Little Tikes EasyStore Large Slide

My brother has had this Little Tikes EasyStore Large Slide for quite a few years now, with his 3 daughters using it all summer long. It has held up very well and all his girls still love it. (Ages are 7, 4, and 2.) In the summer months, they will put the end of the slide in a little pool for some water fun. The slide is very stable and large enough for even their very tall 7 year old.

While I really liked this slide, I had been comparing it to the Step2 Naturally Playful Folding Slide and trying to see which was better based on reviews. Very difficult as they are very much the same.

I ended up ordering the Step2 version and I'm very happy with it. There are a few differences that I have noticed.

Little Tikes stability wings at the bottom of the stairs is somewhat flat, but enough for little ones to trip when not paying attention racing to the stairs. The Step2 version has angled wings that have to be put together with the staircase with a couple... Read more

Added March 2008:
We've had the slide now for nearly 2 years, and my son still gets on from time to time. He actually likes to watch tv while sitting on the top of it (we keep it indoors in a "play" room).
Since my review seems to bubble to the top (thanks to the kind reception of the readers), I just want to say that it appears Little Tikes listened to our complaints and finally decided to include a metal rod instead of a plastic one. From the most recent reviews, it seems that the installation issues are now things of the past.

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First, I agree w/ the "good fun if you make it past the assembly stage" comments from the other reviewers. That's all been said, so I'd like to offer some of my personal assembly tips for new buyers.

IMPORTANT: By straying from the printed instructions, there is the chance that you can do unexpected damage to the toy (or in a more direct manner, use my suggestions at your own... Read more

Absolutely the worst toy to assemble that I have ever encountered. As with other purchasers of this awful awful slide, getting the tube through and the caps to stick on was nearly impossible. I did succeed, but only after significant contortions and more than a few curse words. I've never cursed over putting together a toy. Never. Even the bike from China with the poorly translated instructions were easier than this.

Little Tikes, here's a few suggestions:

1. Don't ask the customer to hammer the end of a pliable plastic tube in order to jam it into a cap and then expect the tube to remain straight enough to thread through six holes.

2. Spend the $0.50 and provide the stupid wooden block.

3. Change the order of assembly so that first thread the tube of frustration, then cap it on both sides, then attach the stairs. Trust me, it would have been easier that way.