I love watching the Olympics, but the summer Olympics are by far my favorite to watch. I mean the Winter Olympics are fun and all too, but there's just something I like more about the summer games.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to do some Olympic themed activities with my kids. After all, I wanted to get them into the spirit of the games too.
Basically, we've been hosting our own backyard Olympics - er, sunroom Olympics - right at home with pool noodles. Yes, pool noodles! We use them for so many things!
I know that your kids are going to love pretending to host their own Olympic Games too with these fun Olympic activities for kids. There are ideas to take you from the opening ceremony to the actual events themselves and medal ceremonies.
So let's kick off the first official Pool Noodle Olympic Games!
A version of this post originally appeared on the CBC Parents website.
Olympic Activities for Kids Using Pool Noodles
These 12 simple Olympic themed crafts and activities for kids using pool noodles are sure to get your kids excited about the Olympic Games.
While some of these ideas can work for both the summer and winter games, many of these ideas are specific to the summer games. However, I'm sure you could come up with some of your own ideas for the winter games if needed. Pool noodle hockey, anyone?
Anyway, what you're going to love here is that most of these Olympics activity ideas require zero prep. That means you'll be ready to host your own toddler Olympics in just a matter of minutes. Some, however, do require a bit of prep, but nothing too crazy.
You're obviously going to need some pool noodles. That's a given. You will also need a couple of other supplies. Don't worry, most of these supplies are things that you probably already have on hand.
So from the opening ceremony to the medal presentations, these ideas will have your kids covered during the Olympic Games! Ready to host your own Pool Noodle Olympics? Let's dig in!
1. Simple DIY Pool Noodle Olympic Torch
Obviously, we have to kick the games off with an opening ceremony. And that means we need an Olympic torch.
To make your own pool noodle torch, you will need:
- A pool noodle (one that is hollow, not solid) cut to about 10-12 inches long
- Tissue paper in red, orange, and yellow
- Stickers and permanent markers to decorate the torch (optional) - You could label it with your family name and the year if you'd like to commemorate the glorious events that your children are about to partake in.
Simply bunch the tissue paper together and stuff it into the hole on one end of the pool noodle. That's it. Your torch is now complete. It should look something like this.
2. Stamped Pool Noodle Olympic Ring Art
No Olympic games would be complete without some banners with the Olympic rings on them displayed throughout your venue (er...backyard or sunroom). Here's what you'll need for this art project:
- A pool noodle (again, use a hollow one, not one of those solid ones), cut into a slice about 1-2" thick
- Washable paint in black, red, blue, yellow, and green
- Large piece of paper or a canvas
Dip the pool noodle into one color of paint and stamp it onto a piece of paper. Wash the pool noodle and repeat the process for the other colors until you have stamped all five rings. Let dry. Then hang up for display around your venue.
3. Pool Noodle Fencing
Here's a classic pool noodle activity for any child. Simply give each kid a pool noodle and get ready to say, "En garde!" Zero prep, but tons of fun. And no one's going to get stabbed or hurt since we're using pool noodles here.
4. Pool Noodle High Jump
To create your own high jump, you'll need:
- Two chairs or stools - You could also just have two people hold each end.
Let the kids jump back and forth over the pool noodle without knocking it down. Feel free to adjust the height if needed. Super simple and fun.
5. Pool Noodle Gymnastics Balance Beam
Did you know that you can easily turn a pool noodle into a balance beam? Simply lay the noodle on the floor and encourage your kids to walk across it.
Trust me, it's harder to stay balanced on it than you might think. Regardless, my kids love attempting to walk across it. You can read more about this activity here.
6. Pool Noodle Weightlifting
Your kids aren't going to build muscles with these DIY pool noodle weights, but they will love pretending to be lifting those heavy weights just like the athletes do!
For this activity, you will need:
- 2 pool noodles, uncut - You will be rolling these ones up.
- 1 pool noodle, cut in half - This one will be the bar for the weights.
To make the weights, tightly roll up the two uncut pool noodles and use the duct tape to hold the rolled up noodles into a spiral. They will look a bit like swirly lollipops. Or, at least, that is what my six year old son said. Then slide the cut pool noodle between the two rolled up pool noodles.
The pool noodle weights should look like this when you're done.
7. Pool Noodle Equestrian
If you have a horse fan in your house, then they are going to love this pool noodle version of a hobby horse!
Simply flip one end of a pool noodle over and duct tape it into place (see below). Your child may want to decorate their "horse" further by drawing eyes, nostrils, or even some hair on the pool noodle using a permanent marker. You could even add a string or rope for some reins.
Then it's time to giddy up! You could even combine this with the pool noodle high jump activity and practice jumping over different heights.
8. Pool Noodle Relay Race
You're going to need a cut up pool noodle for this activity. You could even reuse that same one you used to make the torch for the opening ceremony if you want.
Then simply use the cut up pool noodle as a baton and encourage your kids to run a relay race and practice handing off the baton to their team mate.
9. Pool Noodle Javelin
Here's another no prep sport to try. You just need one pool noodle. Then all you need to do is try throwing the pool noodles like javelins!
You could even set up targets for your kids to throw to or measure how far they throw their pool noodle javelin.
10. Pool Noodle Basketball
For this activity, you will need:
- A medium sized ball (something like this)
Take one pool noodle and duct tape both ends together to form a hoop. This will be your basketball hoop. Have one person hold the hoop while another tries to score a basket or two with the ball.
11. Pool Noodle Cycling
If you are feeling a bit adventurous, you could try making a bicycle like my kids wanted to do. Just grab a variety of pool noodles, some duct tape, and your imagination! You can use the photo below as inspiration for making one of your own.
Then once you have your bicycle made, have your child run around with it. You could make a course for them to run around or even time their race to see who can set the fastest time.
My four year old was obsessed with his pool noodle bicycle! And, honestly, it really didn't take long to make.
12. Pool Noodle Olympic Medals
Of course we need to finish off the Pool Noodle Olympic Games with a medal ceremony, complete with homemade pool noodle medals.
Simply cut a slice of a pool noodle (it needs to be one inch or less in thickness) and tie a piece of ribbon or string to it. Just loop the string through the hole in the pool noodle. Your kids could even decorate their own medals with stickers or permanent markers.
Some Final Notes on the Pool Noodle Olympics
Feel free to get creative and use your pool noodles for other sports. Perhaps those round ends from the weights could become discus discs to throw? Maybe you could pretend to pole vault using a pool noodle. Could you make a bow and arrow somehow? There are lots of possibilities here!
Anyway, I hope your family enjoys these Olympic activities for kids using pool noodles as much as my boys did. Either way, have fun!
