Material: Pool Noodle

Floating Noodle Squeezer

Floating Noodle Squeezer

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Use your scissors to cut a pool noodle into thin round ‘donuts’ about one inch thick.
  • Fill a large container or plastic tub halfway with cool water and set it on a stable table.
  • Place all the colorful noodle rings into the water so they float freely.
  • Ask your child to hold the side of the container with their helper hand to stay steady.
  • Have your child reach into the water and grab a floating noodle ring with their other hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze the ring as hard as they can to see the water spray out!
  • Tell them to drop the ‘rescued’ ring into a basket next to the tub.
  • Repeat until all the floating rings are safely in the basket.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play to prevent slips or spills. Pool noodle pieces are not for the mouth.

The Foil Ring Noodle Slide

Girl sliding a foil ring down a pool noodle toward a colored marker stripe in a backyard

Steps:

  • Tear off five squares of aluminium foil about the size of a piece of bread.
  • Show your child how to roll each foil square into a long, thin snake.
  • Bend the foil snake into a circle and twist the ends to make a ring.
  • Use markers to draw different colored stripes on your pool noodle to create targets.
  • Ask your child to hold the pool noodle with one hand.
  • Use the other hand to slide a foil ring onto the end of the noodle.
  • Challenge them to slide the ring all the way to a matching color stripe!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Aluminium foil can have thin edges and small pieces can be a choking hazard.

The Noodle Ring Spire

The Noodle Ring Spire

Steps:

  • Roll a large ball of playdough using both hands.
  • Press the ball flat onto the table to make a steady base.
  • Push a wooden stick straight down into the center of the playdough so it stands upright like a pole.
  • Help your child hold the pool noodle steady with their helper hand.
  • Use a plastic safety knife to slice the pool noodle into thick, round rings.
  • Pick up one noodle ring and slide it over the wooden stick.
  • Stack all the rings to build a colorful, wobbly spire!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely when they are using a safety knife. Ensure the wooden stick is blunt and handled safely.

Laundry Basket Sailboat

Laundry Basket Sailboat

Steps:

  • Place a large laundry basket on a smooth floor like wood or tile.
  • Have your child sit inside the basket with their legs tucked in comfortably.
  • Give them a long pool noodle to hold with both hands like an oar.
  • Show them how to push the noodle against the floor to move the basket.
  • Encourage them to alternate pushing on the left and then the right side.
  • Use masking tape to mark a start and finish line for the race.

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child to keep the basket from tipping. Make sure the floor is clear of toys that could trip them up.

The Pool Noodle Dinner Prep

The Pool Noodle Dinner Prep

Steps:

  • Place a pool noodle on a flat surface like a table or paper plate.
  • Have your child hold the noodle steady with their helper hand.
  • Hand them a plastic safety knife with their other hand.
  • Show them how to move the knife back and forth in a sawing motion.
  • Encourage them to cut the noodle into small food slices.
  • Once they have a pile of slices, they can serve them on a paper plate!

Safety Tip:
Always use a dull plastic safety knife and supervise your child closely to ensure they use a safe sawing motion.