DIY: Fishing Game | Tinkerer Box Blog

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Fishing Game

Playful Learning

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Create a fun educational fishing game using a recycled Tinkerer box. Children need to catch fish according to the task cards, which helps develop their observation skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills.

Materials Needed

Cardboard box
Printable templates
Card paper
Paper clips
Tape
Cotton string
Scissors
Craft knife
Pencil
Drinking straw
Ruler

An overhead flatlay image displays various craft supplies arranged on a light wood surface. These include an open cardboard box, a sheet of paper with printed fish images, scissors, a utility knife, a ruler, paper clips, blue tape, a small ball of white yarn or string, a pencil, and a blue plastic straw or stick. The arrangement suggests preparation for a children's craft project, possibly a fishing game.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Draw 12-16 lines of 5cm length on the card paper, and carefully cut slots along each line using the craft knife.

A rectangular piece of flat cardboard lies on a light wooden surface. Horizontal lines are drawn across the cardboard, dividing it into equal rectangular sections. The edges of the cardboard show slight creases or folds, suggesting it may have been part of a box. The image evokes a sense of preparation for a craft or organizational project.

Step 2

Use scissors to cut out the larger fish templates along the black outline.

A hand holds a sheet of paper with sixteen printed images of colorful cartoon fish, arranged in a grid. Scissors are positioned to cut the paper, separating the individual fish images. The background is a light wooden surface. The image suggests the preparation of game pieces or craft elements for a children's activity.

Step 3

Attach paper clips to the back of the cut-out fish cards using tape.

Two hands are shown attaching a strip of blue textured material to the bottom edge of a small white card. A light blue paperclip is clipped to the top of the card. The background is a light wood surface. The image suggests someone creating a handmade element, possibly for a game or craft project.

Step 4

Cut out the smaller fish templates one by one using scissors.

A hand holds a piece of paper containing sixteen colorful cartoon fish illustrations arranged in a grid. Scissors are cutting the paper, separating the fish images. The fish are various colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and orange. The background is a light wooden surface. The scene suggests the preparation of pieces for a children's game or a crafting activity.

Step 5

Fold the card paper twice along the shorter edge and once along the longer edge, as shown. Cut along the fold lines to create 8 identical rectangles.

A hand holds a piece of bright blue paper folded into fourths. Scissors are positioned to cut the paper along one of the central folds. The paper rests on a light wood surface. The image suggests a simple paper-cutting activity or the preparation of materials for a craft project.

Step 6

Stick the cut-out small fish onto the card pieces.

Two hands are placing small, printed images of colorful cartoon fish onto a larger piece of light blue cardstock. A blue and white fish is being positioned next to pre-placed images of a yellow and white fish and a pink fish. Additional fish images are scattered near the top of the frame. The background is a light wooden surface. The image suggests a matching game or a crafting activity involving fish.

Step 7

Cut a 20cm length of cotton string and tie one end to the drinking straw.

Two hands are tying a piece of white string or yarn around a blue plastic drinking straw. The hands are in the process of tightening the knot. The background is a light wood surface. The image suggests a crafting activity or the creation of a homemade toy or tool.

Step 8

Secure the tied string with tape to ensure it won't come loose when pulled.

Two hands are shown working with a blue plastic drinking straw. Blue painter's tape is being wrapped around one end of the straw. A thin, white string or wire is being threaded through the end of the straw. The background is a light wood surface. The image suggests a crafting or DIY project, possibly creating a toy or tool.

Step 9

Tie a paper clip to the other end of the string. Slightly bend open the outer side of the paper clip as shown. Your fishing rod is now complete.

Two hands hold a small, light blue paperclip. A piece of white string or yarn is being tied to the paperclip. The background is a light wood surface. The image suggests the beginning stages of a craft project or the creation of a simple tool or toy.

Step 10

Place the fish cards with paper clips into the slots in the cardboard box.

A hand holds a small, square piece of paper with a drawing of a simple, cartoon fish on it. The paper appears to have a small metal brad or fastener at the top. The hand is positioning the fish over a larger piece of cardboard with several thin, parallel slits cut into it. The background is a light wood surface. The image suggests a fishing game or a child's craft activity.

Step 11

Draw a card at random - can you find the matching fish in the box? Use your fishing rod to catch them!

A child's hand is reaching for a small card with a drawing of a blue and white fish. Several similar cards are visible. In the center of the image, there are dark blue cards with images of different colored fish: a blue and white fish, a pink and yellow fish, and another blue and white fish. A light blue fishing rod made from a straw or similar material with string attached is visible in the bottom right corner. A partially visible cardboard box is at the top of the frame. The background is a light, textured surface. The scene depicts a fishing game using paper fish and a homemade fishing rod.

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