Right now I’m teaching my almost 3-year-old the alphabet. Each week we concentrate on a new letter while introducing letter specific flashcards, crafts, worksheets, books, sensory, and fine motor play. I made this easy DIY Felt Magnetic Fishing Game the week my son was learning the letter F. It’s a simple game for kids that help encourage the development of fine motor skills. This catch and release game can be played with again and again while helping your preschooler develop hand-eye coordination.
I used blue marbles from the dollar store to simulate water along with felt fish containing a washer. When you attach round magnets to the end of anything that simulates a fishing pole, it can be used to “catch” the fish. Make two fishing poles for siblings to play together.
Related: How to Teach a Toddler the Alphabet
Supplies Needed:
- Felt-various colors
- Metal washers or paper clips
- Googly Eyes
- Stick
- Fishing Line or string
- 2 round magnets
- Hot Glue
- Scissors
- Plastic storage container – Dollar Tree
- Glass Beads-Dollar Tree
Related: Float or Sink Game for Toddlers
Directions:
- Cut 2 pieces of felt into the shape of a fish.
- Place a metal washer or paperclip between the 2 pieces of felt and glue together. If you’re using a paperclip, make sure the tip of the clip protrudes from the fish’s mouth area.
- Glue on a googly eye.
- Tie a piece of fishing line to your stick and glue it to prevent coming off.
- Place the other end of the fishing line between the 2 round magnets, glue, and push together.
- Spray paint the magnets.
- Spread blue glass beads in a small storage container.
- Place fish in the container and fish them out using the magnetic fishing pole.
This DIY Felt Magnetic Fishing Game can also be used to encourage counting skills and color recognition. When my son and I play this game, we talk about fish-what letter they start with, where fish live, how they breathe under water, and the different species of fish. He also counts each fish as he removes them from the “water”. When all the fish have been caught, he lines them up and points to each color.
This game doesn’t just have to be used as a learning tool, have fun with it too!
Related: Shape Recognition Activity
Have you tried this DIY Felt Magnetic Fishing Game? Have you made your own sensory games? If so, share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
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Meagan is in her mid-thirties and has been married for almost 10 years. She is a proud boy mom, happily navigating her way through the toddler years. She met her husband 20 years ago in high school; they got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. Meagan currently helps run a family business with her parents and sister, while blogging about her life and taking care of her three-year-old son full time (at work)!
When she isn’t chasing her son around and constantly picking up Matchbox cars, she enjoys spending time with her family on a beach anywhere. She also loves decorating and organizing her home, delving into fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating at unique restaurants. She also loves Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
This will be so fun with my nephews! I know they’ll love this. Thanks for sharing! <3
Best rainy day activity for kids. I used to look out for these kind of games a decade back. And I know this will be super useful for new moms.
Love this idea!! What a great way to learn!
Very cute. My kids used to live playing a fishing game to match upper and lower case letters. I bought it but your homemade one looks great!
What a sweet project for kids! They can help to make it too!