How to Make a DIY Splash Pad in 30 Minutes

A DIY splash pad is a must for these summer holidays. It’s cheap, easy to make, and can be packed away when the weather turns cold. That’s a whole lot of fun for a surprisingly little amount of effort.

There are three different ways you can make your own splash pad, read them through and see which one is right for you.

Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Materials Needed

A tarp (whatever size you want)
A sewing machine.
Pool noddles (number of pool noodles vary depending on the size of the tarp you have)

How to Make a DIY Splash Pad

Option 1: 30-minute splash pad

This splash pad initially takes about 30 minutes to make. However, once it’s done, it’ll only take 5 minutes or less to set up.

Basically, for this splash pad, you’ll need to sew a hem around the edges of the tarp, large enough to thread the pool noodles through.

Step 1 – Fold one side of the tarp over, and sew a line from one edge down the tarp (as in the diagram below). However, ensure that you don’t sew all the way along. Leave about 12 inches or so from one edge, you’ll need to leave this corner free to complete the last step.

Step 2 – Move onto the next edge, fold and sew all the way along the edge. You don’t need to worry about leaving any part of this seam unfinished.

Step 3 – Just like in the previous step, fold and sew the next edge, all the way along.

Step 4 – Fold over and sew the final edge. But just like in step one, you’ll need to leave the last 12 inches or so open.

Step 5 – Untuck the last corner and reverse how each edge is folded. Then sew the seam along your first edge to the end.

This step can be difficult to visualise, there’s a video below that will demonstrate how to sew each edge.

Step 6 – Sew the final remaining part on your last edge. Make sure you do not go all the way to the end. Stop sewing when you reach the seam on your first edge instead.

Watch the Video

It took a while for me to figure out the best way to sew the corners. I wanted to be able to easily remove the pool noodles so that we could pack the DIY splash pad away.

The easiest way for me to show you what I did is in the video below. I used a piece of paper to symbolize the tarp, and washi tape to show you where to sew the seam.

At the end of the video, you’ll also see me inserting pencils into each seam. I did this to show you how I insert the pool noodles. This may not be the best method out there, but it worked wonderfully well for me.

Option 2: No-Sew Splash Pad

If you don’t want to sew anything, you absolutely can. Instead you’re going to need some camping pegs and a hammer.

Step 1 – Lay your tarp out flat on the grass.

Step 2 – Arrange the pool noodles around the edge (and underneath) of the tarp.

Step 3 – Use the pegs to hammer the tarp into the grass.

Although this version of the splash pad doesn’t require a sewing machine, it does mean that you will need to set it up, from scratch, every time you want to use it.

Option 3: A mix of the two

This 3rd option is a mix of the other two. You’ll create a hem, just as in the 30-minute splash pad. However, you won’t need a sewing machine.

Instead you’ll use a strong glue, instead of thread, to create the hem. I haven’t tried this method myself. However, it’s amazing what a little super glue can do.

Follow the instructions from the 30-minute splash pad to give this method a try.

The End Result

The end result of this simple DIY project: my kids LOVED it.

My son was running through the water like crazy for ages. Splashing, jumping off the balance beam into the water, and going down our little foldable slide.

There are so many more ways to play with a splash pad too. Next, I’m going to take him fishing using our magnetic fishing game. Or maybe put the balance beam over the water so that he can ‘walk the plank’ like a pirate.

With this DIY splash pad, this summer is going to be great.

Rainy Day Update

The next time it rains, take your splash pad and throw it over an outdoor table or set of chairs. When the rain hits the tarp it makes a wonderful sound that the kids will love listening to.