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Pool Noodle Activities

Sometimes simplicity spawns imagination. Since being invented by Stephen Motosko in 1999, these rolled colored foam items have been made into crafts, furniture and games; they have even been incorporated into geneticists' lesson plans. The original purpose for these noodles was pool play and that is still where you can engage in many activities using these colorful toys.

Noodle Races
- You don't have to have a horse for pool horse racing.
  
  Pool Horse Racing is an activity for adults and children. Everyone gets a noodle and lines up at the shallow end of the pool. They mount their noodles like they would horses. When everyone is ready they begin kicking their feet, trying to get to the end of the pool. The first one to the end wins.
  
  Pool Car Racing is not a race for serious contenders, but rather the clowns in the family. Racers sit on one noodle and put another noodle in front of them to provide a little stability. Pretend you are race car drivers and head down the pool. You may not have any winners, but you will have a lot of laughter.
Noodle Ball Games
- Play noodle baseball and escape the summer heat.
  
  In Noodle Tennis, you put a line about 5 feet above the swimming pool to create a net. Use a ball anywhere from 12 to 18 inches in diameter. You can play doubles or singles. Get a noodle for each player. Fold the noodles so that the two ends touch and hold them together to make a racket in both your hands. Serve the ball by placing the racket behind your head with the ball in it. Then, sling it over your head and release it. The other player should return the ball by hitting the racket on the surface of the water and pushing the ball under the line. Just like in regular tennis, you get two chances to serve. If you don't get the ball under the line to the other side of the net, you have to give up your serve. If the ball goes out of bounds (you set boundaries before the game begins) or the other person misses it completely, you get the point. Not only is the game loads of fun, it is also a great workout for your arms.
  
  Noodle Baseball is absolutely the best game for a pool full of people. One player is the pitcher in the shallow end. Three players hold noodles for bases in the middle of the pool. Fold the noodles and hold both ends in both your hands. The players on base have to hold to the noodles. Two players should be in the deep end floating on noodles, waiting to catch any wayward balls. The rest of the players line up to bat. They make the bat by folding the noodles like those used at the bases.
  
  The pitcher throws a ball, from 12 to 18 inches in diameter. The batter tries to hit the ball with the bat.
  
  Otherwise, use the same rules as baseball. (You can even slide, but it is called a skim.)
Exercise
- Before swimming laps, use the noodle for toning.
  
  The above games will give you plenty of exercise, but if you want a routine, try this one in the shallow end of the pool. Begin by taking the noodle in both hands, floating your arms on the water. Move from side to side 20 times. Lift the noodle above your head in an arch. Move it from side to side 20 times. Hold the noodle in both hands and push it down as far as you can; hold it until you count to 10. Repeat 10 times. Put one foot in the middle of the noodle. Holding one end of the noodle in each hand, slowly raise your leg as far as you can. Hold it until you count to 10. Repeat 10 times. Change legs and repeat the procedure. At the end of your routine, step on the noodle with both feet and keep your balance as long as possible.

Kids Games