Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

Handcrafted. Splendidly.

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Thus far in our Boredom Busters series, we’ve covered some novel ways to keep kiddos entertained by appealing to their appetites with fun edible bingo and to their scientific side with a photo scavenger hunt. Today’s idea will let them show their creative prowess with a craft project that can also be used later for imaginative fun!

As a mom of three little ones, I love a good craft project. Any parent knows, however, that there is a conundrum that arises as the result of such artistic creations: just what exactly to do with them once they are complete? I recently came up with a great Pottery Barn knock-off cable art display to proudly hang some of their proudest handiwork, but I have found over time that some of the best craft projects are something that can be put to good use later on. Enter this fun Magnetic Fishing Game. The act of decorating each fish is a fun exercise in creativity, yet their creations become functional pieces that can be used thereafter for indoor fun at its best!
The Prep Work
For the smallest artists, this project is one that will necessitate a fair amount of work by a parent or caregiver. Older children, however, will have great fun helping with each step of the process in this project.
For the fishing poles, use a 1/16″ drill bit to drill a hole in the end of a 1/4″ x 12″ wooden craft dowel. Cut 3″ squares from scrap fabric and place a 3/4″ circular magnet at the center of each one. Bring the corners of the fabric up and around the magnet, twisting to secure, as shown. Use embroidery floss, craft thread, or yarn to secure your magnet within the fabric, making sure to leave a long tail on one side of your knot. Thread this tail through an embroidery needle, and use the needle to push the thread through the hole in your dowel. Tie a knot in the end of your thread to secure it to your pole.
For the magnetic fish, print off the {{Fish Tracing Template PDF}} (a free download), and cut out the fish shape. Trace this template onto sheets of craft foam in assorted colors, and cut out each shape. 

Using a small hole punch, carefully punch holes in the locations specified on the fish template. (If you don’t have a small hole punch, you can easily make these holes with a sharp pair of scissors.) Slide a 3/8″ flat washer over the flap on the front of each fish, as shown, and fold the flap over so that your punched holes are aligned. Place a brad through each of the holes, pressing open the prongs to secure. Your little fishies are now ready to be treated to their royal decorating treatment! 
Hands-On Fun
Use buttons, pieces of craft foam, markers, pompoms, wiggly eyes, and other fun embellishments to add some flair to your fish. Allow any glued-on elements to dry completely.
Now, grab your poles and set to work seeing who can make the biggest catch of the day!
If you’re in the mood for more indoor crafting fun, you should also check out my tutorials for Bubble Wrap Crocodiles or quick-and-easy Balloon Monsters.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have regarding this project or any other from this series, either in the comments here or on my blog. Don’t miss the final installment in our Boredom Busters series next week, when I share an idea for some philanthropic fun!

Amy is mama to three small children (with another on the way!) and author of Positively Splendid, a haven of crafting and DIY inspiration, and a place where creative people of all skill levels can come and feel right at home. Because Amy likes to think of each tutorial as sitting down with friends to learn something new together, each and every project at Positively Splendid is explained to the last detail with step-by-step photo tutorials. Originally from the desert Southwest, Amy now resides outside Nashville, Tennessee.