Fishing games you often see at daycare and kindergarten summer festivals or pretend fairs.
There’s an addictive kind of fun in staring intently at the fish you’re aiming for, moving the rod with focus, and feeling that rush of accomplishment when the fish catches!
How about making a handmade version of that beloved fishing game for kids?
This time, we’re introducing ideas for fishing games you can make using a variety of materials.
From fish that float in water like the real thing to ones that hop and bounce—there are tons of fun ideas that spark kids’ curiosity!
They’re all easy to make with familiar recycled materials like cardboard, paper cups, and plastic bottles, or items from the dollar store, so gather everyone and make them together—then enjoy your fishing game to the fullest!
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Easy DIY Fishing Game! Craft Ideas Useful for Childcare (1–10)
A rollable fishing rod made from cardboard
How about customizing some cardboard you have at home to make a real fishing rod for playing at fishing? In addition to cardboard, prepare scissors, a hot glue gun, string, and a ruler.
First, cut out two circles from the cardboard.
Then cut a strip of cardboard about three fingers wide, peel it if needed, roll it up, and make a cylinder.
Poke a hole in the center of the round pieces, attach a toothpick, and glue on the cylinder.
Attach the part you’ll pinch with your fingers, thread the string through the inside, and your reel is ready.
Connect the reel to the rod made by folding cardboard into a triangle, and your fishing rod is complete! The craft is on the difficult side, so please make it together with a teacher or a parent/guardian.
Fishing with origami
This is a game where you handcraft fish and fishing rods out of origami and play with them.
All you need is some colorful origami paper to easily make your fishing gear.
Cut the origami into quarters, then fold each piece into a triangle twice.
Next, cut along the ridge of the triangle with scissors.
This step can be tricky, so teachers or parents should help.
Fold back the cut section, attach an eye, and draw patterns to complete the fish.
It’s also fun to prepare colorful paper and choose a theme like tropical fish.
For the fishing rod, the trick is to leave a small white edge visible when you fold the paper in half.
Roll it up, tape it, then bend the tip to finish.
Lay down blue or light blue construction paper to look like water, and enjoy imagining the fish swimming!
Looks cool and refreshing! Fish made with capsules
Why not try making translucent fish using toy capsules? First, attach a paper clip to the capsule you’ve prepared.
Be careful to keep it flat against the cup.
Roll up a piece of colored film, place it in the cup, close the lid, then decorate with tape or construction paper to finish your fish! If you’re using a toilet paper roll, attach a paper clip and cut a slit from the opposite side.
Curl the slit by wrapping it around a pen, add color, and you’re done.
You can easily make a fishing rod by connecting a backing sheet, string (kite string), and a magnet, then attaching them to a pair of chopsticks.
Reel in cute fish like goldfish and octopuses, and have fun playing!
Fishing game with jumping fish
A fishing game where you reel in fish without waking the sleeping ones.
Use milk cartons, rubber bands, and paper clips to create fish that move! Draw three fish on a cut milk carton, then attach an origami-made hook and line.
Glue a sleeping fish illustration on the front and a back-to-back illustration on the reverse, then fold the milk carton down the middle.
Make four slits 1 cm in from the edges, hook on rubber bands, and add paper clips to finish! When you play, attach a magnet and gently lift the fish out.
Mixing in non-trick illustrations among them heightens the tension even more!
A fishing game you play floating on water
A fishing game where you make fish out of milk cartons and float them in water to play.
It lets you enjoy a scene that looks like real fish swimming, making it perfect for childcare activities or events.
Draw your favorite fish on milk cartons or other paper cartons and cut them out.
Color the cutout illustrations with permanent markers, attach a paper clip, and the fish are done.
Use twine, a magnet, and a chopstick to make a fishing rod.
Since the fish are made from paper cartons, they float on the water.
It would also be fun to have the children draw their own original illustrations.