Recycled Pool Noodle Stamping Craft
Old pool noodles can become brand new art supplies with this easy summer craft for kids. Instead of tossing worn out pool noodles, cut them into simple stamps and let kids dip, press, and create colorful flower art. This is a fun recycled craft for preschoolers, classrooms, summer camps, and rainy day art tables.
Pool noodle stamping is also a great sensory art activity because kids can explore shapes, colors, patterns, and textures while making their own masterpieces.
Supplies
- Pool noodle
- Serrated knife
- Washable paint
- Paper
- Newspaper or table covering
- Paper plate or shallow tray for paint
- Paintbrush
- Green paint, marker, or crayon for stems and leaves
- Apron or old shirt
Instructions
- Cover your work surface with newspaper or a washable table covering.
- Have an adult use a serrated knife to cut the pool noodle into slices. For older kids, 2 inch slices work well. For preschoolers, cut pieces closer to 5 inches long so they are easier to grip.
- Pour washable paint onto a paper plate or shallow tray.
- Dip one end of the pool noodle into the paint.
- Press the painted end onto paper to make flower shapes, circles, bubbles, or fun patterns.
- Use a paintbrush, marker, or crayon to add stems, leaves, grass, sunshine, or other details.
- Let the artwork dry flat before displaying it.
Tips for Younger Kids
Use larger pool noodle pieces so little hands can hold them more easily.
Offer only two or three paint colors at a time to keep the activity simple and less messy.
Tape the paper to the table if kids are pressing firmly with the stamps.
Fun Facts
Rubber stamps became popular in the 1800s, but people have used stamping and printing methods for much longer. Long before modern craft stamps, people used carved designs, seals, and printing tools to mark paper, fabric, and other materials.
Pool noodles are usually made from foam, which makes them lightweight, easy to cut, and perfect for creating soft stamps for kids’ art projects.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
No printable pattern is needed for this craft. Kids can create their own designs using recycled pool noodle stamps, paint, and paper.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Turn this recycled craft into a simple classroom activity about reusing materials. Talk with kids about how old items can be repurposed instead of thrown away. Ask students to name other things that could become art supplies, such as cardboard tubes, bottle caps, bubble wrap, or scrap paper.
For a math connection, have children count how many stamped flowers they made, sort them by color, or create repeating patterns. For a writing activity, invite kids to title their artwork or write one sentence about their garden picture.
This also works well as a summer classroom display. Create a large bulletin board garden filled with each child’s pool noodle stamped flowers.
Supplies
Instructions
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
