DIY Pool Noodle Coral Reef Seaweed Tutorial
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- One cardboard box (mine measured about two feet by one foot)
- Six or seven pool noodles—I used orange and green ones (you can get them at the dollar store!) because coral comes in a variety of colors.
- Two or three blue plastic tablecloths (available at the dollar store for a dollar each)
- 1. Stand-up Sea Creature (I got mine from the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Tree)
- embellishments for the display and its surroundings (I used blow-up plastic pool toys, shells, etc. The majority of these were purchased at the 99 Cents and Dollar Stores.
- Knife for cutting box and noodles
Initially, collect your box and pool noodles (I purchased these noodles at the dollar store for a buck each, but I’ve also seen them at Wal-Mart for the same amount). I just bought mine from the Dollar Tree, but Wal-Mart and the larger stores have larger size pool noodles in a variety of colors that might be fun to mix and match.
You can now begin cutting the noodle in a spiral along its length.
Maintain spirals spaced about 6 inches apart from one another to prevent sagging.
Now cut a second spiral in-between the first one.
Untwist the two ends…
Leave at least 1 foot of noodle uncut at bottom.
DIY Pool Noodle Coral Reef Seaweed
To complete this project, you’ll only need a few inexpensive pool noodles and a few other basic supplies!
This little orange lobster is lounging in his green seaweed, looking as content as a clam.
This other exhibit, which features a sea horse and pool noodles in various colors, is equally adorable!
To complete your coral reef, you can add shells, blown-up fish, or any other marine life! The best part is that almost everything was purchased at dollar stores!
Making Blue Floral Coral From Sliced Pool Noodles
The scalloped foam pool noodles make for pretty flower-like slices, if you can find one. This is another easy element for your design. Just slice the foam noodle into 1″ slices. Set one of the slices on its side. Then, arrange another slice so that it balances atop the first by placing it off-center on its side. Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom of that slice using the low melt glue gun, then move it off center to the same spot. Repeat with another slice.
These can be made as tall or short as you like. Given that my composition is a condensed version, these actually stood and balanced fairly nicely by themselves. Ultimately, they are glued to the foam board securely.
