8 Smart Ways To Connect Pool Noodles For All Your DIY Needs

Pool noodles come in clutch whenever we need them, whether to float in the pool, to add a cushion to an uncomfortable spot, or to create a simple, fun outdoor game. While we've covered how to put pool noodles to good use around the house, we may not think as much about how to adhere and connect them. From duct tape and E6000 glue to drink koozies and plastic bag pieces, here are some smart ways to connect pool noodles that are both conventional and unconventional.

A major factor that should guide you when deciding how to connect pool noodles is how it's being used. DIY projects vary widely in complexity and style, and the connection method can help you successfully achieve your desired result, so you need to choose the best type of adhesive for your project. Are the pool noodles going to get wet? Will they bend or move a lot? Do you need a super strong hold? How about an inconspicuous adhesive? We've provided you with the right option for all of these scenarios.

Tape is probably what comes to mind when you want to join anything, since it's a reliable adhesive that's always around the house. Duct tape is a smart tool to connect pool noodles, especially when you want to form a circle or round figure. The taped edges will bend easily and you won't have to worry about the tape falling off. Duct tape can also help with styling your pool noodles, since it comes in different colors. If you're making a wreath or light sabers, for example, use it to connect them — and change their look at the same time.

Glue is another common adhesive, especially when you need a tidy job, because it helps camouflage where the joints were made. This is smart with projects where you use the pool noodles to create a base and cover it up with paint or other materials, like DIY headboards, tufted stools, or mirror frames. Note that not all types of glue will work on pool noodles, because some, like hot glue or superglue, might melt the foam. Go for polyurethane glue, construction adhesive, or E6000 multipurpose adhesive instead. You can get a small tube of E6000 on Amazon for $9.

This idea involves tying the pool noodles together with any type of rope. You can use normal rope, string, strong thread, rubber bands, or a bungee or nylon cord. Specifically, nylon is water-resistant, so that would give you the added benefit of being able to use your connected pool noodles in water. You can even DIY a pool noodle raft for your pets! This is a great option if you want to reuse the pool noodles after. You can tie them up for your project and just cut off the ties when you're done.

Do you have a stash of disposable plastic shopping bags? You can use them to create homemade ties for your pool noodles. Simply shred them up into thin, narrow pieces and tie them tightly around the pool noodles. You can use either the single-use type or the compostable ones, as long as they are soft and malleable enough. Note that this plastic bag DIY method is best for connecting pool noodles side by side, like for a raft, instead of end to end, as you would for a wreath. It also can't be relied on for a secure hold.

If you have some drink koozies lying around, repurpose them into pool noodle connectors. All you need to do is to cut out the bottoms of your drink koozies so the pool noodles can fit inside them. This can come in handy when setting up one of these 8 Olympic-themed backyard games you can DIY with pool noodles. Note that drink koozies don't offer a completely secure hold, so you might need to double up with glue. You can also use them to cover up an unsightly spot where you've used duct tape or rope.

Zip ties are useful if you need a fully secure hold that leaves no room for moving around. That's why they can be used for making a simple floating raft to use in the pool, for example. With this kind of project, you can't have the pool noodles separating and giving way, as that defeats the entire purpose, so it's crucial that you have a reliable connection system. When using zip ties, cut the edges all the way down so they aren't sharp or sticking out, as that can hurt you.

All the methods above involve connecting pool noodles end to end or side to side, but another smart way is to connect them from the inside. Just take a long rope or cord, pass it through a hollow pool noodle, and you're good to go. Make sure it's a sturdy rope so it won't break as you use the pool noodle. Nylon rope is good for this and you can get 50 feet of it at Home Depot for $12. You can tie it into all knots and seal the ends by melting them a bit with fire.

A big reason pool noodles are used for all DIY needs is that they are very flexible and can be manipulated into virtually any shape. Because of this, you can twist and tie them on their own or with others in knots to make what you want. Note that this method typically needs another type of tie for the ends if you're joining multiple together like duct tape, glue, or zip ties. You can also connect the pool noodles from the inside as mentioned above and tie the ends together.