DIY: Pool Noodle Boat | Tinkerer Box Blog

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Pool Noodle Boat

Stem Activities

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Ever wondered why pool noodles float instead of sink? Let's explore the science behind it by creating pool noodle boats using simple household materials! These boats make bath time more fun and educational.

Materials Needed

Colored foam paper
Drinking straws
Pool noodle pieces
Colored paper tape
Scissors
Pencil

An assortment of craft supplies is laid out on a light wood-grain table. The items include a sheet of pink construction paper, several colorful straws, a pair of light green foam rings, rolls of orange and green tape, a pair of white scissors, and a blue pencil. This flat lay arrangement suggests preparation for a children's craft project or DIY activity.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Draw a triangle on the foam paper using a pencil.

Two hands are positioned on a light wood-grain table with a sheet of light green construction paper between them. One hand holds a blue pencil and is in the process of drawing a triangle on the paper. The other hand rests lightly on the paper, appearing to steady it. This image suggests the beginning stages of a craft or drawing activity.

Step 2

Cut out the triangle. You can make several triangles depending on how many boats you want to make.

Several colorful paper triangles are arranged on a light wood-grain surface. The triangles fan out from a central point, overlapping slightly. They appear to be cut from construction paper in shades of light teal, bright yellow, blue, and pink. These vibrant triangles likely form part of a craft project or decorative element.

Step 3

Cut straws in half. Each straw piece should be slightly longer than the triangle's edge. Try to keep straw lengths consistent if making multiple boats.

Two hands are shown on a light wood-grain surface. One hand holds a blue plastic drinking straw, while the other hand holds a pair of white scissors and is in the process of cutting the straw. A few other colorful straws, including pink, green, orange, black-and-white patterned, and another blue one, lie on the table near the cutting action. This image likely depicts a step in a craft project or activity involving cutting straws.

Step 4

Fold the foam triangle in half and thread the straw through it as shown.

Two hands manipulate a piece of bright yellow construction paper and an orange straw on a light wood-grain table. The paper is folded over the straw, and the hands are pinching the edges of the paper around the straw. This image appears to capture a step in a craft project, likely creating a three-dimensional shape or structure using paper and straws.

Step 5

Insert the straw with the foam sail into the pool noodle piece.

Two hands hold a small, simple sailboat craft on a light wood-grain table. The boat's hull is a light green foam ring, and a short piece of orange straw is inserted through the center. A bright yellow triangle of construction paper, acting as the sail, is attached to the straw. The hands are positioning or adjusting the sail. This image showcases a completed or near-completed children's craft project.

Step 6

Cut a piece of colored paper tape and attach it to the top of the straw.

Two hands hold a finished toy sailboat craft on a light wood-grain background. The boat's hull is a light green foam ring. An orange straw mast rises from the center, holding a bright yellow triangular sail. A small, rectangular yellow flag is attached to the top of the mast. One hand holds the base of the boat, while the other gently adjusts the flag. This image showcases a completed children's craft project.

Step 7

Cut a small triangle from the end of the tape to create a flag shape.

Several small, handmade sailboats are displayed on a light wood-grain table. Each boat has a light green foam ring for a hull and a colored paper sail attached to a straw mast with a small paper flag at the top. The sailboats have sails and flags in various colors: light green with a dark green flag, bright yellow with an orange flag, and blue with a light green flag. Two hands are shown in the foreground, one holding a yellow-sailed boat and the other holding a pair of white scissors, seemingly about to trim the sail. This image likely depicts a craft activity involving making toy sailboats.

Step 8

Place your boat in a container of water or bathtub and watch it float!

Four small, handmade sailboats float in a clear, shallow rectangular container with a little water. Each boat uses a light green foam ring as a hull and has a colored paper sail attached to a straw mast with a small paper flag at the top. The sails and flags vary in color: light green with a dark green flag, yellow with an orange flag, blue with a light green flag, and yellow with an orange flag. The last boat has a white foam hull and a black-and-white spotted straw mast. A hand is visible in the top right corner, placing the last boat into the water. This image captures a playful scene of toy sailboats ready to race or sail.

The Science Behind It:

Boats float due to buoyancy - an upward force exerted by liquids on objects. When your boat is placed in water, the water pushes up while the boat's weight pulls down. When the pool noodle displaces enough water, the buoyant force overcomes the boat's weight, allowing it to float. This is the same principle that keeps pool noodles floating in swimming pools.

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We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.