How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Set!

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 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 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!

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. 

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

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.

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 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!

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

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. 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.

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.

The tin is fun, because the magnet will stick right inside too!

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 or a bunch of them!

Let me know if you've given this craft a try since I posted it 10 years ago!

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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!