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How to make a DIY floating cooler for hot days at the pool

Maryal Miller Carter   Paste BN
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Hot summer days spent floating in the pool are made so much better when there’s a cool beverage within arm’s reach. If the idea of pausing a relaxing pool float session to step out onto that hot deck to grab an ice-cold drink irritates you, then you need a pool cooler in your life. Luckily, you can easily craft your own convenient DIY floating cooler for the pool with minimal effort to keep those cold beverages right where you want them and elevate your summer swim. Here’s how to make a DIY floating cooler for the pool with just a few simple supplies and five easy steps.

Watch the video above to learn how to make a DIY floating cooler for the pool.

DIY floating cooler

Supplies:

  • Small cooler
  • Pool noodle
  • Serrated knife
  • Rope, nylon cord, or string

Instructions:

  • Measure the length of each side of your cooler.
  • Using a serrated knife, cut four pieces of pool noodle equal to the length of each side of your cooler.
    • Alternatively, you can cut a 45-degree angle on the ends of each pool noodle piece to create a mitered joint, which will make the pool noodles fit together more snugly.
  • Thread the rope or cord through the holes in the pool noodle pieces, connecting them.
  • Fit your pool noodle pieces around the cooler, then tie the rope or cord in a tight knot to secure the pool noodles to the cooler.
  • Use an extra piece of rope or cord to tie a “net” across the bottom of your cooler, securing your cooler in place inside the net and pool noodle pieces. 
  • Fill the cooler with ice and beverages.

An alternative DIY pool cooler

Make an easy cooler out of a storage container and pool noodles

Supplies:

  • Plastic storage container
  • Pool noodle
  • Serrated knife 
  • Box cutter

Instructions:

  • Measure the length of each side of your storage container.
  • Using a serrated knife, cut four pieces of pool noodle equal to or slightly shorter than the length of each side of your container.
    • Tip: Keep in mind that if the pool noodles are too short, they will not provide enough buoyancy to keep the cooler afloat.
  • Use a box cutter to cut a slit that runs the entire length of each piece of pool noodle. Be sure to only cut through one side of the pool noodle, not both.
  • Pry open the slits and fit each piece of pool noodle around the lip of each side of your container, creating your float.
  • Note: You can also use a hot glue gun to secure the pool noodles to the container, though if your pool noodle is the right size it shouldn’t be necessary. If you do use a hot glue gun, be sure to use a low setting and to keep the glue gun moving so that you don’t burn through the foam.
  • Fill container with ice and beverages.

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