Let’s make custom lightsabers out of pool noodles. Star Wars fans of all ages can make their own lightsaber with just a little help and they are the perfect summer toy both in the pool, running through sprinklers or playing in the magnetic field of your backyard. As a mom of three boys, I like that these DIY pool noodle lightsabers are flexible and not rigid plastic toys that cause a lot of injury during play.
DIY Pool Noodle LightSaber
If you have leftover (and well-used) pool noodles lying around, transforming them into new sabers is the perfect craft! Grab the kids because we are making DIY pool noodle lightsabers which are way more fun than video games.
My family loves the Star Wars universe. We regularly have Star Wars marathons and of course we love the Mandalorian. So this pool noodle lightsaber is perfect for everyone in the family to make their own light saber in different colors. Your little Star Wars fans will battle each other in a safe and fun way.
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Single Lightsaber Blade or Double-bladed Lightsabers
The first lightsaber I made was a standard lightsaber, a single-bladed lightsaber. However, one of the boys we had over to play made a request for a double lightsaber just like Darth Maul! Fun fact, did you know the double sided lightsaber was created by the Sith? Kind of makes sense if you think about it.
Below you will find instructions for both lightsaber blade designs for kids to make custom sabers.
How to Make a Light Saber Out of a Pool Noodle
If you wanna go full nerd, let your child pick their own colors (they all have meaning – see explanation below) and make their own original lightsabers like the Jedi’s and Sith’s often did, minus the Kyber crystals (lightsaber crystal).
Supplies Needed to Make Pool Noodle Lightsabers
Directions for Single Blade Pool Noodle Light Saber Craft
Watch the Quick Video Tutorial on How to Make a Light Saber
Step 1
Using a serrated knife, cut your pool noodles to length. I made my lightsabers 33″ long.
Step 2
Wrap one end of your pool noodle with duct tape, one strip at a time. Add a strip, cut and then slightly layer the next strip over the last. Continue this process with six strips of duct tape.
Step 3
Add the black electrical tape strips. You will make 3 strips of black tape. My strips were about an inch apart. This does not have to be exact.
Step 4
Add two short pieces of electrical tape toward the base of the swim noodle. These were about 1 3/4″ in length and vertical to add to the hilt style.
How To Make A Double Sided Lightsaber With Pool Noodles
Step 1
DO NOT cut the pool noodle – you will need the full pool noodle length for a double blade design.
Step 2
Wrap duct tape, one strip at a time, around the center of the pool noodle. I used seven strips of duct tape, layering each one slightly over the next.
Step 3
Wrap the black electrical tape on top of the duct tape. Do one strip of electrical tape at each end of the duct tape. The two strips in the middle are double wide.
How to Make Your Iconic Lightsabers Glow
My husband figured out how to make it a DIY lightsaber that really lights up. Who needs a Kyber crystal (lightsaber crystal) when you have a flashlight! If you take your pool noodle and find a flashlight that fits tightly into the center of the pool noodle, you take your lightsaber to an epic level.
We were able to stick a small flashlight into the bottom, and it wedged in perfectly for our glowing energy blade.
What We Learned About Light Up Lightsaber Safety
I have to give a mom warning. You might want to put duct tape over the holes if your kids will be using them for battles.
I would hate a kid to get injured by a flying flashlight. While ours wedged in tightly, and I had little concern, I need to recommend taking necessary precautions to make it safe for kids to use even though it isn’t a real laser sword, we don’t want injuries!
Materials
- Pool Noodles
- Duct Tape
- Black Electrical Tape
- Serrated Knife
- Cutting Board
Instructions
- Using a serrated knife, cut your pool noodles to length. I made my lightsabers 33″ long.
- Wrap one end of your pool noodle with duct tape, one strip at a time. Add a strip, cut and then slightly layer the next strip over the last. Continue this process with six strips of duct tape.
- Add the black electrical tape strips. You will make 3 strips of black tape. My strips were about an inch apart. This does not have to be exact.
- Add two short pieces of electrical tape toward the base of the swim noodle. These were about 1 3/4″ in length.
- For A double sided lightsaber: DO NOT cut the pool noodle.
- Wrap duct tape, one strip at a time, around the center of the pool noodle. I used seven strips of duct tape, layering each one slightly over the next.
- Wrap the black electrical tape on top of the duct tape. Do one strip of electrical tape at each end of the duct tape. The two strips in the middle are double wide.
Notes
My husband figured out how to make it a DIY lightsaber that really lights up. Who needs a Kyber crystal (lightsaber crystal) when you have a flashlight! If you take your pool noodle and find a flashlight that fits tightly into the center of the pool noodle, you take your lightsaber to an epic level.
We were able to stick a small flashlight into the bottom, and it wedged in perfectly. I have to give a mom warning. You might want to put duct tape over the holes if your kids will be using them for battles.
I would hate a kid to get injured by a flying flashlight. While ours wedged in tightly, and I had little concern, I need to recommend taking necessary precautions to make it safe for kids to use.
What Lightsaber Colors Mean
Earlier I mentioned something about Lightsaber colors and while it may not be a big deal to small kids, bigger kids may be interested the different Kyber crystal (different colored pool noodle lightsaber) meaning. Knowing about the colors will help promote some pretend play and imagination!
Lightsaber Colors for Jedi’s
- Blue lightsabers are used by Jedi Guardians.
- Green lightsabers are used by Jedi Consulars.
- Yellow lightsabers were used by Jedi Sentinels.
Lightsaber Colors for Sith’s
- Generally red lightsabers are used for Sith, though there are no rules, you can choose whatever you want.
- Orange lightsabers are also rumored to be used by the Sith as well.
- The black lightsaber was used by Darth Maul later.
Other Notable Lightsaber Colors
- Yellow lightsabers are used generally by those who struggled but became better people.
- Purple lightsabers were generally used by powerful people with powerful personalities. Some examples would be:
- White lightsabers were used by Imperial Knights.
- Kylo Ren’s blue blade became his red lightsaber later in the story.
Our Experience Making Pool Noodle Lightsabers
These pool noodles are easy and quick to make and were the bet lightsabers to keep the kids entertained forever. Since we made the fictional weapons, they are the go-to toy to play with outside and practice their fighting style. They have been played with both in and out of the water, and they have held up perfectly through many epic battles.
The kids will need to add their own sound effects, but that has been part of the fun!
More Star Wars Activities from Kids Activities Blog
It’s time to go out and grab those pool noodles to create your own lightsabers. These toys will spark your children’s imagination and take them to a whole new world.
What different colors did you make your lightsabers? How did you customize this easy lightsaber craft?
