It’s pool noodle season, y’all! Pool noodles are officially for sale everywhere. That means it’s time to share all of the amazing things to do and make with a pool noodles from crafting a floating beverage boat to learning how to spell! Here are 32 DIY pool noodle crafts you and your kids will love.
Where to buy pool noodles?
Dollar Stores, Wal Mart and Target seasonally carry pool noodles from about May through August. You can also find pool noodles on Amazon. Amazon carries a rainbow of colors including black, white, and brown. If you can’t find a pool noodle, consider using pipe insulation from a hardware store. Typically, pipe insulation comes in black.
Toys made out of pool noodles
Who knew a pool noodle could be made into so many different things from a racetrack to light sabers, get creative the colorful floating noodles. Grab a serrated knife and a stack of colorful noodles!
1. Race track
Slice a pool noodle length wise to make 2 perfect race tracks! For the complete tutorial check out Ramblings from Utopia.
2. Blocks
Love blocks, but hate the thunder when the towers crash? Pool noodle blocks are the perfect quiet time activity for preschoolers. See how to make pool noodle blocks at C.R.A.F.T.
3. Indoor soccer
Use the same quiet blocks and set up an indoor soccer game with a cardboard box goal. Best of all, the quiet noodle blocks can’t break anything! See more indoor sports ideas with pool noodles at C.R.A.F.T.
4. Beachball basketball
Pool noodles turned basket ball hoops for balls of all sizes. Beach ball basket ball is a great indoor game if it’s too hot or too cold to play outside. More indoor basketball details on Ever Never Again.
5. Jumbo Lincoln logs
is genius, but finding brown pool noodles proves to be tricky. I suggest using the tutorial in #9 (above) for making faux logs, then use a kitchen knife and cut out notches in each log. This would be hours of building fun!
6. Light Sabers
If the force is with you, turn a pool noodle into a light saber! Check out the full tutorial at Crafty blog stalker.
7. Stick pony
Who knew a little rope, a hot glue gun, felt, and google eyes could turn a plain ol’ pool noodle into a pony! See the complete pool noodle horse tutorial at Mrs. King’s Music Class.
8. Swords
What kiddo doesn’t love swords? Craft up a a few soft swords with pool noodles at Or So She Says.
9. Mr. Potato Head
It’s like Mr. Potato head but with pool noodle blocks and golf tees! See all the details at Time for Play.
10. Shaving cream sculptures
Julie from We Need More Glitter added shaving cream to the pool noodle blocks for a creative outdoor sensory activity.
11. Airplane
If you an airplane obsessed kiddo, you don’t want to miss these pool noodle turned airplanes from Frugal Fun 4 Boys.
12. Pool noodle rockets
These rocket flingers are fun to make and even more fun to fly. See the complete instructions at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
13. Backyard ring toss
Ring toss is a fun backyard game, but have you ever thought of making an extra large ring toss with pool noodles, duck tape, and wooden dowels? See the full tutorial at The Joys of Boys.
Water toys made with pool noodles
Here are 4 creative ways to use pool noodles to stay cool with water!
14. Pool noodle sprinkler
Turn a pool noodle into a sprinkle with duct tape and tin foil! the full tutorial, check out Capturing Parenthood.
15. Bathtub toys
Use pool noodle blocks to play with in the bathtub or an outdoor pool! Learn how to make pool noodle blocks at C.R.A.F.T.
16. Beverage boat
Make a floating beverage boat with a noodle and a plastic tub. This is genius if you ask me! See the full tutorial at Insturctables.
17. Pool lounger
Make yourself a fancy lake lounger with a simple noodle, fabric, and rope. A sewing machine will make this much easier, but it could be down by hand. See the full tutorial at Country Chic Cottage.
Pool noodle hacks
18. Card holder
As a canasta player, I can only imagine the greatness of a card holder. This is genius! See the complete tutorial at Adapting Creatively.
