another 3-foot slide section so the slide reaches the ground without needing a riser. Practice Sports offers optional support posts to attach to the side of the slide for additional stability. While those work well in many setups, they weren’t compatible in this case due to plans to enclose the slide. Instead, the installer used 2×4 framing and L-brackets to secure the slide to a nearby structural frame running parallel to the slide path. Insider Tips from the Installer Use washers on both sides of the bolts. This adds strength and stability to each connection point. Two people make the job easier. While it’s possible to install the slide solo, having a second set of hands really helps during assembly, alignment, and support. Order a landing pad. Practice Sports offers a slide landing mat that adds extra safety at the bottom of the slide. Contact Us For questions or installation support, our experienced team is ready to help. Reach out through our contact form or give us a call at 1-800-877-6787 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST.
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