Discover clever ways to reuse pool noodles around the household, get answers to your burning pool noodle recycling questions, and explore easy, eco-friendly ideas for zero-waste decorations and toddler activities. Repurpose pool noodles like a pro with our pool noodle 101 guide!
You know those old, colorful pool noodles hiding in the depths of your garage, waiting for their moment to shine again? Yes, you know the ones, those big foamy noodles that occupy awkward amounts of room and usually sit in a corner collecting dust after just a few years of use.
Unfortunately, pool noodles are made of polyethylene foam, a kind of thermoplastic foam material that’s still impossible to recycle in most places.
With summer in full swing, we thought it was time to bring them out of retirement and put them to work for some seriously awesome kids’ crafts and activities. We hope you can find a clever DIY or gather inspiration from this collection of our favorite ideas to help you recycle old pool noodles into decorative crafts, kids’ games, activities, or cute little play accessories and toys.
Prepare yourself for the ultimate in repurposed pool noodle creativity! From whimsical decorations to mind-blowing obstacle courses, we’ve got the scoop on how to transform those squishy foam tubes into hours of endless fun.
Quite a few of these suggestions don’t even require cutting or altering the noodles, so you can use them one way, then change them up to turn them into something completely different!
For more adorable recycled kids’ crafts for summer play, save a peanut butter jar to make our kid-safe DIY camp lanterns, turn a shoebox into a nature explorer’s kit, or sew the cutest stuffed animal crab softie from recycled tee towels or shirts!
Recycled Pool Noodle DIY Ideas for Kids Crafts and Play Activities
- Craft a clever bike car wash for summer water play (from Celebrate Always).
- Create your own giant croquet game for kids (from Inner Child Fun).
- Use pool noodles to build a gigantic obstacle course (from Learn, Play, Imagine).
- Turn a pool noodle into this adorable hobby horse (from Just Add Confetti).
- Make a cute set of flower bubble wands for recycled fairy play (from Create, Craft, Love).
- Use a sliced pool noodle as a miniature car race track (from Ramblings from Utopia).
- Kids will look forward to bath time with these little pool noodle boats (from Today’s Parent).
- Fill an afternoon stamping with this easy, fun roller stamp recycled pool noodle craft (from Wild Olive).
- Decorate for a party with these playful pool noodle lollipops (from Home and Family).
- Make your own super cool set of light sabers for a Star Wars party or play date (from Muddy Boots Blog).
- Build a kid-friendly, super safe pool noodle fire pit camp-inspired craft for dramatic play (from Home Made Mimi).
- Add flair and whimsy to a summer kids’ party or ice cream social with a jumbo popsicle garland (from Oh Happy Day).
Eight Ways to Reuse Old Pool Noodles Around the House
Old pool noodles can be repurposed in various creative and functional ways around the house. Here are ten household pool noodle hacks to get you started:
- Easy DIY Door Stoppers: Cut pool noodles into small sections and place them on door handles or between doors and walls to prevent slamming and protect surfaces.
- Padding for sharp edges: Cover sharp edges on furniture or other household items to childproof your home or prevent injuries.
- Quick wrist rests: Cut a section of pool noodle to the length of your keyboard and use it as a comfortable wrist rest while typing.
- Gardening knee pads: Cut pool noodles into small sections and place them under your knees while gardening for added cushioning.
- DIY floating cooler: Attach pool noodles to the sides of a plastic storage container to create a floating cooler for pool parties.
- Simple Cable organizers: Slice pool noodles lengthwise and use them to organize and hide cables, cords, or hoses.
- Plant protectors: Cut a straight line lengthwise down the side of a pool noodle, then wrap the noodle around the stems of new plants and bushes, or the trunks of very young trees.
- DIY pipe insulation: Use pool noodles as a cheap alternative to traditional pipe insulation, particularly in areas where freezing is not a concern.
Repurposing Pool Noodles – FAQs
Don’t be afraid to get creative! With a little imagination, you can find even more ways to give new life to old pool noodles.
Is it truly impossible to recycle pool noodles through local recycling programs?
Generally, yes. Pool noodles are made from polyethylene foam, which is not accepted by most local recycling programs. It’s always worth checking to see if there’s an option near you, though! You can use this handy foam recycling center finder to look for a program or drop-off center nearby.
How can I clean and sanitize old pool noodles before repurposing them?
If you’d like to give your pool noodles a good cleaning before craft upcycling, you can use a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Gently scrub the surface with a sponge or cloth and rinse thoroughly. Allow the noodles to air dry completely before beginning a repurposed DIY or craft project with them.
How do I cut pool noodles safely and evenly for my projects?
To cut pool noodles, use a sharp knife (Japanese hand saws work so well for this kind of task!), a utility blade, or a serrated bread knife. For safety, place the pool noodle on a stable surface and cut with a slow, controlled motion. To achieve even cuts, you can use a ruler or measuring tape as a guide.
Can I paint or decorate pool noodles for my repurposing projects?
Absolutely! Pool noodles can be painted or decorated to suit your project’s theme or personal style. You can use eco-friendly spray paint, acrylic paint, or permanent markers to add color and decoration to your pool noodle craft. You can also add embellishments like ribbons, stickers, or other decorative items with a strong adhesive, such as a hot glue gun.
Can I use pool noodles outdoors for repurposing projects?
Yes, with a couple of caveats! Pool noodles are versatile and can be used for both indoor and outdoor repurposing projects.
Just keep in mind that prolonged exposure to sunlight may cause colors to fade, and wet or damp conditions may affect the longevity of the pool noodle material.
Pool noodles can also begin to shed tiny plastic microparticles when left in the sun. These microplastics can pollute the environment or leech into water streams, so be mindful of how much sun exposure your repurposed pool noodle craft will receive.
Do pool noodles break down over time?
In short, no, not in a meaningful or helpful way. Polyethylene foam is a type of plastic that does not biodegrade quickly or easily. According to the United Nations, plastics like polyethylene can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment, and even then, they often degrade into microplastics rather than fully disappearing. This is yet another reason it is not only eco-conscious, but essential to repurpose or recycle pool noodles responsibly to minimize their environmental impact.
Who knew that those goofy, colorful foam tubes had so much potential beyond their splashy pool days? Now you’re armed with some seriously rad ideas to turn those old pool noodles into creative kid-friendly crafts and nifty around-the-house hacks.
So don’t let your pool noodles feel left out any longer – it’s time to give them a second life and have a blast while you’re at it. And hey, don’t forget to spread the word about these awesome ideas to your fellow pool noodle enthusiasts. Together, we can make the world a more fun (and less foam-filled) place!
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I love seeing all the ways people make these ideas their own! If you're sharing the results of one of our projects, mention or tag me with @barleyandbirch, or share it in the comments of one of our Pinterest project pins.
Very creative ideas – love the croquet wickets! Since my kids are all grown up, I have just been using them on my clothes hangers (great for keeping hang creases from pants as well as providing shoulder padding for hanging jackets or sweaters) by measuring a length needed and slitting it to fit over the hanger. I originally bought them to roll up batting , quilt top and backing to store before basting together.
Oh I love the hanger idea – I have some light sweaters that get those crazy shoulder bumps every time!!! Thanks for the tip!