diy fun_ magnetic fishing game _ crumbbums

7/27/2019 DIY Fun_ Magnetic Fishing Game _ CrumbBums

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6/19/13 DIY Fun: Magnetic Fishing Game | CrumbBums

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These guys love adventures. And while realfishing is definitely in our future, traveling to a

pond or lake or river with three little men who think they can swim (but cant) and handing

them sharp little items to get stuck in lord-knows-where sounds like one of my worst

nightmares, so for now, we will settle for magnetic fishing!

It is surprisingly easy, only slightly t ime-consuming (I did it a day in advance during one of


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their naps so that the glue on the eyeballs would have time to dry). Also, if you use whats

lying around your house like we did, its FREE!

Heres what youll need:

Supplies:

10 mini whiffle balls (we got these in the clearance bin at Target for $1)

aluminum foil

10 small paper clips

glue

2 strong magnets (we had these magnetic rocks lying around for experiments)

20 mini eyeballs

string (we used jute)

two long sticks from your yard

little foam scraps (for decorating your fish- completely optional)

1 rubber band, cut into two equal lengths


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Step 1: Push a paper clip through two holes and twist to secure (this will be the fishs mouth

where the magnet will latch on).


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Step 2: Take a length of foil (about 6 inches seemed to be the right amount) and very gently

poke the paper clip through the center of the piece (shiny side up if you want shiny fishes).


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Step 3: Being careful not to pull the foil too hard (it will want to tear where the hole is, so

support that area), close the foil around the ball, leaving two sections for the tail.


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Step 4: Mold the tail however you like!

Step 5: Glue two eyes on top and set aside to dry (preferably overnight).


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We also had some little foam rings and hearts so we decided to make mouths out of them by

glueing them around the paper clip!


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Step 6: Repeat with remaining balls to make 10 fish (we made some girl fish too).


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Step 7: For the fishing poles, start with a good length of string for the fishing line. Ours were

about 3 feet long, but you can eyeball it.


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Step 8: Place one rubber band piece under your magnet with the end of one piece of string on

top. Then tightly tie your rubber band around the magnet and string:


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Step 9: Tie the string in a firm knot on top of the rubber band. You can trim the extra rubber


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band and string off if you prefer.

Step 10: Tie the other end of the string securely to the thinner end of your stick. And voila!

You have your fishing pole! Repeat to make the second pole.

Now you can use your imagination! If you are stuck inside, you can create your own pond

with a blanket. Make a boat out of a bed, or be extra creative and make one or two out of


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cardboard boxes or laundry baskets!

Scatter your fish, then let the games begin!


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Oliver insisted he needed his fishing hat to do this!


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They caught two fish together!


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Sometimes the strong magnets get stuck together just like real fishing lures! No problem,

just gently separate and continue on!


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Collect them in a basket or in your hat!

Though we have yet to try these in the water, I am confident they will do really well since we

used waterproof materials. The boys played with this all day yesterday and everything held upvery well. We cant wait to try this in real water, perhaps in a kiddie pool in the back yard.

This kind of game is so great for developing fine motor skills for older toddlers. Oliver was

pretty frustrated at first because the string swings and the magnet needs to land right in front

of the fish for it to catch. However, after a few tries, he got the hang of it and I could see the

concentration on his face as he used those fine muscle groups and hand-eye coordination.

Hope you enjoy! If you try it out, let me know how it goes!

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10 T HOUGHTS ON DIY FUN: MAGNETIC FISHING GAME

This entry was posted in DIY Fun and tagged DIY, Ingenius Ideas by lauren. Bookmark the

permalink [http://www.crumbbums.com/?p=2656] .

2013

Mama{Lilly}Smith

on May 31, 2012 at 10:55 am said:

Very cool- they look like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on the edge of the bed! That

basket of bobble eyed fishies is crazy cute, cant wait until Wyatt is older and I can

try some of these fun activities out.

Cortnie

on May 31, 2012 at 2:44 pm said:

I love this idea so much I had to Pin it! Were always looking for toddler friendly super

inexpensive/free stuff to do.

I love Olivers fishing hat by the way.

xo

cortnie

Angela

on May 31, 2012 at 10:59 pm said:

That does it I believe Martha Stewart needs to be alerted to your genius craftiness! I

see a fishing trip to NYC in your future.

Next time.., use the kids pool as their fishing hole? & definitely pack a lunch! Too fun!
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You must be the best mom ever!

Ami

on June 1, 2012 at 7:49 am said:

Those fish mouthes are awesome, as is that fishing hat. Such a fun idea.

becca

on June 2, 2012 at 12:26 pm said:

this is awesome! totally going to try it soon if my kids stop quarreling for 2 seconds

help me

Annie


Great, great, great idea!

Rebecca


This is such an awesome idea. Love the Adventure Day things youre doing!! I just saw

the teddy bear picnic, and oh holy cuteness, that was the best thing EVER. Cant
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