Decorating for Mystery Island: 4 Creative Ways to Use Pool Noodles

Pool noodles are a ubiquitous pool and beach item—and, best of all, they’re cheap! As you are gearing up to turn your church into a tropical island paradise, here are four ways the humble pool noodle can help.

1. Turn it into an octopus arm. Rather than create a whole octopus, just have a few arms curling out from behind a rock formation. Create the arms using paper, perhaps with a wire inside for stability and ease of sculpting. Then slice a pool noodle of whichever color you prefer and attach the slices to form the tentacles.
2. Create a raft. A collection of pool noodles held together with twine or a fun, colored string, creates a getaway raft. This can be used to hid unsightly pieces of furniture that clash with the theme. Bonus tip: glue the noodles together for added stability.
3. Use them to make trees. Palm trees can be made by building a wooden frame, then sliding a pool noodle over it. Brown paper is easily attached to the pool noodle and some paper leaves draped over floral wire completes the look.
4. Decorate a surf shop. Consider making your check-in or help desk a surf shop. Along with flip flops, life jackets, and sunscreen, add some pool noodles for “sale.”

Do you have creative decorating ideas to share? Join our Answers VBS Discussion Group and post pictures, ask questions, and see what other churches are doing.