For at least a year now, every time I walked by the pool noodles in the dollar store, I would glance over and try to think about how I could use them for some hands-on play and fun (other than the obvious – we don’t have a backyard pool after all!).
I finally came up with a winning idea! Onetime had a blast with this seriously cheap ($6 in total) activity that is part science, part art – and a whole lot of creativity. Find out what we did with these noodles in today’s Pool Noodle STEAM fun activity!
Just in case you aren’t familiar with the term S.T.E.A.M. – it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Today’s project easily fits within these categories and is the perfect mixture of open-ended fun and learning.
Supplies
You will need:
- 4 or 5 or more different coloured and shaped pool noodles
- a bread knife
- Small container of toothpicks
- Shishkabob sticks
Preparation
To get the activity ready, you will need to start cutting up those pool noodles!
I found a bread knife worked really well to slice the noodles if you use it like a saw.
I sliced the noodles mostly width-wise to create all kinds of different width “rings.” I also sliced some pieces length-wise to create arched pieces. My favourite noodle to slice was the red one with 4 grooves that ended up looking like ninja throwing stars!
Even before I had finished cutting them all, Onetime wanted to get his hands on things! So, I handed him the shishkabob sticks and he started creating!
First, he started putting the larger pieces together. There was a lot of random investigation of how to use the sticks.
After a few minutes (before I had even finished cutting!) – he had created a “raft.”
After lots of play (and adaptations to the raft) – Onetime started getting interested in the toothpicks and the play became smaller and more detailed.
Onetime started using the smaller pieces and ended up creating a “bird-feeder” which he gleefully placed some Cheerios on… because birds like Cheerios – don’t they?
The first time Onetime played with the noodles – it lasted over an hour. And we’ve had lots more fun playing with the pool noodle “blocks” since.
They have been stacked, threaded, sorted, thrown at targets and built into structures over and over again – and we’ve only had them for a couple of weeks.
What will your kids do with these? Whatever they decide – I’m sure they’ll have fun – and be creative in the process!
Today’s post was a part of a new 5 Senses Science Blog Hop that we’ll be participating in throughout June on Fridays with a bunch of other fun blogs!
This week’s theme was science activities that have to do with the sense of TOUCH. Check out the other fun posts below!
4 Engineering Challenges for Kids with Craft Sticks, Cups, and Cubes – FrugalFun4Boys
How to Make a Travel Geoboard – Left Brain Craft Brain
Easy and Colorful Magnetic Sculpture – Pink Stripey Socks
Slug Slime Races – Lemon Lime Adventures
String and Bead Puzzle – What Do We Do All Day?
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🙂 Really like this simple idea! Pinned!
Thanks Leslie. I appreciate you dropping by! Best, Sue
I love this, Sue! Such a great idea. Actually, when I first saw this post, I thought it was about playing with the inventions in the pool. My boy would get a kick out of watching his creations float after building them…. (note to self…!)
Never thought about that – but that would be so fun! Maybe we’ll try it in the bathtub or local stream! Great idea! Thanks for dropping by Betsy!
What a cool idea for building!
These are really fun! My daughter loves making free form sculptures.
Thanks for dropping by Anne! We’ve had lots of creative fun with these!
Sue – What a great idea for the many left over pool noodles I inherited from my in-laws! Thanks for the crafty idea!
Thanks so much Tracy. Too funny about the left over noodles – an interesting legacy! Thanks for dropping by, Best, Sue
Love this idea. We do marshmallows and toothpicks, but my kids would love the larger scale. I’m curious…how long do they hold up? How many times can they be poked with the skewers before they start crumbling? Would they stand up to a library program?
Hi Amanda – these hold up really well and can be used over and over again. The only part that might need replacing would be the toothpicks or skewers if the kids snap them in half on purpose. I think taking them into the library is a fantastic idea!