Fishing With Kids: Everything You Need to Know

This International Fishing Month, we want to save all you worrying parents out there. Find out the best ways to go fishing with kids, and how your family attraction can ensure maximum safety.

As a parent, keeping your kids safe is something that’s always on your mind. At the same time, you want to expose them to everything that life has to offer, so that they can have fun, and experience new hobbies and interests for the future.

Fishing is one of those activities that many parents enjoy, but are often wary about involving their kids in. Whether it be through avoiding boredom on the kid’s behalf, or concerns over safety, fishing can be a tricky one.

This International Fishing Month, we, at the Family Attraction Expo, want to open fishing up to the masses. So, let’s jump right in…

The Benefits of Fishing With Kids

Fishing can teach kids a lot of life lessons:

• Patience: waiting for the catch requires an awful lot of this quality, that’s for sure!


• Reward: waiting for a catch may be boring, but when the catch comes, it can be exciting, rewarding, and exhilarating.


• Animal awareness: making sure the fish is harmed as little as possible, either when releasing it, or taking it home to cook, is a great way to teach kids empathy.


• Conservation: the kids can not only learn about discarding the fish appropriately, but also the importance of keeping your fishing equipment from injuring birds, or other wildlife.


• Sustainability: making sure to respect nature through avoiding littering is a key element in improving our Earth.

With these benefits in mind, let’s explore the ways in which we can all get our kids involved, to teach them these life lessons...

Safety First

Worrying is a natural part of being a parent, especially with a sport, like fishing, which has a number of potential hazards. That said, when it comes to outdoor activities, like fishing, there are a number of ways you can take the stress off yourself. In fact, many of these hazards have very simple remedies, including:

• Water: lifejackets are an essential method to reducing the risks that water poses, especially for your kids.


• Sharp hooks: debarbing hooks is a great way to make them that little bit safer, but it also means it’ll damage the fish less, if you’re looking to catch-and-release.


• Wires: fishing wires can become a hazard if not handled correctly. Supervision is a great way to avoid any unprecedented problems in this regard; by watching the kids at all times, you can keep them safe.

Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can ensure you and your kids stay out of the hospital, whenever you go fishing.

Bring Appropriate Equipment

With these imposing dangers, it’s important to make sure you bring along the correct equipment to minimise potential risks. Apart from the obvious⁠—fishing line, worms, hooks⁠—here are some other items you shouldn’t forget:

• Extras: make sure to bring spare lines and hooks, so if anything breaks, the fun doesn’t have to be cut short.


• Bobbers: this way, you can keep an eye on where your fishing line has drifted to.


• Sinkers: on their own, a hook and line won’t always sink, so sinkers help to make sure they do.


• Plastic worms: these are a great way of luring in fish, especially if you’re bass fishing, and come in an array of colours and sizes.


• Lures: although most fish will be enticed by the basic equipment, if you’re having trouble, a lure might be a good way to boost fish count!


• Needle nose pliers: these are a good way to remove hooks from the fish’s mouth, in the best way possible.


• Line cutter: nail clippers or scissors are great for this, and are the easy way out when you get your fishing wire caught somewhere.


• Seat: comfort is key, especially to keep the kids occupied. With seats to perch on, no one can complain about aching feet and legs.


• Small first aid kit: just incase!

Stay Hydrated

Sitting around, waiting to catch fish, may not seem very taxing. That said, even when you’re not necessarily super thirsty, drinking water is essential! Make sure to take a few bottles for each person, and you’ll keep those headaches at bay. 

Be Sun Conscious

Likewise, it’s important to take care when sitting in the sun for prolonged periods of time. UV radiation, emitted by the sun, is extremely dangerous, which is why protecting yourself is super important for enjoying outdoor activities safely.

To prevent against skin damage from the sun, ensure to bring sun cream on your fishing trip, and apply it frequently. Also, don’t forget to bring along a sun hat and sunglasses to prevent heat stroke, another potentially dangerous affliction.

Ensure Proper Boat Safety

Boat safety is another matter in itself! There are a number of important steps you must take before setting off on the water in a boat. So, if you’re fishing from a boat, instead of land, check out the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show’s blog post about boat safety, here.

Keep the Kids Entertained

Fishing can be a pretty slow activity, especially considering how quiet you have to be. Naturally, getting kids to remain quiet and still, and engaged at the same time, can be quite a task. That’s why we want to end on some tips to keep the kids entertained, throughout your educational fishing experience.

Bring Refreshments

Staying hydrated is the key to keep[ing everybody comfortable. Likewise, bring some tasty snacks to occupy the kids with if they start to get a little restless. After all, keeping bellies full reduces the chance of those hangry monsters making an appearance!

Take Note of the Con-“wee”-nencies

With refreshments comes the need for toilet breaks. Kids are notorious for needing frequent bathroom breaks, so make sure there’s a restroom (or private tree) nearby. Perhaps packing a toilet roll is a good way to avoid any accidents.

Make Use of the Surrounding Area

Presumably, your fishing trip will also have some beautiful scenery. Make use of it, and explore the area if your young one starts getting the allusive ants-in-your-pants.

Invent Some Fun Games

If your child is particularly young, perhaps you could engage them in a game of eye-spy? Point out the wildlife in the area, and educate them with what’s around them! Take some binoculars with you, and really make the most of getting back to nature.

Break Them In

No need to jump straight in the deep end! Start with a short trip, see how they go, and gradually increase the length of the trips time-by-time.

Let’s Get Fishing!

Fishing with kids doesn’t have to be all that difficult. Introducing them to new hobbies, immersed in nature, is a fantastic way to develop their minds, bodies, and souls.

At your family attraction, providing these amenities, including the correct equipment, beautiful areas for fishing, and kid-friendly advice, could really help families who want to enjoy this quiet sport. Keep the adults happy, and the kids content, using our friendly tips. Happy fishing!