Make a Toy Baitfish
Guest Post by Cleo Papanikolas
These cute little baitfish fit into an Altoids tin like canned sardines. Hang them from a backpack, or string them up from a line outside your tent. Fashion a fishhook from a paperclip and hang it from a twig fishing pole. If you put pairs of numbers on the back of the fish, you can play Go Fish. They also make a great carnival game with prizes on the back of the fish.
All the supplies fit into a little zipper pouch. So, print out several copies of the artwork on 4” x 6” photo paper (make sure you print at 100%) and set up a crafting station on a picnic table out in the field. You can use a drill if you like, but the pin vise is great for kids.
Supplies
- Artwork printout
- #20 woodworking biscuits (these are Wolfcraft brand)
- Small clips
- Needle nose pliers
- Pin vise and 3/32” drill bit (this is Mascot brand, make sure your pin vise will hold this size bit. Some are for tiny bits)
- Scissors
- 10 mm jump rings (can be bigger)
- Tacky glue
- Ribbon or fabric scraps (selvages are nice)
Supplementary Supplies
- Block of wood
- Pushpin
- Altoids tin
- Paperclip
- Twine
- Twig
Step 1: Cut Out Artwork
Place it next to a biscuit so you can see which direction your fish is swimming. Glue on some fins and a tail. Get as fancy as you like.
Step 2: Glue
Glue the art on top of the ribbons. You may need to clip it while it dries.
Step 3: Drill
Drill a hole through the black dot but don’t get too close to the edge or the wood will break out. Little hands may need a thumbtack bumper to keep the fish from spinning.
Step 4: Add Finishing Touches
Put a ring through the hole. For extra credit you can make a fishing pole or decorate an Altoids tin. Are you going to make some of these cuties with your kids this weekend?