20+ Pool Noodle Hacks & Learning Ideas

Pool noodles are the perfect material to transform into a pool noodle hack for a summer themed activity or idea. The bonus is that they are available almost everywhere.

Normally, when we think of pool noodles, we picture them bobbing around the pool or watching kids have a pool noodle fight. But they have so many other uses as well!

Pool noodles are genius for chopping up and adding letters or numbers to help children master skills such as math, reading, and more. There are so many fun ideas, I had a hard time picking my favorites. These ideas take pool noodles and turn them into engaging and exciting activities for kids!

Pool Noodle Hacks & Learning Ideas

See our favorite pool noodle hacks that don’t involve a pool!

Math Learning Ideas and Activities

Teach counting, fractions, greater than or less than, and more — all with these pool noodle hacks and ideas.

Pool Noodle Abacus from Happy Hooligans:
This DIY pool noodle abacus makes a fun way to practice math and counting, and there are lots of other creative ways to use it as well!

Binary Code from JDaniel4’s Mom:
Making patterns and coding is extra fun when you do it with pool noodles!

Pool Noodle Fractions from WeAreTeachers:
Often times, kids need to see fractions to really understand them. This pool noodle learning hack is an incredible way to help children visually understand simple fractions!

Build A Base Ten from The Educator’s Spin On It:
Building base ten is a great way for kids to grasp more complicated math concepts. We love this pool noodle game and appreciate her suggestion on how often to use it!

Equation Game from WeAreTeachers:
While this activity is explained with multiplication, the same concept can be used for addition and subtraction facts. A simple way to help children with math facts on the go!

Create Patterns from Pocket Of Preschool:
Make fun floating pattern towers! This is a great math center or small group teamwork activity for preschoolers.

Pool Noodle Math Activity from Planning Playtime:
Understanding “greater than” and “less than” is an important math skill. Using pool noodles makes this easy to practice and learn.

Pool Noodle Tally Marks from Planning Playtime:
I enjoyed learning tally marks and teaching my kids about tally marks too. This is a SUPER fun way to practice.

Alphabet Learning Ideas and Activities

Help children learn important literacy skills and work on learning the alphabet with pool noodles by transforming them into pool noodle letters.

Pool Noodle Name Activity from Preschool Inspirations:
Names are the first word that children typically learn how to spell, read and write. Pool noodles are the perfect hands-on way to help children learn how to spell their name!

Pool Noodle CVC Words from Planning Playtime:
I love how this activity separates vowels and consonants! Use pool noodles to make real and nonsense words.

How To Use Pool Noodle Letters from Simply Kinder:
5 fun ways to use pool noodle letters, including simple instructions on how to make them.

Sight Word Boat Races from The Educator’s Spin On It:
Race your sight word boat to the finish line!

Pool Noodle Pencil from Laly Mom:
Turn a pool noodle into a giant pencil! This would be a perfect back to school decoration too.

ABC Basket from The Educator’s Spin On It:
Set out a basket of pool noodle letters and let the creativity begin!

STEM & Other Fun Activities

Pool noodles are also easy to turn into STEM activities for a preschool theme.

Indoor Tower Building from Little Bins for Little Hands:
How tall can you make your pool noodle and toothpick tower?? This activity incorporates creativity, fine motor skills, engineering, and fun!

Pool Noodle Fine Motor Skill Activity from My Mundane and Miraculous Life:
Strengthen fine motor skills with these fun and simple pool noodle activities.

Pool Noodle Card Holder from Little Bins for Little Hands:
What a brilliant idea to use pool noodles to help little kids hold cards while playing a game! This is great for bigger kids too.

Pool Noodle Monster from Create.Craft.Love:
This is a fun way to use old (or new) pool noodles. Let kids be creative and create their own little monsters!

Threading With Pool Noodles from Mrs Plemon’s Kindergarten:
If you scroll about halfway through the post, you’ll see an idea for threading with pool noodles. Kids can make banners, giant necklaces, and so much more!

Pool Noodle Race Car Track from Ramblings From Utopia:
Racing cars has never been so fun! Kids can race and play with the tracks and cars, with or without water!

Poking Bin from Busy Toddler:
Toddlers like to tinker. Using pool noodles as the base for this poking bin is a safe and fun way to play! Kids can explore and learn in a controlled space.