Make this adorable shark craft out of dollar store pool noodles for Shark week – or any time of the year! Find more pool noodle crafts or scroll down for the instructions to make this one. Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.

Shark Week is HERE, so let’s get everyone excited for this epic annual event with a cute interpretation created from Dollar Store Pool Noodles! Follow the step by step directions below to encourage motor skills, marine terminology and creative play.

If you want to print the instructions, you’ll find a handy “recipe card” at the end of this post. Just hit “print” and it’s yours to keep! Or, scroll through for a detailed supply list and in-process photos.

And if you don’t have a dollar store near you? Find pool noodles at any discount store in the summer – they most likely have them at a good price.

You can even get them from Amazon – just not for a dollar. Still, they are an affordable, versatile craft material.

Make one shark or a cluster (better known as a gam, herd, frenzy, school or shiver of sharks) use them as shark party centerpieces or as DIY toys, or just make them for fun and display them on a dresser.

Some of my favorite ways to use this pool noodle shark craft:

Party centerpieces on individual tables.
You can cut a slit in the top to insert table numbers
A cluster in the center of a buffet or sweet table
Any sea or shark themed party
As a toy for shark week
As a toy just for fun
As a weekend boredom buster

Pool noodles are easily cut using a serrated knife. They typically have a hollow core, which actually makes them more versatile but can come as a surprise if you didn’t realize it.

Make this using a low temp glue gun – not an industrial, high heat one. Pool noodles are basically plastic so hot glue will melt it. They did tolerate a low temp glue gun.

The teeth are made from painted cardboard (a single layer – not corrugated). If you want to simplify and you have it handy, you can simply use white card stock.

What you need to make your pool noodle shark craft:

Disclaimer: This tutorial uses a serrated kitchen knife and a glue gun. This is not appropriate for young children. Please use discretion and care when deciding if this is appropriate for your older child. Please use care when creating this project even if you’re a grown-up. Moms & Crafters can not take responsibility for any injuries incurred.

Blue pool noodle
Googly eyes
Scrap of cardboard OR white card stock
White craft acrylic (if using cardboard)
Low or dual temp glue gun and glue sticks
Paint Brush (if using cardboard)
Scissors
Serrated kitchen knife
Ruler
Pencil

How to make a pool noodle shark craft:

1. Cut the pool noodles into 6” and 4” sections with serrated kitchen knife to create the shark bodies. You’ll get 8-12 shark crafts out of a single 48″ pool noodle.

2. Cut the top off at an angle. Save the triangular piece that was cut off to use as the dorsal fin later.

3. Make a horizontal cut approximately 2/3 of the way through the noodle, and about halfway down from the angled top. This will be the bottom of the shark’s mouth.

4. Make a diagonal cut that mimics the top cut. This will be the top of the shark’s mouth.

5. Cut off a 1” wide by 2” long sliver from the back of the shark body to flatten it somewhat.

6. Using scissors, cut the very thin part from the dorsal fin that you cut off in step 2.

7. Attach the dorsal fin to the back of the shark body with your glue gun. Do this so the wide part sits on top and the open end on bottom. Hold it in place until the glue sets.

8. Attach your googly eyes to each side of the shark head, just above the jaw, using your glue gun.

9. If you’re using cardboard and not white card stock, paint a scrap piece with white acrylic craft paint on both sides. Let it dry completely.

10. Measure and cut 1” strips of cardboard. Then cut the strips into ½” rectangles. Cut all four corners off each rectangle creating diamond shapes. These will become the shark’s teeth.

11. Insert the shark’s teeth into the top and bottom of the shark’s mouth. Use the tip of an open pair of scissors to make a slit in the pool noodle foam if you need a little extra help. Your shark craft is complete!

What are you making this pool noodle shark craft for? Comment below!

8-12

Pool Noodle Sharks

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Estimated Cost: $3

Make these cool pool noodle sharks for shark week, a beach themed party, or anything where sharks rock your world. Note: this tutorial uses a serrated kitchen knife and a glue gun. This is not appropriate for young children. Please use discretion and care when deciding if this is appropriate for your older child. Please use care when creating this project even if you're a grown-up. Moms & Crafters can not take responsibility for any injuries incurred.

Materials

Blue pool noodle
Googly eyes
Scrap of cardboard OR white card stock
White craft acrylic (if using cardboard)
Low or dual temp glue gun and glue sticks
Paint Brush (if using cardboard)
Scissors
Serrated kitchen knife
Ruler
Pencil

Instructions

Cut the pool noodles into 6” and 4” sections with serrated kitchen knife to create the shark bodies.
Cut the top off at an angle. Save the triangular piece that was cut off to use as the dorsal fin later.
Make a horizontal cut approximately 2/3 of the way through the noodle. This will be the bottom of the shark’s mouth.
Make a diagonal cut that mimics the top cut. This will be the top of the shark’s mouth.
Cut off a 1” wide by 2” long sliver from the back of the shark body.
Using scissors, cut the narrow base from the dorsal fin.
Attach the dorsal fin to the back of the shark body with glue gun. Hold it in place until the glue sets.
Attach your googly eyes to each side of the shark head, just above the jaw, using your glue gun.
If using cardboard and not white card stock, paint a scrap piece with white acrylic craft paint on both sides. Let it dry completely.
Measure and cut 1” strips of cardboard. Then cut the strips into ½” rectangles. Cut all four corners off each rectangle creating diamond shapes. These will become the shark’s teeth.
Insert the shark’s teeth into the top and bottom of the shark’s mouth. Use the tip of an open pair of scissors to make a slit in the pool noodle foam if you need a little extra help.

Notes

This tutorial uses a serrated kitchen knife and a glue gun. This is not appropriate for young children. Please use discretion and care when deciding if this is appropriate for your older child. Please use care when creating this project even if you're a grown-up. Moms & Crafters can not take responsibility for any injuries incurred.