recycling pool noodles

summertime means fun in the pool. we all love those colorful foam noodles we use in the pool. you can blow water through it’s inner tube, fold it and sit on it. pool noodles are a blast of summer fun. at the end of the swimming season though you’ll find yards littered with broken, forgotten noodles. this year don’t toss that broken toy away. here are some ways to recycle pool noodles and keep summer fun living on throughout the year.

bicycle accessories

little boys and little girls can think about summer all year long with this recycling idea. cut your noodle, mom and dad, into varying lengths. with the noodle pieces cover bare bicycle frames. just make a slice on one side and slip it over the frame. secure the noodle pieces with colored duct tape. this would keep noodles from getting caught up in spokes or chains. also, don’t noodle areas that would make cycling dangerous. the hollow inner tube of the noodle comes in varying sizes so be sure and pick the size that’s right for your child’s frame.

noodle animals

this is a fun craft for kids and grown ups. make an animal using wooden dowels. you could make a horse, dog or whatever animal you like. after you create your animal with the wood, add the foam noodle pieces to give your animal ‘bones’ some flesh. use buttons to glue on eyes and other features. the possibilities are endless with your noodle animals.

paint stamps

cut the noodle into three inch sections. put a little craft paint on a plastic plate. put a stamp cut side down. dab the paint stamp on your desired surface. it will give you a kind of apple shape. for more detailed paint stamps, use an exacto knife, carefully, and carve some grooves or designs in the stamp surface.

packing material

making a move soon? use your broken pool noodles as packing material. use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the noodle into tiny pieces. pour the noodles pieces into your packing box. the foam makes a great cushion to protect breakables.

fishing floats

are you a fisherman? cut up broken noodles and use them as float locators for your equipment. run some float pieces over some fishing line and tie the pieces to various items on your boat. this would be great if a renegade wave decides to toss your equipment over board. also you the noodle pieces as corks. you’ll know when the big one comes along with a noodle cork. however, let us suggest that if you are thinking about using a noodle as a life saving device think again. the coast guard requires fishermen to have bright sufficient floatation devices. don’t chintz on the lifesaving equipment!

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