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Here's a fun way to save a cardboard box from recycling. Turn it into a fishing pond! Even on a rainy day, your child can grab their pole and head to their favorite pond to catch a few fish.

What You’ll Need

cardboard box
scissors or craft knife
pencil
paints
paintbrushes
markers
glitter glue
metal paper clips
2-3 sticks
nylon string
2-3 magnets

Instructions

1. Cut the top flaps off from the cardboard box. Tape the bottom flaps closed. Draw an underwater scene on all sides of the box. Paint the underwater scene, and let the box dry thoroughly. You may need to paint in layers – the water, the plants, etc. Be sure to let each layer dry before continuing to the next.

2.While the cardboard painted scene is drying you can make some fishes. From the flaps you cut off in Step 1, draw some fish and cut them out. Paint and decorate the fish with markers and glitter glue. Let dry completely. When the fish are dry, glue a paperclip behind the mouth of each fish.

3. Make your fishing rods. Cut the nylon string to about 12 inches long. Tie one end on a magnet. Tie the other end to the end of a stick. Make at least 2 fishing rods. It would be easy to get a few poles out of a dowel purchased at a craft store.

4. Drop the fish inside the cardboard box. Use the fishing rod to catch some fish!

One optional thing that could be done is to draw and cut out jellyfish, octopus or your child’s favorite type of fish. Maybe this fish is a special one that comes with a treat when it is caught! Also this game could be used to delegate chores – write a chore on the back of the fish, when it is time to do chores around the house the fish your child catches is the first one they do that day. Great creative with what you can do with the fish!

Submitted by Leximom