How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!


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How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!  Learn how easy it is to make a cute little pocket size magnetic fishing set to keep small ones entertained. This little magnetic fishing set is easy to carry in a purse, bag or backpack for instant entertainment on the go. Make darling felt fish with magnetic washers inside to easily catch with a magnet fishing pole in 30 minutes.  **UPDATE from 2013: Pocket Sized Magnetic Fishing Set in Altoids tin!**

How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!


Learn how easy it is to make a cute little pocket size magnetic fishing set to keep small ones entertained. This little magnetic fishing set is easy to carry in a purse, bag or backpack for instant entertainment on the go.


Make darling felt fish with magnetic washers inside to easily catch with a magnet fishing pole in 30 minutes.



**UPDATE from 2013: Pocket Sized Magnetic Fishing Set in Altoids tin!**


How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!  Learn how easy it is to make a cute little pocket size magnetic fishing set to keep small ones entertained. This little magnetic fishing set is easy to carry in a purse, bag or backpack for instant entertainment on the go. Make darling felt fish with magnetic washers inside to easily catch with a magnet fishing pole in 30 minutes.  **UPDATE from 2013: Pocket Sized Magnetic Fishing Set in Altoids tin!**

This adorable magnetic fishing set was a post I did in 2013--ten years ago!


These landed a top 20 spot in the CRAFTS/DIY Category on Pinterest in 2013 too! Check out my pinterest board!


Back in those days I had little kids. My oldest was only 10, my daughter 8 and my baby was 4. These little fishing kits were a hit with them. They are great for fine motor skills for young children and great for older kids too. It's a fun way to work on hand-eye coordination.


The best part? I still have this Altoids tin fishing set and I still use it regularly. I bring it to church to entertain other kids, use it in tangible teaching lessons and actually use it myself for relaxation and nostalgia.


I made each of my children their own set of magnetic fish and one for myself. They are easy and fast to make--so make a bunch of them to keep, sell and gift!

This adorable magnetic fishing set was a post I did in 2013--ten years ago!  These landed a top 20 spot in the CRAFTS/DIY Catagory on Pinterest in 2013 too!   Back in those days I had little kids. My oldest was only 10, my daughter 8 and my baby was 4. These little fishing kits were a hit with them.   The best part? I still have this Altoids tin fishing set and I still use it. I bring it to church to entertain other kids, use it in tangible teaching lessons and actually use it myself for relaxation and nostalgia.

These darling fish deserved a post refresh so a new set of young mothers, kids, and new grandmas can see them and make them for their loved ones, teaching aids and busy bags.


A magnetic fishing set makes a great handmade gift too! (make them for birthdays all year long...or save this post for the holiday season!)


These darling fish deserved a post refresh so a new set of young mothers, kids, and new grandmas can see them and make them for their loved ones, teaching aids and busy bags.   A magnetic fishing set makes a great handmade gift too! (make them for birthdays all year long...or save this post for the holiday season!)

Ask kids to fish for their favorite color.


Ask child a question and then have them fish before they tell you their answer.


There are so many applications for using these little fish. 


Ask kids to fish for their favorite color.   Ask child a question and then have them fish before they tell you their answer.   There are so many applications for using these little fish.

Okay, let's get started making this magnetic fish game!

Supplies needed for Magnetic Fishing Set:


Okay, let's get started making this magnetic fishing set!  Supplies needed for Magnetic Fishing Set: Wooden dowel Magnet with a hole in the center...or 2 magnets the same size Colorful felt Washers or magnetic metal discs Hot glue/gun Twine or string Scissors Tin for Storage

Step 1: Washers


Start by making sure your metal washers are magnetic! Use a strong magnet to test the washers.


I had a big bag of washers that weren't...so check first.


I also had these little metal discs, they are the perfect size for "goldfish cracker" sized felt fish.


Anything flat and magnetic will work...but not too heavy.


Step 1: Washers  Make sure your metal washers are magnetic!   I had a big bag of washers that weren't...so check first.   I also had these little metal discs.     Anything flat and magnetic will work...but not too heavy.

Step 2: Felt Fish


Begin by cutting 2 fish shapes out of felt. These fish are about an inch long, or close to the size of a goldfish cracker.


