The thought of being cast ashore and stranded in the middle of the ocean is certainly something we never want to experience. However, many children still like to imagine themselves in these situations with the aid of a little bit of fantasy. As such, you might want to provide them with the perfect props to help bring their castaway imaginations to life. Find out some creative tips for making a raft out of jumbo pool noodles.
Gather Supplies
Before building your raft, you must gather all your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12 Jumbo Pool Noodles
- 4 Thin PVC Pipes
- Nylon Rope
- Box Cutter
- Measuring Tape
- Permanent Marker
The most important aspect of making a raft is ensuring it stays afloat, which is why you want to choose high-quality jumbo noodles. At Honor Trading Company, we sell big pool noodles in a variety of colors, so you can customize your raft any way you choose.
Make the Base
Line your 12 noodles up and use your measuring tape to make a mark every eleven inches, which should result in four marks. Make sure to mark each of your pool noodles all the way around in a circle; these marks are the areas you will thread your pipes through. Use your box cutter to make two openings on each of your noodles at every mark. Then, thread your pipes through each of your noodle openings.
Next, you’ll reinforce your base with the nylon rope. To do this, cut your rope into four 12-inch long pieces. First, thread your rope through each pipe. After you thread the rope through, even it out on either end, and then weave the remaining rope in between each pipe. Finally, meet the two ends of the rope together in the middle of the raft so you can tie a knot.
Final Touches
One of the best tips for making a raft out of jumbo pool noodles is that there’s never a bad time for a little bit of fantasy. As such, consider adding some pirate imagery with flags and hats. You might even have a scavenger hunt in which the kids search for buried treasure you hid in the backyard.