Preschool Science: How to Make a Magnet Fishing Game

Preschool science is meant to be full of exploration and curiosity. Children should be encouraged to discover the answers for themselves, instead of always being shown how everything works. Let them explore magnets and then learn how to make a magnet fishing game, as a part of their scientific studies.

Teacher-Created Magnet Fishing Game

Materials needed:

*Colored paper
*Scissors
*Marker
*Laminate
*Paper clips
*Pencil or stick
*Yarn
*Small horseshoe or bar magnet

How to Make the Magnet Fishing Game

1. Draw fish shapes on the colored paper. Decorate them, and then cut them out.

2. Laminate the paper fish for durability.

3. Attach paper clips to the fish, to make them magnetic.

4. Tie a piece of yarn to the magnet on one end and to the pencil or stick at the other end, to make a fishing rod.

5. Place the fish in a basket. Children can "catch" the fish by dangling the magnet in the basket.

Extensions of the Magnet Fishing Game

*Experiment with different types of magnets, to see which ones work best, as part of preschool science studies.

*Bury the fish in a bucket of rice for the children to seek out.

*Use alternative magnet items in the basket.

How Children Can Make a Magnet Fishing Game

*Allow children to create their own fish out of paper, or to create any other design they wish. They can attach the paper clips by themselves.

*Children can explore their environment, to find other magnetic objects for "fishing". Let them put those in the basket, or to put them into a bucket or rice. This way, they can also explore the properties of magnetic and nonmagnetic.

The key to engaging children in preschool science activities is to let them do as much of the creation and exploration as possible. Provide a ready-made magnet fishing game as a guide to help them create their own magnet activities.