Magnetic fishing inside can take on the form of entertainment or learning. It is a fun activity not only for the littlest child, thrilled with the magnetic magic; but, also for the older child struggling in school with basic math facts, trying to memorize something, learning sight words or vocabulary words, or has an interest in magnetism.
Go fishing inside! Make a fishing pole. Use a stick or dowel rod with a piece of yarn, string or cording tied to one end. Next, tie a magnet on the end of the “fishing line”. Paper clips attached to paper pictures or index cards can easily be “caught” with the magnet “hook”. A blue sheet, towel or throw rug make an excellent lake, river, ocean or any type body of water you desire. Masking tape placed on the floor can add the excitement of fishing from a “boat”. Or, you can fish from the “shoreline” around the “water”.
“Fish” can be made from pictures cut out of magazines, old calendars, greeting cards, computer clip art, photographs etc. They can be laminated or covered with clear contact paper for greater stability and longevity. A paperclip added makes it “catchable”.
You can also catch things other than fish. Any picture will do…you could “catch” animals, flowers, shells, sea creatures, leaves, action figures or people in the family. You can use pictures of whatever your child/family is interested in.
Catching family members (photos with a paper clip attached) would be a fun way to teach family relationships. Example: Auntie Sherie, Daddy’s sister; Grandpa Joe, Mommy’s Daddy, etc.
Catching animals, flowers, etc. is a fun way of learning the differences and names of those things. Example: the different types of leaves (oak, maple, etc.) or flowers (tulip, rose, daisy, carnation, etc.).
The younger child can catch things that are all one color or one shape. Fill your “water” with pictures of a variety of everyday items. Then go fishing for only the red things or things that are square, etc.
Magnetic Fishing helps with eye- hand coordination and creates interest in scientific principles behind magnetism.