- Pool noodles in your choice of colors (one noodle will yield several luminaries)
- LED tea lights or battery-powered fairy lights — never use real candles, as pool noodle foam is flammable
- A sharp kitchen knife or serrated bread knife for cutting
- A ruler and marker for measuring and marking cut lines
- Optional: craft paint, decorative tape, or metallic spray paint for decorating the exterior
- Optional: clear waterproof sealant for extended outdoor durability
- Optional: sandpaper or a craft knife for smoothing cut edges or enlarging the center hole
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Decide on Your Sizes and Mark Your Cuts
Before making any cuts, think about how you want your luminaries to look in the finished display. Most people find that sections between 4 and 6 inches in height produce the most visually satisfying results — tall enough to contain the light effectively and create a pleasing glow, but compact enough to arrange in groups without overwhelming the space. You can also cut some pieces shorter and some taller to create a varied, layered display that looks more dynamic and intentional than a uniform row of identical pieces.
Use your ruler to measure and mark the desired height on the pool noodle with a marker. Work along the full length of the noodle, spacing your marks evenly to minimize waste. If you want a mixed-height display, vary the measurements intentionally as you go.
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.
