DIY Fishing Game

This DIY fishing game is so fun and simple to make but even more fun to play! And if you read to the end you will find all kinds of ways to play this game and turn it into whatever you want it to be…a way to practice social skills, a competition or a learning tool. I would love to see what you do with your fishing game too! Comment below…

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, I will only ever mention products that I think are awesome and you will love. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Get the Step-by-Step Project Flashcards for this Craft!

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• Variety of washi tape (or markers/crayons if you don’t have any on hand)
• Paper plates (9-inch coated)
• Large popsicle stick
• White yarn
• Pipe cleaners (any color)
• Scissors
• Black Sharpie marker (or pencil)
• Optional: Blue construction paper
• Optional: Blue marker

As always, this craft has been created using only items that are on the MASTER LIST of supplies that we use for all crafts here at “In the Bag Kids’ Crafts”. More than half of the items on that list (which are only enough items that fit into one bag) I promise you already have in your home right now, and the rest are very basic and inexpensive. Fill your bag using the list, and you will be prepped and ready to craft at any time! What a time saver! With this approach you will be able to craft with your kids till the cows come home (is that just something that we say in rural PA or does everyone have that saying?) This craft uses one of my absolute favorite things in my craft bag…washi tape!

Save this for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

Step 1: Prep

• Cut your paper plates in half. Each fish requires a half a plate. So, you will cut as many as you want for the number of fish that you desire. (I made about 10 fish).
• Choose a washi tape and roughly cover the center each side of a side of the plate using the same tape.
• Pick another design of washi tape and repeat this process until you have “colored” each half plate with your tape.

*A couple of reasons why I am using washi tape here rather than patterned paper…1. it is what I have in my bag (no need to do more shopping) 2. I simply love washi tape and all of the patterns that it comes in! 3. Placing the washi tape is a great way for children to practice fine motor skills and bilateral coordination 4. The paper plate with the washi tape has a nice weight and strength to it for this project.

Step 2: Cut out the Fish

• Draw a basic fish shape on another paper plate and cut it out. It should be a size that will comfortably fit onto a half plate in the middle where you have covered it in washi tape. But also don’t make it too small.
• Here is a little template if you would like to just print and trace…

• Cut out each of your fish.

Step 3: Prep for fishing

• First, use the hole punch to put a hole in the front (near his nose) of one of your fish.
• Then, cut a pipe cleaner in half and thread it through the hole. Twist the ends together to form a circle.
• Repeat this process for each fish.

Step 3: Make the Pole

• Cut about a yard length of white yarn.
• Tie one end of the yarn to middle of a large popsicle stick.
• Then, take a half of a pipe cleaner and form a hook, tying it to the other end of the yarn.

*You may be wondering why we would put the string in the middle of the stick rather than at the end. Well, there is always a method to my madness. First of all, it gives the child the feeling of reeling in the fish rather than just pulling it up. And this reeling motion is great for working on wrist strength and overall motor coordination. You know how much I like to work practical skills into crafting.

*If your yarn is smooth and silky, you may want to place a drop of Elmer’s glue on each knot and let it dry to secure it in place.

Step 4: Go Fishing

• Now that you have made your fishing set, find some friends and go fishing.
• You can place the fish in a bowl or just on the floor. If you would like to make a “pond” for your fish, cut a wavy shape around the outside of a piece of blue construction paper, draw on a couple of blue waves, and there you have it!

Now that you have made such a great craft, here are some ideas for playing with your fishing set

• Fish together with a friend and race to see who can catch a fish first
• Practice turn taking. You can even set a timer and go back and forth.
• Make the different colors worth various point values and see who wins the most points after fishing for five minutes
• Place vowels on the fish and fit them into sight words after they are caught. Say the words out loud to practice your spelling and reading skills.
• Draw numbers on the fish and fit them into math problems to solve when they are caught.
• Learn name writing by writing a number of your child’s name on each fish. Once they are all caught, try putting them in the correct order to form the name.

Save this DIY fishing game for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…