Counting Fish

In honor of Go Fishing Day on June 18th, I made some simple fish for my son.  I added some buttons in different numbers to use for counting practice as well as fishing.

Things that you will need:

Felt sheets (these can be bought at most crafts stores for less than 40 cents per sheet)

Embroidery thread in multiple colors

Needle

Embellishments if wanted

Stick for a pole (we used a wooden spoon)

Magnet

Metal washers (they can be found in bulk at home improvement stores)

The first thing that you need to do it to make yourself a pattern.  I drew out some fish on paper until I got two that I liked.  For each fish you will need to cut out two fish from the felt.   

If you are going to add embellishments, this is the time.  We added buttons in different numbers on each fish to use for counting. You will only put them on one side of the fish so it must be done before sewing the fish together.  Then place the two on top of one another and stitch them together.  We used different bright colors of thread.

You need to leave a small opening at the mouth of the fish to sew on the washer.

Now you have the fish finished.  It's time to make a fishing pole.  Any stick would do.  You can buy a stick or just get one from outside.  We decided to use a wooden spoon left over from another project.  It is the perfect size for my three year old.

We attached three to the spoon and secured with glue.  Then you add a magnet as the "hook".  So far, we have not stopped playing or "fishing".