19. Bed rail
Tuck a pool noodle under the fitted sheet on either side of the mattress and you just made bed rails to keep a kiddo from falling off the bed! See more details at Thanks Mommy Blog.
20. Sculpture materials
Who knew pool noodle blocks and toothpicks make awesome sculpture materials! Picture via Irresistible Ideas.
21. Campfire
Hosting a campout, but fires aren’t allowed in your neck of the woods or classroom? Make a pretend campfire with pool noodles. Details at Pre-K Pages.
22. Stress reliever
Stressed? You can make 58 1-inch stress relievers with a single pool noodle. See more details at the School Counselor Blog.
Decorative items
23. Chair
Pool noodles turned furniture… who knew! Give the kiddos some pool noodle building materials and encourage them to try and build a chair! More inspiration at Design-Milk.
24. Faux logs
Just in case you ever need a few faux logs: pool noodles + contact paper! See the full tutorial at Miss Kopy Kat.
25. Summer wreath
You’ll never guess what this summer wreath is made out of? A pool noodle and a little fabric! For the full tutorial check out Words on Wheels.
26. 4th of July wreath
Turn a pool noodle into a wreath with packing tape and ribbon! For the complete pool noodle wreath tutorial, check out Remodelacasa.
27. Giant pencil
This extra large number 2 pencil would be the perfect prop for back to school and end of school pictures with the kids. Bonus: It actually writes! See the dull tutorial at Crafty Biggers.
28. Coral reef
How cute is this pool noodle coral reef for an ocean themed birthday party or even a pool party?! I love the turtle tissue paper puff too!
29. Party decorations
String pool noodle blocks together to make a cute (cheap) garland for the backyard. Originally found at Dollar Store Mom.
Pool noodles as educational tools
30. Learn to spell
Use pool noodle blocks and a Sharpie to write letters and start learning to spell! Learn how to make pool noodle blocks at C.R.A.F.T.
31. Chain link sight words
If you don’t have rope handy, consider making chain link pool noodle slices that can hooked on the side of any laundry basket or rail. Thanks for the clever idea Julia!
And if you like this post, here are a few more craft articles you’ll love:
Comments & Reviews
Looking for directions for floating drink holder, but using slices of noodles cut on slight angle to form a ring. Held together with clear plastic tubing and zip tie. Need to make different size rings for beer can, seltzer can and different insulated cup sizes. Any help would be appreciated. Know I don’t have to be a brain surgeon here, just thought I would find a tutorial on cuts. Thanks Patty
Are there instructions for cutting coral reef
Is there directions for the pool noodle log cabin?
Good idea on pool noodles! I have 2 grandkids 1 and 2 sister and brother..I’m on a limited budget …..I hope they still sell them in oct. for xmas gifts th o make!
Can you give me the measurements for the pool noodles. I know you cut them in half, but what were the size of the smaller ones?
What is the best tool to cut the noodles? Exacto? Bench saw ;)?
kitchen knife!
Use a miter saw. Bread knives are also used, but a miter saw gives you a straight cut.
I’m loving all these ideas but most especially the basketball hoops. I never knew there were so many things you could do with a pool noodle!
Glad I’m not the only weirdo obsessed with pool noodles, ha! 😉
I use a section on my kitchen sink hose sprayer to stop from getting soaked.
I use noodles as inserts in my boots.
I have tried to get to the directions for making the Lincoln logs with not success. It takes me to a storage solution site. What am I doing wrong?
I love the Lincoln log noodle idea, somewhere I read they were purchased at the dollar store, I would love to find out more, I have never seen them at the dollar store and have never seen them in the brown color. Great ideas!
You can get the brown ones at lowes in the hardware dept, but cost more than the dollar store
One time we used the noodles to finish the edge of a table. Almost like a padded edge pool table.
Thanks for sharing, Karn!
Make a slit down the center and put the noodles on the sides of your canoe to cushion it on the top of your car.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
So many cute ideas and endless fun 🙂