Simple Tips

August 21, 2007 | Print

Going Fishing

As summer ends, we savor our last weeks for outdoor water play. Pretend fishing is one of our favorites.

We start with picking up a ball of string from the store. When it’s fishing time, we put on our gear–pants/shorts with pockets, a vest, rain boots, water shoes, whatever’s desired.

For equipment, we look around outside for a good fishing stick. Once each child finds a stick, we tie the line (a/k/a string) to their rods. Sometimes they collect rocks to tie on for bait.

Now we’re ready to cast into the creek, river, or kiddie pool. Large buckets also work, each child may like having their own fishing hole. When a child feels a tug on the line, they reel in the pretend fish.

Sometimes we bring buckets for the fish, feed them leaves, dirt or berries if we decide to keep them as pets. The imaginative play can even carry on to cooking the fish on an outdoor rock grill, seasoning with more leaves, dirt or berries.

Large leaves are good stand ins for fish if the imaginary ones are too invisible. Poke a hole to run the string through and hang the leaf-fish from the fishing line.

These ideas get the fishing started, kids have a wonderful way of creating their own fishing adventure.

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