The Pool Noodle Charcuterie Board You Need While Taking A Swim Next Summer

Whenever summertime comes around, craft blogs and social media platforms are packed with clever ideas on how to make the most out of household items for warm-weather fun. The pool noodle, which in recent years has seen a massive uptick in home DIY projects, is one piece you always want to keep around. If you enjoy snacking while out at the pool, then you definitely want to have a spare noodle for a trending charcuterie board upgrade that lets you snack while you swim. By simply adding this inexpensive foam piece to the bottom of a basket or tray, you can create a floating food station that is both stylish and functional. You'll only need a charcuterie board (which can be any thrifted or store-bought item with a flat surface), a pool noodle, and a little time to combine the two!

Of all the pool noodle DIYs, this might be the most creative (and useful) for pool season. Picking your charcuterie board should be fun and can even be sustainable or eco-friendly. If you're not opposed to thrifting it, check out your local secondhand shops for oversized trays, small-wall wicker baskets, cutting boards, or even glass serving plates or oversized dishes. Keep in mind that your material needs to be light enough that the pool noodle can keep it afloat, so avoid heavy glass or wood materials.

This clever pool noodle hack is fairly easy to make, just ensure you have all your materials. It's important to note that this will be in and around water, therefore could get wet and possibly even ruined if not properly treated. Purchasing waterproofing sealant for wood, or even grabbing a plastic tarp to add to the bottom of baskets, could help protect your materials. You will need at least one full pool noodle and either zip ties or a strong adhesive to help secure it to the bottom of your charcuterie board.

If you've chosen to use a wicker or rattan basket, you can use string or zip ties to connect the foam to the underside of the basket material through the natural holes there. Depending on the size of the "board," you can either use one full pool noodle or cut it in half to add it to the bottom. For square or rectangular boards, just trim the noodle as needed and slide the zip ties through the rattan and around the foam, pulling the ties tight. For circular baskets or boards, curve the noodle to fit. You also have the option to use adhesives, and the best glue to use for all of your pool noodle hacks is super glue. This would also allow you to add a layer of plastic tarp to rattan or wicker boards to help waterproof them. Glue the plastic to the wicker, then glue your pool noodle to the plastic. For wood and glass, you can use super glue as well, just allow it to dry fully before using your board!