Kids love to be outside and do activities, why not engage them in activities that not only get them up and move but also use their mind. Fishing is one of those activities which help in developing skills in kids and love for nature at the same time. Many parents complain that their kids think of fishing a bit boring. Making up games can turn fishing into an engaging activity for kids.
Build Skills by Turning Fishing into Games for Kids
Kids learn everything quickly if you turn it into a game. The same goes for fishing. Today when kids are more interested in mobile games, the best way to induce interest in fishing is if we can make it seem like a game. You can do a ton of different things to get your kids engaged and to make sure they stay involved in fishing.
Keep it Simple
Do not over complicate things. Means, do not put too much pressure on them to do well, encourage them, don’t make it a be all end all situation. Pressure takes the fun out of the activity. Keeping your child engaged and helping them to learn the basics of fishing without too much stress lets them enjoy themselves.
Cast Appropriately
Casting is the most crucial part of fishing. Take time to teach how casting appropriately can make a big difference in the number of fishes we catch. Make them practice a bit before they get on a fishing charter. Practicing on land is a safe way to get the hang of casting and to build the confidence they need to be able to be successful when you do go offshore fishing.
Safety First
Safety should always be the foremost concern. Teach all the safety steps you need to take while fishing. Discuss everything like hook safety, life jackets, casting, and what to do if the fish is too large or if kids get scared. Preparing them mentally before fishing can make a big difference.
Teach Your Kid Fishing with Games
Once you get the basics down, present the fishing trip as a game to the kids. Kids do better with games than they do with straightforward, cut and dry information. Taking the time to make a game of it will also help to enrich the time you have together. It will make fishing more exciting for you too, after all “we all have a kid inside us”.
Fish Finder
In this game, all the fishes you catch should be of different species. Whoever catches more different species wins. You can keep a log of what you catch perhaps even take pictures of the fish you catch so that you can look them up and learn about them later. This is a great game for kids to learn about different species and well suited for fishing charters as you can see some really out there fishes.
Shore Fishing High Score
You can also rate or apply a point system to the fishes you catch. Try not to put too much emphasis on catching the most number of fishes but make a game of whatever you catch. Focus more on just catching fish and having a good time than making it a quantity game.
Fly Fishing Fun
Yet another great activity is fly fishing. Once the kids are little used to fishing, teach them the fly fishing technique. In this, they need to catch the fish with artificial bait. The fun part is making bait, like bugs or small fish. They will be excited during the whole process, from making bait to catching fish with that bait. This game introduces a creative aspect in kids and moves them towards advanced techniques of fishing.
Like any sport, if you take the time to make it fun and not put too much pressure, kids are going to have a great time and learn it more quickly. Fishing is a life skill that can double as a great way to spend time with kids and have fun while doing it. Make your next fishing trip truly memorable with iOutdoors, contact us to know, How?.
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