We have a backyard inground pool which our family loves! We lose many pool floaties to holes, so I’m on the search for solutions to get more creative with pool noodle floats. I love to use pool noodles to make new creations, and my new moldable DIY Pool Noodle Float Strip is a hit with my boys (and me!).
I love this design because it is so versatile, plus it’s more fun than a boring, ordinary straight noodle. It can be used as a 6’2″ straight float, or it can be doubled over for a stronger float to keep you out of the water more. Or it can be a float kids sit on where they can have a big long dragon tail sticking out the back. A person could connect both ends and make a ring. The possibilities and fun are endless!
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This DIY Float Incites a Child’s Imagination
I love to create new pool toys because my kids get excited to use them, and I love to try them out too. This easy-to-make new pattern I came up with is fun and the kids can have fun pretending with it. My boys sat on it and pretended they had a dragon tail. My son sat on it like a chair with both ends sticking up on both sides. The kids can sit on it and pretend it’s the Lochness monster. I enjoyed folding it in half and floating on it. It’s so moldable that the shapes that can be made with it are endless.
The bonus part is it’s so easy that kids can help make it. It’s is a fun summer DIY project to keep them busy when they are bored.
Supplies Needed
Ths supplies needed to make this pool noodle craft include the following items:
- 2 pool noodles to make 24 four-inch noodle sections, I chose two different colors so I could make a pattern (Note: the thicker noddles work best for this craft than the thinner ones)
- About 28 feet of nylon rope
- scissors
- a serrated knife
- a measuring tape
- lighter to burn ends of rope
First Steps to Make the DIY Pool Noodle Float Strip
This pool noodle craft takes about thirty minutes to create. Begin by cutting up both noodles with a serrated knife into 4-inch sections. Depending on the size of the noodle you purchase, you will have anywhere from 2-3 inches leftover from each noodle. To use up this little piece of pool noodle, try making my DIY Pool Noodle Goggle Float Holder at https://www.juliehoagwriter.com/2017/05/26/diy-pool-noodle-goggle-holder-float/
Once you have cut all 4-inch sections, line up the sections in an alternating colors pattern or make a pattern as desired.
Fold the rope in half so each side of the rope is the same length. String the first noodle section onto the rope and position it at the middle of the rope.
Next Steps to Make the DIY Pool Noodle Float Strip
String both ends of the rope through the hole of the next pool noodle section. Pull the rope tight so the pool noodle sections fit snugly next to each other. This will cause the nylon string pieces to cross each other in the noodle hole making an X.
String each noodle section on in your own desired pattern. I used an alternatng pattern of blue and green. After the first noodle section is strung to the middle of the rope, it should stay in place in the middle of the rope.
String all noodle sections onto the rope one by one by inserting the ends of each side of the rope through the noodle hole and pulling rope ends snug and tight.
Final Steps
The final steps include tying the rope in fisherman’s knot plus burning the ends of the nylon rope with a lighter to prevent the rope from fraying. To see pictures of how to tie a fisherman’s knot, click the following link to see my DIY Pool Noodle Float Raft post: https://www.juliehoagwriter.com/2017/04/02/diy-pool-noodle-float-raft/
End Result
The end result will be a fun to play with pool noodle strip about 6 feet 2 inches long. It can stay as a flexible strip or alternatively you can connect the ends to make a ring. My boys loved it as a long, flexible, moldable noodle strip so they could make it into different shapes and creations.
I enjoyed floating in the pool with it myself. It kept me afloat and when I folded it in half, my shoulders and head were kept even higher out of the water. It is a flexible, moldable pool float strip kids will love to play with in the pool!
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This looks like such a fun time! Love how creative it is!
My boys just LOVE this noodle! In fact I do too because it also keeps me afloat. It is great for kids too because since it is moldable, they can shape it into different things! Thank you!
How fun and clever is this?! So timely for us, too, as my 4 year old is currently learning to swim! Looks like so much fun for kids!
Yes! I LOVE this noodle! My boys adore it, even my teen. It is moldable and not stiff yet keeps you afloat. It keeps me afloat as well so it is great for adults also. It’s super easy and quick to make. I hope your 4 year old loves it!!
We just got a pool so I’m defiantly going to make one of these!
Yes! It is super easy to make so fun! My boys have had so much fun playing with it, and I like to float on it too. I hope you enjoy it!