Easy DIY Activity with Motor, Sensory, and Learning Benefits
Looking for a fun and educational outdoor activity this summer? This DIY Pool Noodle Fishing Game is a favorite in our home! With just a few simple materials—most of which you probably already have—you can set up an engaging sensory-rich experience your kids will love. Not only is this activity fun and screen-free, but it also supports your child’s fine and gross motor development, sensory exploration, and early learning skills!
Why I Love thus Pool Noodle Fishing Game Activity as a Homeschooling Mom
We created our own fishing game using cut-up pool noodles, a few sturdy sticks from the backyard, and a splashy little pool. My kids played for hours—casting, catching, counting, and storytelling. It turned into a full-body, full-brain activity that we’ll definitely be repeating outside and indoors.
You can watch my Instagram Reel on this pool noodle fishing game here!
Educational Benefits
- Counting & Color Sorting: Assign numbers or colors to the “fish” and let kids sort or add them up.
- Early Literacy: Add letters or simple sight words for a reading twist.
- STEM Exploration: Talk about floating vs. sinking, or how water moves.
Motor Skills Benefits
- Fine Motor Practice: Holding and aiming the rod strengthens small muscles in hands and fingers.
- Gross Motor Movement: Reaching, standing, and bending engages large muscle groups.
- Hand-Eye Coordination & Bilateral Coordination: Fishing helps both sides of the brain and body work together.
Sensory Benefits
- Tactile Play: Handling pool noodles and water provides fun, safe sensory input.
- Proprioception: Pulling against resistance while fishing supports body awareness.
- Visual Tracking: Watching floating fish encourages focus and attention.
How to Make a Pool Noodle Fishing Game
Materials
- 1–2 pool noodles (or more for color recognition)
- Child-safe scissors or a serrated knife (for adult use only)
- Twine, yarn, or string
- pipe cleaners
- Branches or any Long stick like a kids broom (to use as fishing rods)
- Hooks (i used these ikea kitchen hooks but these work as well )
- Optional: magnets + paper clips OR Velcro dots
- Optional: permanent marker (to write letters, numbers, etc.)
- A kiddie pool or large bin of water
Instructions:
- Cut the Noodles: Slice the pool noodles into 2 inch thick discs. These are your “fish.”
- Add Details: Use a marker to draw eyes & mouth or numbers, letters, on the noodle pieces. You can even glue on googly eyes or fins!
- Use a pile cleaner to creat a handle but putting through one end of the pipe cleaner on one side of the pool noodle and the other end on the opposite side. (You can also use 2 inch pieces of pipecleaners to make fins)
- Create the Fishing Rods: If using branches, make a slit on the branch, do not break off) Pull through the slit some twine string. You can now tie the hook to it.
- If using magnets instead of a hook: insert a paper clip into each pool noodle fish so they can be
- Fill the Pool: Add water to a kiddie pool or bin and toss in your noodle fish.
- Let the Fun Begin! Kids can take turns casting their lines, catching fish, counting them, sorting by color or number, and even storytelling their catches.
Extensions & Ideas
- Write sight words on the fish and ask your child to “catch” specific words.
- Assign math problems or alphabetical challenges for older kids.
- Color sort game by using different noodle colors and matching fishing poles or pails
- ABC’s / letter recognition by writing letters on the pool noodles
- Number recognition by writing numbers in the pool noodles
- Take this indoors by using magnets, paper clips, and paper fish. (you can definitely repurpose the pool noodles) Watch my reel here!
- Cold winter months? (Fill the tub!)
Final Thoughts
This Pool Noodle Fishing Game has quickly become a summer favorite. It’s inexpensive, educational, and packed with sensory and motor skill benefits—all while keeping kids cool and entertained. Best of all, it adapts to different age levels and learning goals!
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