Magnetic felt fishing game and free pattern

This game is so simple to make and little ones love it. Just lay out the felt sea creatures on the floor and try to pick them up using a magnetic fishing rod. You could develop the game further by assigning points to each creature and/or introducing a time limit.

You need:

Felt in a variety of colours
Small beads/buttons
Cotton or embroidery thread in a variety of colours
Small amount of stuffing
Washer or large paperclip for each creature

Short stick or length of dowel
String
A magnet

To make the felt sea creatures, I used paper patterns, copies of which I've linked to below. You may need to resize the patterns (my creatures measure about 10cm across) before printing. Simply use the template to cut the shape out of felt, decorate as requried with embellishments and embroidery, and sew together. I've used a small amount of stuffing in most of the creatures. Mine are only decorated on one side, but of course you could make them reversible. Sew in the washer firmly at one end.

To make the fishing rod, attach a magnet to a piece of string. I used a circular magnet, and I cut a small circle the same size out of cardboard. I made a hole in the centre of the cardboard and threaded a piece of string through and then glued the cardboard to the magnet. This way the string came out of the centre of the magnet. Then tie the other end of the piece of string to the stick.

I made a felt treasure chest, angel fish, seashell, turtle, starfish and clownfish...

...and a felt killer whale, tiger barb, seahorse, anchor and seaweed.

The creatures you make can be adapted to suit the felt colours that you have available, I tried to use a variety of different colours. I didn't have enough washers for each one so I used paperclips for the smaller creatures, which do still work although washers are better if you can get them.

To download the patterns so that you can print them out click here:

Felt magnetic fishing game pattern

If you do use the patterns to make your own game I would love to see it! If you would like the pattern and are having trouble downloading it then please let me know.