Learn how to make a DIY Math Fishing Game for your kids. This is a fun math activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners to try on a hot summer day. Use it at home or in the classroom for some hands-on learning.
If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
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More Summer STEM Activities
Need some more summer themed STEM activities? Take a look at these free printables and play ideas for toddlers and preschoolers to get you started.
- Ice Cream Math Printable
- Feed the Shark Math Game
- Fishing Game Pattern Printable
- DIY Summer Math Camp
- Water Play Math Practice
For more ideas, check out these 32 Summer STEM Activities for Kids.
Materials Needed
- Foam Sheets
- Pen
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaners
- A large tub of water
- 2 foam dice for kids
How to Make a DIY Math Fishing Game
Make the fish
1. Draw a fish onto a sheet of foam.
I made my fish around 2 inches long, but you can make the outline of the fish as large as you like. Just keep in mind the size of the tub you’re going to use, so unless you’re using a massive kiddie pool, then keep them fairly small.
Draw a circle in the center of the fish.
2. Cut out your fish.
Use scissors to cut out your fish, including the circle in the middle. This circle is important because it is how your children are going to hook their fish later on, when they’re ready to play.
3. Draw numbers on the fish.
I wrote the numbers 1 – 12 on my fish. I chose these numbers specifically because I knew that I was going to play this game with 2 dice.
If you want to play with 3 or 4 dice, you can make fish that go up to a larger number.
If you want to make this game for toddlers, you can substitute numbers for shapes instead. Learning shapes is still a math concept and one that toddlers can learn about.
Make the fishing rods
4. Bend the pipe cleaners into hooks.
I used pipe cleaners to make the fishing rods because, for me, it was the easiest way.
If you already have different fishing rods from another game, feel free to use those instead.
Set up the fish pond
5. Fill a large tub with water.
I set mine up outside on the grass, but you can also use a bath or kiddie pool for this activity if you prefer.
6. Place your fish on top of the water, with the number side facing upwards.
How to Play
1. Roll the dice.
2. Count how many dots there are in total between the two dice.
3. Find the fish that has the same number as the dice, written on its side.
For example, if you roll a four with the dice, find the fish that has the number 4 written on it.
3. Use the fishing rods to hook the correct fish and pull it out of the water.
What You’re Learning
STEM
Science
This is a great opportunity to talk to children about fish. Different questions to talk about can include:
- Where do they live?
- What do they eat?
- What different kinds of fish are there?
- What do they look like?
- How do we farm them?
What nutrients do they give us when we eat them?
Technology
A fishing rod is technology. We use them to help us to catch fish for food or for sport. Having pipe cleaner fishing rods shows children how to use this technology (in a simple way) to catch fish.
Math
Counting – using two dice together is perfect, because it helps children learn how to count up to 12. Without realizing it, your kids have also just done some basic addition. For example, 2 dots on one dice plus 4 dots on the other dice equals 6 dots in total.
Number Recognition – your children will need to know what the numbers look like when they are written as a numeral.
Shape Recognition – if you decide to do this activity with shapes, instead of numbers, your child will learn how to recognize and match specific 2D shapes.
Matching – matching the number (i.e. quantity of dots on the dice) to its numeral representative (e.g. 4) and that they mean the same thing.
Fine Motor Skills
Rolling the dice and hooking the fish are also great for developing fine motor skills in young children. These activities will encourage them to practice pincer grip and hand-eye coordination.
Get over 80+ pages of Summer themed play based learning activities and craft templates. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.
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