Preschool Fishing Games
Are you a preschool teacher looking for engaging, yet educational activities to do with your young students? Fishing games are the perfect way to introduce children of all ages to various topics such as counting, colors, and cooperation. Not only are preschool fishing games fun, but they also offer the opportunity for kids to learn gross and fine motor skills while developing an early understanding of math, literacy, or science concepts.
WHY ARE FISHING GAMES IMPORTANT FOR PRESCHOOLERS?
Fishing games can be used to teach preschoolers about a variety of topics, including counting, sorting, problem-solving, and cooperation. These games also help preschoolers develop their gross and fine motor skills. Furthermore, preschool fishing games can provide kids with an understanding of mathematics or science concepts such as weights, sizes, and shapes. As preschoolers work together to catch the most fish, they learn social skills such as collaboration and communication.
DIY PRESCHOOL FISHING GAMES
Sometimes you want to easily create a game without spending a lot of time or money. These DIY fishing games encourage students to engage in pretend play, which develops their imaginations and allows their creativity to flourish.
Make Your Own Fishing Rod
To make your DIY fishing pole, you will need: string, yarn, or fishing line, a stick (or wooden dowel if you have them), clothespins, paperclips or magnets, and scissors. Cut the string into two equal lengths and tie a stick at one end of each length. Tie a clothespin, paperclip or magnet to the other end to complete your fishing pole.
Make Your Own Fish
Cut out fish shapes from construction paper or cardstock, write numbers on the cards, and use markers to draw eyes onto them. Finally, attach your fish shapes to the paper or cardstock using glue or tape. If you made magnetic fishing poles, be sure to attach a magnet as well.
Use Your Living Room or Classroom Furniture
The furniture in the room can be your fishing boat. Have preschoolers pretend to be fishing, using their fishing rods and paper fish. Ask preschoolers to pull their fishing rods from one side of the room to another in order to catch a fish.
PAPER PRESCHOOL FISHING GAMES
Some days you want kids to be able to work with just some paper and writing instruments. These games are simple to set up and clean up, and can entertain for a short or long time. Give these games a fishing theme, and you’re all set.
Fishing Cards
Give preschoolers paper cards with numbers, letters of the alphabet or words written on them. Place a container in front of preschoolers and ask them to take turns fishing for cards. Have preschoolers count, identify letters or read the words on their cards as they pull them out of the container.
Fishing Mazes
Create a maze for preschoolers to color and trace their way through. Or use one of these mazes. Make the maze look like a fishing net, with fish swimming around obstacles that preschoolers must avoid. Ask preschoolers to make the correct turns while they navigate their way from one end of the maze to the other.
Fishing Letter Hunt
Write a set of alphabet letters on the preschool fishing paper. Ask preschoolers to search for and circle all of the fish that have one particular letter on them. Allow preschoolers to work at their own pace, but provide help if they get stuck.
Fishing Worksheets – Pre-Writing & Letters
MATH PRESCHOOL FISHING GAMES
Incorporate preschool mathematical knowledge into the preschool fishing fun. Use a math fishing game or two to practice math skills.
Number Fishing
Write numbers on paper fish and attach them to a wall or board using tape, glue or clothespins. Ask preschoolers to pick up each fish with their fishing rod and identify the number written on it. Preschoolers can count out loud as they find each fish and place it in their basket.
Fish Counting Game
Cut out several paper fish and write numbers on them ranging from one to ten. Ask preschoolers to match the right number of paper clips to each fish, then count the total number of paper clips they’ve used.
Fishing Pattern Puzzles
Create preschool fishing puzzles with numbers, shapes or colors. Ask preschoolers to look for patterns in the puzzles and match pieces that fit together.
Graphing Games
LITERACY PRESCHOOL FISHING GAMES
Little preschoolers love to explore the world of words and you can use preschool fishing games to help them do just that.
Storytime Fishing
Choose a preschool storybook with colorful illustrations and read it out loud while preschoolers pretend to fish. Ask preschoolers questions throughout the story and discuss the characters, plot and setting with preschoolers.
Fishy Word Hunt
Write a set of words on paper fish and attach them to the wall or board. Ask preschoolers to pick up each fish with their fishing rod and read out loud the word written on it.
Fishing Alphabet Game
Write the letters of the alphabet on paper fish and attach them to the wall with tape, glue or clothespins. Ask preschoolers to pick up each fish and name the letter written on it. Allow preschoolers to work at their own pace, but provide help if they get stuck.
Coloring Fishing Games
Print out coloring sheets that are themed around fishing, such as boats, fish, lures, and rods, as preschoolers can use these to practice fine motor skills and color recognition.
SCIENCE PRESCHOOL FISHING GAMES
Preschool fishing activities don’t have to be just fun and games. Incorporate preschool science skills into preschool fishing play for even more learning opportunities.
Fishing for Facts
Write facts about a certain type of fish on paper cards, such as its size, color or habitat. Place the cards in a container and ask preschoolers to take turns fishing for facts. Have preschoolers read the cards out loud as they pull them from the container.
Fishing Sorting Game
Write different types of fish on paper cards, such as salmon, trout or cod. Place the cards in a container and ask preschoolers to take turns fishing for fish. Have preschoolers match the cards to a sorting chart of freshwater and saltwater fish.
Underwater Biology Exploration
Fill a bin with sand and water and add plastic sea animals. Ask preschoolers to use their fishing rods to explore what’s living underwater. Discuss the characteristics of each animal they find and encourage them to make observations.
These preschool fishing games will help preschoolers learn a variety of preschool concepts, from math and literacy to shapes, colors, counting and more. Encourage preschoolers to explore the world around them with these fun preschool fishing games!
