Handmade goldfish scooping ideas: How to make goldfish and scoops (poi)
Goldfish scooping is a classic feature of summer festivals.
Haven’t you tried it at least once?
In this article, we’ll introduce DIY ideas for goldfish scooping.
Since you can make them with construction paper, origami, or recycled materials, it’s perfect for indoor fun, and even children who can’t scoop real goldfish can play.
They’re also great for pretend festivals at daycare or kindergarten.
Some goldfish can even float on water, so you can enjoy them in your bathtub at home.
If you want an easy way to enjoy goldfish scooping, give these a try!
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Handmade goldfish scooping ideas: How to make goldfish and scoops (11–20)
Poi made from an empty snack box
Let’s play using scrap materials! Here’s an idea for making a poi scoop using an empty snack box.
How about using the plastic lid that comes with snacks as a makeshift poi? Float decorative balls or beads in a bowl and scoop them up with the lid-turned-poi! It can help nurture children’s concentration and teach control of strength.
If you want to make the poi sturdier, wrap it all around with vinyl tape to increase its durability.
Give it a try!
Paper goldfish & a scooper made from construction paper and a straw
Let’s have fun playing with recycled materials! Here are ideas for paper goldfish and a scooping net made from construction paper and a straw.
It’s a wonderful way to combine reusing materials with crafting.
Because you use familiar items, prep is easy, and it’s an ideal activity for nurturing children’s creativity and problem-solving skills.
Another appealing point is that kids can express their individuality by freely drawing the goldfish’s expressions and colors.
After finishing, the scooping game also helps them practice following rules and taking turns.
Give it a try!
Goldfish scooping of “The Goldfish Has Run Away.”
This is a goldfish scooping game based on the picture book “The Goldfish is Hiding,” in which a runaway goldfish keeps hiding somewhere.
Draw goldfish and other fish on milk cartons, cut them out, and wrap them with clear tape so they float in water.
Make lots of them and let them float in the bath—even kids who dislike bath time will be happily absorbed in play.
However, since tools like scissors and staplers are used when making the scoops (poi), be careful to prevent injuries if you’re crafting together with your child.
Goldfish made from bottle caps & scoops made from milk cartons
Goldfish scooping using plastic bottle caps is easy because you can make it with materials you already have at home.
Cut colorful materials like colored plastic bags, wrap them around the caps, and secure them with rubber bands to create goldfish shapes—it’s simple.
Since both the caps and the plastic bags are light and float on water, you can play using a kitchen bowl filled with water.
Also, you can make a scoop (poi) by cutting out a piece from a milk carton and attaching a mesh strainer bag, making it easy to catch the fish.
Why not try making this as a summer activity?
Goldfish made of flower paper & scoops made from paper plates
Goldfish scooping with flower-paper goldfish and paper-plate scoops is perfect as a recreation activity because the crafts are easy to make.
You can wrap a balled-up tissue with flower paper and secure it with cellophane tape, or make a scoop by sandwiching a paper plate between a pair of chopsticks—no scissors or other tools required—so even small children can safely enjoy the entire crafting process.
If you want to get fancy, you can add fins and eyes with origami, making it fun even when the focus is on the crafting itself.
By tying the goldfish and the scoop together with string, you can also recreate the sensation of “catching” the goldfish, making this an idea that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to seniors.