You can draw out a fish template on a piece of paper with a fish shape or two and use it to cut out lots of fish outlines from favorite fabrics.


Felt or fleece work best because they don't fray.


Cut out 2 identical pieces of each color of felt and make a number of fish, so the altoid tin is full of much fun.


Reuse the fish pattern or make a bunch of different small animals.


Step 2: Felt Fish  Begin by cutting 2 fish shapes out of felt. These fish are about an inch long, or close to the size of a goldfish cracker.

Next, hot glue a washer or metal disc or 2 onto one of the felt fishes.


You can use tacky glue or a hot glue gun, just add a dab of glue and press the washer on to the glue.


This will help contain any small parts to keep them safe for kids and motor skill development.


Then add hot glue to the top of the washers, around the edge of the felt.


Next, hot glue a washer or metal disc or 2 onto one of the felt fishes.   Then add hot glue to the top of the washers, around the edge of the felt.

Then sandwich the washers with the second felt fish and press down firmly. 


Be cautious as some of the hot glue may squish out the back side. 


This ensures that the metal discs are sealed inside the felt fish.


Then sandwich the washers with the second felt fish and press down firmly.    Be cautious as some of the hot glue may squish out the sides.    This ensures that the metal discs are sealed inside the felt fish.

Let the hot glue cool completely, trim off any excess hot glue, as desired.


Then test out the fish with the magnet and make sure it sticks!


No need to sew it with a sewing machine or hand stitch the edges...this makes them easy to replace as they wear out.


Let the hot glue cool completely, trim off any excess hot glue, as desired.   Then test out the fish with the magnet and make sure it sticks!

If you are making larger fish, add several metal pieces for an easy catch...or just add one for the perfect "one that got away fish tale" fish.


There's not really a "perfect size" of fish pattern, so decide how big you want the fish.


After the fish are made, you can decorate them with puffy paint, googly eyes or permanent marker!


If you are making larger fish, add several metal pieces for an easy catch...or just add one for the perfect "one that got away fish tale" fish.

Step 3: Fishing Rod


Next step, now it's time to make the magnetic fishing pole.


Cut a wooden dowel (or a stick from the yard) to the size of your storage tin. Altoids tins are small, so the dowel is very small too. Larger storage can mean a bigger fishing pole. 


Step 3: Fishing Rod  Now it's time to make the fishing rod.   Cut a wooden dowel (or a stick from the yard) to the size of your storage tin. Altoids tins are small, so the dowel is very small too. Larger storage can mean a bigger fishing pole.

Tie and hot glue twine onto the end of the dowel rod. Hot gluing it firmly in place is ideal for small children. (you could use an unsharpened pencil for the magnetic fishing rod too)


Then tie the donut magnet on the end of the string. The twine (or piece of string) can be as long as you want, anywhere from 6-12 inches for a small Altoids tin.


**NOTE: I keep the string short so that kids stay focused on fishing and not swinging the rod around.


Tie and hot glue twine onto the end of the dowel. Hot gluing it firmly in place is ideal for small children.   Then tie the donut magnet on the end of the twine. The twine can be as long as you want, anywhere from 6-12 inches for a small Altoids tin.

Disc magnets with a center hole are awesome, but in a pinch, you can use 2 magnets and glue them together with the string between them.


Don't drill a small hole in a magnet with a power drill, it will make the magnet lose it's magnetic ability.


Disc magnets with a center hole are awesome, but in a pinch, you can use 2 magnets and glue them together with the string between them.

We made 12 fish for each set...each different colors...great for teaching colors to small children.


You could get fancy and embroider the fish...add patterns, names and more. You could enhance them with some iron-on vinyl too!


The felt is a good thing that works great because it is tightly woven so it doesn't stretch when kids pull the fish away from the magnet. 


We made 12 fish for each set...each different colors.   You could get fancy and embroider the fish...add patterns, names and more. You could enhance them with some iron-on vinyl too!   The felt works great because it is tightly woven so it doesn't stretch when kids pull the fish away from the magnet.

Then put them in a bag, pouch, box or tin. I love how this little mint container holds the most fish fantasy game! It's great to throw in a purse or church bag with those small coins.


