Net Fishing Fine Motor Play

We played fishing previously as a dry version, without water. Today, we are sharing a cheap version with bottle caps pretending to be fish. Our net is designed to be used in a fish tank as it is very small. It was the perfect size for little hands. Time for some Net Fishing Fine Motor Play.

As we were short on time, I needed an activity that would be easy to set up and clean up afterward. This was perfect activity for such circumstances! Plus, every toddler is crazy about water play. Works wonderfully to keep them focused and busy for some time!

WHAT WE USED FOR NET FISHING ACTIVITY?

• plastic bin
• water
• blue food coloring
• bottle caps (from recycle bin)
• small fishing net
• additional container for storing caught fish
• towel

HOW TO SET UP A FISHING SENSORY BIN?

To capture any likely spills, I placed a towel on our table and positioned a sensory bin on top. I filled this with water, added a couple drops of blue food coloring and poured our collection of recycled milk bottle tops into the sensory bin.

We were going to pretend that the recycled bottle tops were fish that needed to be caught in the net. However, any small floating object could be used.

Also, if you take this sensory bin outdoors during spring and summer, you can avoid all the water spills indoors and use it as a refreshing activitiy on a hot day.

HOW TO PLAY NET FISHING ACTIVITY?

I gave my son the small net and he proceeded to scoop up the floating milk bottle tops. At first, he wanted to see how many bottle tops he could scoop up at one time. Once the net was full, he emptied the net out onto the towel that was covering the table. As soon as he had mastered the skill of using the net to scoop and empty out the bottle tops I made the activity harder.

I placed a container next to the sensory bin. This time, my son had to empty the milk bottle tops into the container from the net. At first, he tried to empty a net that was completely full into the container. This resulted in all of the milk bottle tops falling onto the towel.

He changed his method and scooped up only one bottle top at a time. This way he had more control over the bottle top and the net and was able to successfully place the top into the container.

Our simple fine motor play activity kept him occupied for ages and he kept returning to it throughout the day.

As our small net was so cheap I plan to buy more in the future and repeat the activity on a larger scale in the bath. What a wonderful way to enjoy bath time and develop fine motor skills.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Skills children work on as they play fishing:

• Development of fine motor skills
• Eye & hand coordination – watching and doing and coordinating these actions.
• Concentration

EXTEND THE PLAY WITH A STORYTIME!

Swim along with Little Fish and meet his many fishy friends in this splashy, splashy riot of color and rhyme under the sea. This eye-popping read-aloud is sure to have buoyant little ones shouting, “Hooray for fish!” Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom

Dive into the ocean to learn about opposites in this bubbly book! With bright artwork, fish-shaped finger-holes, and a fun rhyming story, learning is brought to life! Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom

NEXT PLAY IDEA FOR YOUR CHILD

If your child enjoys playing with water, let them try their hands at few of the ideas from the collection of 33 water play ideas. You can also purchase few water bead baggies and invite them to play with water beads. So much fun!