Stop hearing how bored your kids are and create some fun, that they’ll love, for just a few dollars! If you need a cheap way to entertain the kids, then you’ve got to make this Pool Noodle Ring Toss game. It’s a backyard play idea that will provide fun for all ages of kids (and even the adults love it too). Anyone can make this game and you can use it again and again… all summer long.

I’m always at our local dollar store and every year they have tons of pool noodles. My kids love playing with them and for the longest time we only brought them to the pool. Then, I noticed that my kids would take them out of our garage to play outside with. They love using them for so many creative ways to play.

That’s how this Pool Noodle Ring Toss game came to life. It’s an easy concept that kids of all ages can understand, starting with the pre-school age, but even older kids love to get in on the action. The idea is simple: just throw the ring and try to get it over a “stick” and the ones further away score you more points! Sometimes we don’t even play for points and just throw the rings for fun.

Looking for more great summer backyard ideas to entertain your kids? Here are some favorites:

• How To Set Up A Backyard Movie Night
• DIY Nerf Targets For Kids

How To Make Pool Noodle Ring Toss Game (Backyard Play)

Putting together this game is so easy and even the kids can help out. It only takes a few minutes to set up and play. You can reuse all of the materials to play the game again. The materials are easy to purchase at any big box store, but I’ll drop the Amazon links below that I used – so you can purchase the exact same thing!

Materials That You’ll Need:

• Wooden Dowels 48-Inches Long
• Spray Paint (Optional)
• 2-4 Pool Noodles
• Duct Tape
• Hammer

Why Do You Spray Paint The Wooden Dowels?

You don’t have to spray paint the dowels, if you don’t want to! Completely skip this part if it’s too much for you. I like having the dowels spray painted so they have contrast and don’t show grass (or dirt) stains as much. It’s an even easier project if you want to pass on the spray paint.

How Do You Play Pool Noodle Ring Toss Game?

It’s just like the old-school carnival game. Follow the directions below to craft your game. After it’s set up, select spot for every kid to stand on when it’s their turn, that’s a few feet from the dowels. The closest dowel is 100 points, the 2nd one is 200 points and the 3rd dowel is 300 points because it’s the hardest to score. Next, the kids take turns tossing the pool noodle rings. Every kids has 10 turns (or less depending on the time length of the game) and whoever scores the most points will win!

Those are the “official” rules, but it’s all about having fun. I notice the older kids will play by the rules, while the younger kids just want to toss the ring and have fun.

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Pool Noodle Ring Toss

Find a spray paint friendly outdoor space. Spray the wooden dowels with your desired spray paint color and let them dry completely.

In the meantime, put the two ends of the pool noodles together and secure using your Duct Tape. Do not trim the pool noodles, as you want every ring to be the same size. Make 2-4 pool noodles to play.

Lastly, use a hammer to put your wooden dowels in the ground. Make sure they’re in a straight line with 1-2 feet between them.

Begin to play by selecting a point where every kid can stand, who is tossing their ring. Whoever is up front, it’s their turn to hold the ring to toss.