DIY Pool Floaty Toy Made with Pool Noodles

Do you like to make DIY projects? I enjoy making DIY projects, especially when those creations result in something fun for my family. We have a backyard pool, so I started making pool toys and swimming pool floats out of pool noodles for my kids. Who am I kidding? I use them too! This DIY Pool Floaty Toy Made with Pool Noodles is one example of a pool noodle DIY I designed that is super easy to make and versatile as it can be a toy or a float.

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This pool floaty is made with pool noodles and rope, and that’s it. It is super easy to make and a perfect boredom buster activity for kids in the summer. This simple versatile floaty toy is very cheap to make and can be used as an inner tube or as a toy. As an adult, I actually really enjoy this float because it keeps me afloat easily without any effort on my part at all to hold onto it.

Please scroll down to see my step by step instructions and photos.

Supplies Needed to Make this DIY Pool Floaty Toy

There are only a few supplies and tools needed to make this Pool Floaty.

• 4 regular sized pool noodles (your choice of color!)
• nylon rope (50 feet should be plenty with some leftover when using standard-sized noodles)
• scissors
• lighter (to burn edges of rope to prevent fraying)

That’s it! I bought the four pool noodles at a local hardware store for about $2.oo apiece, the rope was about $3.00 so the total project only cost me about $11.00 plus tax. Or, purchasing noodles online is always an option, though probably more expensive.

How to Make This DIY Pool Floaty Toy Made with Pool Noodles

This is a simple concept that is easy to replicate. Simply purchase pool noodles and nylon rope and be sure to pick the colors you like the best! This DIY is rather quick to make. I made it in less than a half hour while my kids were swimming.

Step 1:

String the nylon rope through the first pool noodle. Push it through with your fingers and shake pool noodle back and forth while holding it perpendicular to the ground to get the rope to come out the other end.

 

Step 2:

The length of the pool noodle doesn’t really matter, the important part is to have about 2 1/2 feet of rope sticking out both ends of the pool noodle. I used a tape measure to be more accurate.

I used the thinner pool noodles, I am unsure if this would work with the thicker pool noodles.

 

Step 3:

Bend pool noodle so the ends touch. Next, tie together the ropes in a double knot at the end of noodles where the ropes exit the pool noodles. It will make a teardrop shaped loop.

 

Step 4:

String the nylon rope through the second pool noodle. Wrap 2nd noodle over the first pool noodle and tie the rope in a double knot where it exits the pool noodle, just as you did with the first noodle rope ends.

 

 

Step 5:

String the rope through the third pool noodle. Wrap 3rd pool noodle around the first two and tie a knot where the rope exits the pool noodle. The exact way you wrap it doesn’t really matter, just wrap it around the first two.

 

Step 6:

Thread the rope through the fourth noodle and tie a knot in the rope where it exits the pool noodle. Divide the rope strands into two sections and make a double knot with all the rope ends.

 

 

Step 7:

Divide the rope strands into three sections.

 

 

Step 8:

Braid the three strands together to make a 6-8 inch braided handle. Tie a double knot at the end of the braid to secure it.

 

 

Step 9:

Cut off the ends of the rope strands to make them shorter.

Step 10:

Use a lighter to burn the edges of the rope strands to prevent it from fraying. I also held the lighter to the double knot at the end of the braid to help it meld together, thereby making it more secure. Heat helps the rope melt together a little bit.

 

 

Step 11:

The pool floaty toy is now done! It reminds me a bit of a squid;) It can be used as a toy or a float.

 

Kids can swing it over their head like a lasso and fling it into the pool to see how far it will go. I call this use the Chuck it!

 

 

 

The loops may fall into separate teardrops when it is thrown into the pool. Kids can play with it all opened up or even float on it this way. To reassemble it, simply pull the pool noodles under or over each other however they seem to fit the best.

 

Kids can pull it along with them in the water as they swim under the water. Why? Because it’s fun! I really love this type of toy to get kids’ imaginations going. It’s similar to why kids love a plain cardboard box, it can be what you make of it. That’s the beauty of it!

 

 

Make the Floaty into an Inner Tube

Stack the pool noodles together to make an inner tube. This is my personal favorite way to use this homemade pool floaty. I love how this inner tube keeps me afloat with very minimal effort on my part, so I can relax! Mom’s need to practice relaxation and self-care.  And, I do that every chance I can get in our pool!

 

Other Pool Floaty Designs Made with Pool Noodles

We have many different types of pool rafts and pool floats are our house since we own a pool. We have floats shaped like things and animals (sharks, pretzels, etc.), long floats to lay on, circle floats, and many pool noodles.

However, the rafts tend to get holes easily (especially with lots of kids around), so I wanted an alternative solution for pool floats because it can be difficult patching holes in air-filled floaties (and often short-lived). So, I started making pool noodle creations for my kids. I use them too, so they work for adults also. (Yes, I’m talking to you adults, get in the water!)

One of my favorites is the DIY Pool Noodle Fish Float With Headrest. I love to use this one and I float with my arms over the tail or I use the fishtail as a headrest. Very relaxing!

 

Here’s another! Check out DIY Pool Noodle Float Strip. I like this one because it’s so moldable and floppy, so I can wrap it around myself or double it up to float on it.

Have a problem with losing goggles to the bottom of the pool or lake? Check out my idea to keep them afloat!

DIY Pool Noodle Goggle Holder Float

I hope you’ve enjoyed this pool floaty toy tutorial! Have fun and enjoy life! Summer’s short, get out there and swim in it!

Our favorite floats:

Swimline Sea-Saw Rocker

5-foot Jumbo Popsicle Swimming Pool Float, Red White & Blue, Inflatable Water Raft by Sol Coastal

 

Copyright © 2018 Julie Hoag. All Rights Reserved.

 

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