Fishing
This activity can operate in a variety of different 'watery' settings, as
well as engaging participants in individual or cooperative tasks. Set the scene
by creating an area of water to fish – this can be a pond, river, lake or on a
boat at sea, for example.
Use layers of stretch wrap to form the shape of a pool which will create rippling water effects. A paddling pool, large acrylic mirror or blue/green organza could also be used. Fill the ‘water’ with all kinds of brightly coloured fish which can be easily sourced i.e. fishermen’s lures or rubber/plastic toys or puppets.
Large
quantities of fish cut from a silver space blanket make a wonderful, cheap
resource that look amazing when thrown into the air and flutter down. The space blanket from which the fish were cut can
also be used to create rippling fish shadows, enhancing the environment.
Source
buckets and cheap fishing nets which can be found online or in poundshops in
the summer. They are light and easy to handle for those who have problems with
grip and can be used for a cooperative activity by anyone, even those with
limited movement. Or try making your own with hoops and netting
Make
fishing lines from bamboo canes (garden centre) with string attached. To add
another dimension to this prop, bells could be tied along the string, creating
jingling sounds while fishing.
To engage a whole group, large fishing nets can be used cooperatively by several people at once
Deep sea fishing could enable the introduction of larger sea creatures and fish. These could be puppets, inflatables or home-made, such as these jellyfish umbrellas, white foam manta rays, kids' play-tunnel sea slug, or stretchwrap fish.
Enhance
the quality of the water experience by adding SFX or use instruments such
as dulcimers and small metallophones to create rippling water sounds or
ocean drums and rainsticks if you are at sea.
