Pool Noodles are an incredibly versatile toy that can be used for dozens of fun activities. If you don’t have any on hand, you can pick up a Pool Noodle at the Dollar Tree or any big box store like Wal-Mart or Target. Today I want to share with you all of the simple and fun ways kids can use pool noodles to improve their skills while they are having fun. So, let’s dive in!
Core Strength
The muscles that surround the central portion of our body are known as our core muscles. They include our abdominals, large muscles of our back, etc. The core muscles are important for everything from posture, to breathing, to moving. So, keeping them strong is important for kids and teens.
One of my favorite ways to work on core strength is the Pool Noodle Sword Fight. All you need is a full pool noodle or one cut down to a shorter length. If you want to make the game a little more fun, you can decorate your noodle sword with duct tape and markers.
Check out the video to see the game in action. This activity is great for all kids because it can be adjusted/modified allowing all kids to participate.
- If your child has limited standing balance or is not able to stand/ walk they can do this activity in kneeling, sitting in a chair, on the floor, or in their adapted devices such as a stander or wheelchair.
Balance
Balance is an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. The ability to balance in one position (static balance) and the ability to balance while moving (dynamic balance) are important for all of the movement we do during the day.
One of the best ways to work on balance with a pool noodle is by playing a game of Tug of War. As your partner pulls the noodle you move in and out of your base of support and you have to work really hard not to fall. Tug of War is also easily adaptable allow all kids to participate. Like the sword fight you can play in standing, kneeling, sitting, or in an adaptive device.
Coordination
Coordination is the ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently. In order for our body to learn how to perform an activity smoothly and efficiently, we need to practice. The Balloon Bounce is a great way to work on coordination skills with a pool noodle. All you need is the noodle and a balloon.
The object of this activity is to bounce the balloon on the noodle being sure it doesn’t drop to the floor. I recommend you start this activity by bouncing the balloon on your own. Once your skills progress try playing with a partner. As with the other activities the balloon bounce is easily adaptable and can be played in standing, kneeling, or sitting.
Another great way to use pool noodles to improve coordination skills is to create an obstacle course. I like to use pool noodle pieces as obstacles for kids to step over, jump over, and even walk on. You can create straight segments and even circles by taping the ends together with duct tape. Pool noodles are great for obstacles courses because the bright colors are easy to see, helping with navigation.
Videos to Check Out!
I hope you found some helpful ideas for activities to do with pool noodles. Try some of them out and let me know what you think. Do you have other ideas? Please share them in the comments.
I hope you have a great week!
-Heather