The tin is fun, because the magnet will stick right inside too! These fishing kits are great ideas for baby shower gifts or birthday party presents.


Then put them in a bag, pouch, box or tin.   The tin is fun, because the magnet will stick right inside too!

Perfect for busy little hands to play with! Great for a sensory bin or putting in a kiddie pool for some fun outdoor fishing.


These fish have saved us in waiting rooms, meetings, quiet places, church and many other places. 


Perfect for busy little hands to play with!   These fish have saved us in waiting rooms, meetings, quiet places, church and many other places.

That's it!


Make a magnetic fishing set for a handmade gift, activity for children, or a great way to practice real fishing.


Let me know if you've given this easy diy magnetic fishing game a try since I posted it 10 years ago!



Like, Pin and Share!


How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!  Learn how easy it is to make a cute little pocket size magnetic fishing set to keep small ones entertained. This little magnetic fishing set is easy to carry in a purse, bag or backpack for instant entertainment on the go. Make darling felt fish with magnetic washers inside to easily catch with a magnet fishing pole in 30 minutes.  **UPDATE from 2013: Pocket Sized Magnetic Fishing Set in Altoids tin!**



Check out these posts too!



Sea Creature Fishing Set!


Get fancy using felt and puffy dimensional paint--make all the sea creatures you can think of!


Shark Attack Fishing Set!


Perfect for shark week, make a bunch of sharks to catch and learn about!






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postscript

Comments

The Boys Rule said…
Nat, you are so awesome! I love this one. Miss you guys.
Sharon said…
This is so clever! I will have to make some of these with my kids.
So cute! I'll have to make this for our next roadtrip!

www.1dogwoof.com
Anonymous said…
So fun and cute! Kids always love a fishing game :).
What a fun idea!! I think my youngest son would love this!
I love this idea! And I agree - homemade gifts are awesome! They mean so much more because they usually involve extra time & thought.

Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

PS-Happy New Year to one of my favorite blog friends!
I love this idea! And I agree - homemade gifts are awesome! They mean so much more because they usually involve extra time & thought.

Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

PS-Happy New Year to one of my favorite blog friends!
Love this idea! Just posted on Craft Gossip, thanks for sharing:)
Cindy deRosier said…
I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your adorable fishing kit! You can see it here:

http://funfamilycrafts.com/pocket-sized-magnetic-fishing-kit/

If you have other kid friendly crafts, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!
Unknown said…
How adorable is this!!! I have the perfect little plastic box this would go great in. Thanks for the idea and tutorial!
BlessedMommy said…
WHERE can I find a small magnet with a hole in it? Google is not helping me, LOL
MyGoogPics said…
I copied and pasted your directions to my blog as I don't have time to print screen and photography my own (I think labor is starting!).
I made sure that you were acknowledged and linked all over the place. If this is an issue, please leave a message on my board and will remove as soon as I am back home and physically able to. Please be patient!

http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/magnetic-felt-fishing-game-for-pre-k-colors-counting-physical-activity-tactile-and-fun/
Lindsey said…
Very fun! I love homemade Christmas gifts as well. Hoping to make this soon for our Ocean unit!
Anonymous said…
Pinned this! Its such an adorable idea! My daughter would love it!
~Kelsy
http://looseendscraftblog.com
Anonymous said…
Oh my god! Never in my dreams I could imagine a cutest version of a fish! I really love your creation! Congrats form Madrid
LEENA7 said…
These are adorable..going to make a few with numbers to help kids who are learning to count. Love your ideas, and you are so sweet to share
Unknown said…
Totally awesome i am really so inspired here keep continue sharing thanks.



Gifts Magnetic
debbie said…
I saw your mini fishing kit idea on pinterest. What a great idea. I am a reading specialist and there are so many ways to tweak this for my struggling readers. The mini aspect to this activity is exciting. I am looking forward to making many! Now on to exploring your blog to find out what other wonderful ideas you have. And by the way, I love making gifts. The holidays are over and I am now starting on ideas for next year. Thanks again!
Laura said…
I made these for my little kids a few years ago and they loved them! Now that I have a grandbaby I'll have to make a set for her!