The best summers are hot and sunny. They are custom made for having fun outside, doing the things you just can't do during any other season. And when you're a child, keeping cool is just another excuse to have fun – preferably in the water. One of the most exciting ways to defeat the heat is with a lawn water slide.

The best lawn water slides are durable, affordable, and long enough to enjoy a decent ride. If you want to race with friends, you'll want a slide with multiple lanes, but you'll appreciate some kind of bumper at the end to keep you from sliding into the grass and mud.

If you'd like to learn more about how to purchase and set up a lawn water slide so you have the best possible experience, keep reading. If you already know what you're looking for, consider one of the highly rated models that we've spotlighted.

When purchasing a lawn water slide, there are two elements you need to consider first: length and durability.

In a practical sense, you need to purchase a lawn water slide that fits your yard. If you only have 15 feet of yard, you obviously cannot purchase a 16-foot slide. However, if you do have the room, then the sky’s the limit. Most lawn water slides are 16 feet, but you can find ones that are 30, 50 or even 75 feet long, if that is what you desire. Keep in mind, though, that if your yard is flat, a longer slide might not be best without the help of gravity to move you along the surface.

A lawn water slide takes a great deal of abuse. Kids are constantly running and sliding across it, creating wear and tear. If you purchase a thin, inexpensive model, it may only last a day or two. If you want a lawn water slide that will last several summers, you are going to have to look for models that are constructed using heavy duty PVC and sturdy edges.

It's the bells and whistles and thoughtful additions that will make your lawn water slide the safest and most fun. The following are a few features to look for to ensure you get the best model for your needs.

Bumpers are what we call the sides of the water slide. These may be inflatable pillows or they may be a more durable material like foam, depending on the model. The purpose of the bumpers is to keep you on the slide.

After picking up all that speed from a slide, you need some way to stop. A splash pool provides a safe way to do that. Alternatively, you can have end bumpers or your slide may deposit you into an actual pool. However you stop, it needs to be a safe stop.

Most lawn water slides feature sprinklers that you glide through. The sprinklers are what keeps the slide wet. There are many different sprinkler designs – some are in the bumpers, others run down the middle of a two-lane slide, while others spray out of an arch at the beginning of the slide. The important aspect here is to be sure the water from the sprinklers adequately covers your slide, otherwise there may be a number of painful friction burns to attend to.

Anchors are what you use to keep the slide in place. Even on a relatively flat patch of lawn, you will want your slide to be secured to the ground.

Even if you’re really careful, punctures and tears are bound to happen. To be best prepared, you'll want to purchase a slide that has patches or repair tape so the fun doesn't have to stop due to minor damage.

From a ring toss to bowling to riding a boogie down the lane, if you find a lawn slide with an activity that your child enjoys, that will increase the fun factor of your purchase.

Some lawn water slides feature bright colors or imaginative themes. If your child wants to slide out of a shark's mouth, for instance, that should be the slide that you get.

A lawn water slide can be a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. However, there are a few must-have accessories that do not come with the slide that you may want.

• Bathing suit: Street clothes have buttons, zippers, belts and other items which will shred your lawn water slide. Make sure you are wearing the proper water attire.
• Swim goggles: Goggles not only protect your eyes from splashing water, they can help protect you from stray fingers, mud, and debris.
• Nose plugs: If you don't like water rocketing up your nose, you may want to consider purchasing a pair of nose plugs before taking your first slide.
• Sunscreen: Even if it's a cloudy day, you need to protect your skin with a broad spectrum sunscreen that defends against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Beach towel: You’re going to be soaked, so best to have a few towels handy.

You can purchase a basic, no-frills lawn water slide that is little more than a long, wet piece of plastic for as little as $15. These water slides may be basic, but most usually do the job that they are supposed to do. From $25 to $60, you will find a diverse selection of lawn water slides. The models in this price range may be themed, support multiple riders, or feature added attractions such as games and rafts. For the most part, however, these slides are all 16 feet long. If you want extreme length, you'll need to pay more than $70. The price can go up pretty high depending on what you seek. For instance, a 75-foot water slide may cost as much as $150.

Yes, you need to purchase a quality lawn water slide to have the best experience. However, there are a few setup hacks that can enhance that experience.

• Start with a soft lawn. Mow high and water your grass in the morning so your lawn is thicker and can provide a softer, more comfortable surface for sliding.
• Before laying out your slide, give the yard a thorough inspection to make sure there are no rocks, branches, or other debris that could damage the slide or injure your child.
• A slight hill may help with the experience. If you don't have enough water pressure to cover the slide, placing it on a hill will allow the water to run down the surface of your slide, giving you a better chance for full coverage (and a speedy ride).
• Avoid placing it where standing water gathers. Setting your lawn water slide up in a low lying section of your yard could quickly turn the area into a mud pit.
• Be sure to anchor the water slide in place, but make sure those anchors pose no threat of injury to the slider.
• To get the best ride, pretreat your lawn water slide with something like baby soap as this little hack will allow you to move even faster.
• Be careful. Lawn water slides are extremely slippery and kids can easily get injured if not properly supervised. No running or standing on the slide and only one rider per lane are two good rules to start with.

Everybody's idea of fun is just a little bit different. Some kids may love to race while others may just want to slide. Because of that, we're offering a few more choices for best lawn water slides so you can find a perfect match. On the bargain end of the price scale, BANZAI has a 16 foot long Speed Blast Water Slide. This no-frills item is just a long slippery slide that is easy to set up and suitable for ages 5 to 12. Jilong, on the other hand, has a 2-Person Water Slide for kids 5 to 14 that includes a ring toss for added fun. On the higher end of the price scale is Intex's Surf ’N Slide Inflatable Play Center. This shark-themed water slide comes with two rafts so kids 6 and up can use their imagination to have thrilling adventures.

Q. What age does my child need to be to safely use a lawn water slide?
A. Some lawn water slides contain small parts that make them unsafe for younger children. Additionally, the more physical nature of the activity and the coordination involved usually requires a child to be at least 5 years old before using a lawn water slide. Since most models are only 16 feet long, once a child is 12 or 13, he or she is probably too tall to enjoy the experience as the ride will be very short. If you have older kids, look for longer slides.

Q. Does my child need to know how to swim before using a lawn water slide?
A. Probably not, unless there is a pool at the end. If there is not a pool or any amount of standing water on the slide (as little as 1 or 2 inches can be dangerous), your child will not need to know how to swim before using a lawn water slide.

Q. What happens if my lawn water slide gets damaged?
A. No matter how much care you take, eventually, your lawn water slide will puncture or rip. Most models come with a patch kit or waterproof tape so you are prepared when this happens. Simply follow the directions and repair any punctures or small rips before they become long tears.