Cut Up a Pool Noodle and Add Some LED Lights: Your Backyard Will Glow Like Never Before!

Imagine stepping into your backyard at twilight, and instead of the usual darkness, you're greeted by a soft, colorful glow—fun, welcoming, and uniquely yours. What’s the secret? A simple combination of two items you probably already have: pool noodles and LED lights.

This project is inexpensive, beginner-friendly, and full of potential for creativity. Whether you want to add ambiance to a summer barbecue, make your garden feel magical, or create a safe, well-lit path around your yard, this guide will walk you through every step of making glowing pool noodle lanterns.

Let’s dive into this fun DIY project that turns a humble pool noodle into a stunning backyard lighting display.

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Why Use Pool Noodles?

Pool noodles aren’t just for swimming—they’re one of the most versatile crafting tools out there.

Benefits of Pool Noodles for Outdoor DIY:

• Lightweight and durable

• Easy to cut and shape

• Water-resistant (great for outdoor use)

• Hollow center perfect for inserting lights

• Cheap and widely available

When combined with LED lights, they diffuse light beautifully, creating a soft glow perfect for pathways, patios, and garden beds.

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What You’ll Create: Glowing Garden Tubes

You’ll cut pool noodles into sections, insert LED lights, and arrange them creatively. These tubes can be:

• Lined up as pathway markers

• Stacked to make glowing towers

• Hung from trees like lanterns

• Mounted on stakes to line flower beds

Let’s get into what you’ll need.

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Materials You’ll Need

Item	Description
Pool Noodles	Standard hollow pool noodles in your choice of colors.
LED Lights	Battery-operated or solar-powered mini LED string lights or individual puck lights.
Utility Knife or Serrated Knife	For cutting noodles into clean segments.
Hot Glue Gun or Weatherproof Adhesive	Optional, for securing lights.
Wooden Dowels / Garden Stakes	For mounting your lights upright if desired.
Spray Paint (Optional)	For more elegant color effects or glow-in-the-dark options.
Decorative Add-ons	Ribbons, artificial flowers, stencils, etc. (for themed displays).