Have you ever taken your kids to a pool or water park? My boys love it when we go anywhere with water. They have an amazing time and don’t ever want to leave. All good things must come to an end, though. And when it’s time to go, I help wrap towels around their little bodies and we walk to the car. About thirty seconds later, the towels fall down or off and I get stuck with them.
I needed a towel that would stay put and still do its job. A towel poncho. Brilliant, am I right? I can’t take full credit for this. I saw something similar when I walked past a little shop at a water park. I knew I could make my own (and save quite a bit of money by doing so).
I bought the towel at Kohl’s for $5.99. The bias tape ($3.99) and Fabric Fusion ($7.99) came from a Joann Fabric & Crafts store. I used coupons on every item purchased.
What You’ll Need:
- Scissors
- Towel
- Bias Tape
- Fabric Fusion*
- Tape measure
- Cardboard or wax paper
How To Make a No-Sew Towel Poncho:
- If the towel is new, wash and dry it.
- Fold it ‘hamburger style’. Make sure it’s even.
- Measure the fold from one side to the other. Make a small slit in the very center.
- Enlarge the slit by measuring 5-6 inches down the middle of the towel and cut.
- Cut two pieces of bias tape the same length as your slit.
- Wrap the bias tape around the right side of the slit. Using the Fabric Fusion, glue down one side of the tape. Once that side is dry, glue the other side. Then move to the left side of the slit and repeat.
- Let everything dry for 24-48 hours.
- Use & enjoy!
Note: You could sew the bias tape down (it would be a lot smoother and look prettier!).
You could make the towel poncho in any color combination – which is great so that it can be customized to fit each child’s personality!
Initially, James and Colin weren’t convinced that the towel poncho was a good idea. I quickly proved them wrong! And, bonus? I didn’t have to carry the towels back to the car!
Will you make a towel poncho?
*There may be affiliate links in this post.
Even a no-crafty gal like myself can make this!
What a cool idea, Sara! I’ve seen these around water parks but, you’re right, they get pricey. I love that you figured out how to make them yourself. The color combos are endless too!
I am so not handy like that,but I could totally do this!
This is so adorable and such a good idea on those days at the water parks!
Wow, that’s neat and no sewing! You are good.
What a neat idea. 🙂
This is pretty awesome and will be great to have some by the pool! I love how simple this is.
What a cute and clever idea! 🙂
How clever! This would be great for my son.
You ARE brilliant. I’ll take 2 please LOL
You buy the towels and the pre-paid label! 😉
A great idea for pool season. Thank you for sharing!!!
Great poncho. No sew projects are my kind of projects!
OMGosh, I could even do this! I’m going to share this with my daughter because it’s so useful for other stuff too, especially when you have toddlers. My granddaughter is always painting for playing in something messy and my daughter could use these to help keep Kennedy a little cleaner! These would be great for right after bath too – just pop it right over the little one’s heads!
OH! I love the idea of using it for paint and messy craft projects! It would make a great ‘apron’ for littles, too!
Wow! How awesome is this! LOVE it!
What a great idea for a day at the pool or water park! I admit that I have zero sewing ability so I love that this is no-sew.
i’m cracking up, what is hamburger style? I hate sewing, i can make this
More square than rectangle. You’ve never heard that?!
That’s so brilliant for water play. I totally remember my kids’ teeth chattering as they were drying off. Love that covers the shoulders which makes a big difference!
You are one smart Mama. I wonder if I would be able to get Hubs to sport one!
Why not!? Just don’t make his in pink! 😉
Cute idea! Yes, my son has a hard time keeping the towel wrapped around him. This would be a great improvement.
I’ve seen this craft on pinterest but yours looks even easier. I want to do one for each kid with a hoodie attached to it. Thanks for the how-to guide. 😉
What a cute idea!!! This would be nice at the beach and the water park! I’m going to have to make these for this summer. 🙂
LOVE THIS! As someone who cannot sew, this is perfect! My kiddo would LOVE this for the pool. Those towel ponchos and hooded towels are SO expensive, it’s silly!
This is awesome! What a genius idea.
What a great idea for going out to the beach or pool. No more carrying your towel and dropping it. You wear it! Thanks for sharing!
This would be great for when the kids want to have play time!
Sara- this is seriously clever! I pinned to some DIY boards!
Thank you! (And I have to say, I don’t know if I’ll ever give my kids a regular towel again!)
Awesome, you had me at “no sew” I’m all for crafting and making things for my kids but I really don’t sew. What an easy and great tutorial!
I totally love this idea a lot! This would be perfect to use with my three kids at the water park and beach. Thank you so much for this awesome way to help them keep up with their towels with a bit more ease.