Alternative Uses for Pool Noodles – DIY Pool Noodle Games
The final post in my Alternative Uses for Pool Noodles series is one filled with fun! Sure the intrinsic nature of a pool noodle is fun and games. But how about without using water!? Here are a few Pool Noodle Games I came up with that don’t call for a pool!
Pool Noodle Ring Toss
Supplies:
- 2 pool noodles
- 2 pencils (sharpened)
- duct tape
Instructions:
- Cut one noodle in half (easy to do with a bread knife) and tape the other together in a ring shape using the duct tape (both of these techniques were used in my Pool Noodle Wreath project too).
- Push the pencils into the grass (try 1/4 of the pencil) about a foot apart.
- Then place the noodle hole over each pencil
- Voila- a simple ring toss game. You can place the “pegs” further apart depending on age/skill of kiddos.
Pool Noodle Soccer Goal
- 1 noodle
- 2 pencils (sharpened)
- a ball- soccer, beach…
Instructions:
- Push one pencil in the ground and place the pool noodle hole over it (like in the ring toss game)
- Create an arch shape with the noodle and use second pencil to hold the arch in place
- Easy peasy… GOOAAL!
Pool Noodle Tic Tac Toe Game
Supplies:
- 3-4 noodles
- 10 noodle “disks”, 5 of each color
Instructions
- Cut 5 disks out of two different colors of noodles. These will be your “x” and “o”s
- Use 4 noodles to create the tic tac toe grid. I used my cut noodles from the ring toss, they were a little on the short side, but worked just fine.
Matchbox Car Race Track Made of Pool Noodles
Supplies:
- 1-2 noodles
- matchbox cars
Instructions:
- Cut your noodle straight down the center. I found that it actually works a little better if you use a piece that is cut 1/3 of the noodle rather than 1/2. Depending on the size of the hole on your noodle, and the size of your cars- the cars are not going to fit perfectly in the hole divot. They actually work better if the “track” is almost flat. (I hope that makes sense)
- If you want to do head-to-head races, make two tracks the same length.
See more Alternative Uses for Pool Noodles: Pool Noodle Wreath and Decorative Garland… (and send me any of your clever ideas!)
post first published June 2014
very good article loved congratulations.
This is brilliant, we have hot wheels aplenty and I never had thought of using pool noodles as tracks. Do you think there is a way to string multiple together?
Thanks! I am sure you could connect them somehow. I’m thinking packing tape or duck tape on the underside of the seams would work.
How do you flatten the pool noodle after cutting it length wise so the cars can go down?
Thanks
You don’t really need to flatten it. It you cut the noodle more on the 1/3 (than 1/2) side- like you are almost cutting that center divot out it works.
Thank you.