Step 2: Cut the Pool Noodle Into Sections
Using a sharp kitchen knife or a serrated bread knife, carefully slice through the pool noodle at each marked line. The foam cuts very easily with a sharp blade — there is no need to saw aggressively. Keep the cuts as straight and even as possible so that the finished pieces sit flat and level when placed on a surface, and so the light inside distributes evenly rather than angling to one side. If any edges feel rough after cutting, you can smooth them lightly with a piece of sandpaper.
Step 3: Decorate the Exterior (Optional)
This is the step where you can make the project genuinely your own. The plain foam surface of a pool noodle accepts paint, adhesive, and tape very readily, giving you a wide range of decoration options. Craft paint applied with a brush or sponge creates a smooth, solid color finish. Metallic spray paint in gold, silver, or copper transforms the pieces into something that looks genuinely sophisticated and deliberate. Decorative tape, washi tape, or ribbon wrapped around the exterior adds texture and pattern. You can also leave the noodle sections entirely plain — the soft color of the foam itself glows beautifully when backlit by LED light, particularly in white, yellow, or pastel shades. If you choose to decorate, allow all paint or adhesive to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Insert the LED Lights
Place an LED tea light or a small coil of battery-powered fairy lights into the hollow center channel of each pool noodle section. For tea lights, center the light carefully so that it sits level and the glow spreads as evenly as possible through the foam. For fairy lights, coil a small section into the center of each piece, leaving the battery pack accessible from one end. If the center hole is slightly too small for the tea light, use a craft knife to carefully enlarge it just enough to fit — do not force the light in, as this can compress the foam unevenly and cause the piece to sit at an angle.
Make sure every light source you use is rated as safe for foam contact and is battery-powered or solar-powered rather than connected to mains electricity. LED lights produce virtually no heat, which is what makes them safe to use inside foam materials — real candles or incandescent bulbs should never be used in this project under any circumstances.
Step 5: Apply Waterproof Sealant (Optional)
If your pool noodle luminaries will be placed outdoors in an area exposed to rain, dew, or splashing water, applying a clear waterproof sealant around the cut edges of each piece will significantly extend their lifespan and protect any painted surfaces from peeling or fading. Allow the sealant to dry completely according to the product instructions before placing the lights inside or arranging the pieces outdoors. This step is not essential for covered patios or sheltered areas, but it makes a real difference for pieces placed in open garden spaces or around the pool.
