It’s summertime, and pool noodles are in every store aisle. Now is the perfect time to stock up! Here are seven creative ways to use pool noodles in your children’s ministry.

7 Creative Ways to Use Pool Noodles in Your Children’s Ministry

#1. Conveyer Belt

Here’s a team game that will really get the crowd moving.

Easy Prep

Beforehand, cut up noodles into pieces around 3-feet long. You’ll need around 10 pieces per team. One member from each team will also need a flat thing to sit on (think cheep pizza pan).

Play the Game

The object is for team members to build a conveyer belt so the team member who’s sitting down on the flat item can be pushed to the finish line. Make the finish line far away enough that teams must constantly move noodle pieces from the back of the line to the front to keep their sitting member moving.

You could tie this game into a lesson about how we all work together for God.

#2. Race Tracks

This craft is great for little ones.

Easy Prep

Find a few pool noodles that have a hole in the middle (most pool noodles do). Then cut in half the noodles long-ways. Tape the cut pool noodles end to end to create a toy car or marble race track.

Lead the Activity

Experiment and see what kind of exciting tracks you can make. Or put two race tracks side-by-side and have a race.

#3. Noodle Hockey

A great game that can fit most size groups and play areas.

Easy Prep

Cut your noodles in half (short-ways).

Play the Game

Give each player one noodle half to use as a hockey stick. Form two teams and play with a light-weight ball. You can even create a make-shift goal out of a few leftover noodles.

#4. Work of Art

Create a masterpiece!

Easy Prep

Thinly slice sections of the pool noodles to make circle stamps. You can also find and cut differently-shaped noodles that come in gear or flower shapes.

Lead the Activity

Give kids washable paint and the pool noodle stamps to paint with. Gather washable paint.  You could even stick a pencil in the middle of a section of pool noodle and use it as a small paint roller. Let your kids experiment with different ways to paint with the pool noodles.

#5. Keep Your Balance

A simple one-on-one game that just requires one noodle.

Two players grab different ends of the same noodle and bend down in a squatting position. The aim of the game is to get your opponent to let go of the noodle or lose his balance and touch the ground by pushing and pulling the noodle.

Considering tying it into a lesson about how when the world tries to shake us, God can keep us on solid ground.

#6. Sock It to Me

A high-energy game great for older kids.

Easy Prep

Gather a few pool noodles, duct tape, and socks.

Play the Game

Tape one or two pool noodles to each kid’s back. Then cover the top of each noodle with a sock. Players each try to take the socks off other players’ noodles, while keeping an eye on their back. Players cannot touch each other—just the noodles. Play until there’s only remaining or until time runs out (in which case, the person with the most socks wins).

#7. Safety First

If you have kids running around there’s always a chance of someone getting hurt. Grab a few extra pool noodles, cut them in half, and place them around sharp corners or edges of furniture. They might even brighten up the room for kids.

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