Samantha Ohlsen / Alamy
In children’s playgrounds, I am always confounded by how the slipperiness of the same slide can vary hugely throughout the day, and on different days. What factors influence this?
Rob Wheway Children’s Play Advisory Service, Coventry, UK
Speed differences of children going down playground slides is primarily due to the clothes they are wearing. Synthetics (nylon/polyester) give a faster speed than cotton/denim. The speeds can range between too fast for safety (very occasionally) and too slow to be fun.
The seasons, weather and time of day will determine the clothes worn rather than having a direct influence. The size and…
