What can I use instead of paper fish?

Use large flat paper shapes, laminated fish, or chunky toy fish that are easy to see and safe under close supervision. Avoid tiny pieces, torn scraps, or anything that could fit fully in your child's mouth.

Does my child have to sit inside the laundry bin?

No. If sitting in the bin is not safe or comfortable, place the bin in front of your child as the boat and have them drop each catch into it from the floor.

What kind of colander works best?

A lightweight colander with a handle or easy-grip rim is simplest for this scoop-and-drop game. Skip heavy metal colanders, sharp edges, or anything that makes your child lean farther than feels steady.

Back to library

Toddler sitting in a steady laundry-bin boat and scooping paper fish with a colander while a grown-up watches nearby.

PretendDevelopmental supportRepeat LoopIndoor

Laundry Bin Fishing Boat.

Use the bin, colander, and a few fish only. Skip the paddle, set one fish right at the front edge, catch one or two fish into the boat, and stop.

A laundry bin boat, paper fish, and colander make an easy pretend fishing game.

PretendDevelopmental supportRepeat LoopIndoor

Laundry Bin Fishing Boat.

A laundry bin boat, paper fish, and colander make an easy pretend fishing game.

Play time

5+ min

Age

2-3 years

Energy

Low

Mess

Low

Effort

Low

Where

Indoor

Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort

6 things

What you need

1 empty laundry bin
1 colander
3 to 5 paper fish or small toy fish
1 wooden spoon for optional pretend rowing
1 child
1 adult

5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop

Step 01

On a clear indoor floor, place 1 empty laundry bin with the open side up and spread 3 to 5 fish just outside the front edge and sides where your child can reach them without leaning far out.

Step 02

Inside the bin, place the colander where your child can grab it right away, and keep the wooden spoon beside the bin only if your child likes the pretend boat part.

Step 03

In the bin, seat your child facing the fish, stay beside the bin to steady it if needed, and slide 1 fish close to the rim for an easy first catch.

`Net a fish.`

The loop

How play unfolds.

Multi-panel sequence showing a child in a laundry-bin boat scooping a fish, dropping it inside, rowing once, and catching another fish.

1
Tap the bin like a boat, hand your child the colander, and say, `Let's go fishing. Scoop one fish into the boat.`
2
Your child traps or scoops 1 fish with the colander, lifts it over the rim, and drops it into the bin.
3
Name the catch with one short line like `You caught a fish,` point to the next easy target, and allow 1 quick wooden-spoon row if your child likes the boat story.
4
Repeat the same scoop-and-drop turn until all the fish are in the boat, a few calm catches are done, or your child starts climbing out or losing interest.

01
Tap the bin like a boat, hand your child the colander, and say, `Let's go fishing. Scoop one fish into the boat.`
02
Your child traps or scoops 1 fish with the colander, lifts it over the rim, and drops it into the bin.
03
Name the catch with one short line like `You caught a fish,` point to the next easy target, and allow 1 quick wooden-spoon row if your child likes the boat story.
04
Repeat the same scoop-and-drop turn until all the fish are in the boat, a few calm catches are done, or your child starts climbing out or losing interest.

Safety Check

Stay beside the bin so it does not tip, skid, or pinch fingers while your child reaches over the rim.
Keep the fish and any scraps large enough for close toddler supervision, and remove torn paper or loose pieces right away.
If you use the wooden spoon as a paddle, keep rowing gentle and stop if it starts swinging near faces or eyes.
Choose another setup if your child cannot sit safely in the bin or gets too wobbly reaching over the rim.

Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder

Level 1 (Start)

Boat ready. Catch one fish.

Level 2 (Keep going)

One more fish in the boat.

Level 3 (Stretch)

Try the fish on the other side.

Level 4 (Extend)

Row once, then catch again.

If your child seems...

What you'd see

Focused

What to do

Say

`You got one. Find one more.`

Add

Ask one light prompt like, `What color fish did you get?`

Extend

Let your child do one quick row before the next catch.

Make it easier

Younger end

-Turn the bin so all the fish sit in 1 front corner instead of around both sides.
-Rest the front edge of the colander on the floor so your child can slide under a fish instead of lifting the whole net first.
-Tap the next fish with your finger before each turn so your child tracks only 1 target.

Make it harder

Older end

+Alternate catches from the left side and right side of the boat.
+Wait for your child to show `more` with a word, sound, or gesture before you point to the next fish.
+Keep 1 fish a little farther away, but still within a safe lean, so the scoop needs a longer reach.

If it's not working

If you see

If child ignores it

Do one exaggerated catch yourself, drop the fish into the bin, and hand the colander right back for a turn.

If you see

If child misuses it

If your child grabs fish by hand or only paddles, allow one quick pretend turn, then move 1 fish close and cue `Net this one` with the colander already in place.

If you see

If child gets frustrated

Hold the bin steady, slide 1 fish right to the rim, and count that easy scoop-and-drop as the win before you end.

Skill spotlight

Repeat Pretend Play Steps

Repeating a simple fishing trip routine

This helps a toddler stay with 1 short pretend job, move 1 object into a clear target, and keep the same play pattern going for another turn.

•The same scoop, lift, drop, and reach-again loop gives your child a short pretend routine they can repeat without learning a new rule each turn.
•The bin, fish, and colander make the next step visible, so the grown-up can use pointing and a few short words instead of a long explanation.
•Misses are easy to repair by moving one fish closer or steadying the bin, which keeps the activity from turning into a test.

Real-world transfer