Lake Activities for Kids

Pack up the car and head for your local beachfront -- it's time for some fun with lake activities for kids.

There are plenty of crafts and activities for the family to do on a mini-vacation at the local beach. These activities will teach you about the local wildlife and might even enable you to catch some fish.

Follow these links to learn more about lake activities for kids.

Do-It-Yourself Snorkel Mask

With just a few common household items, you can spy on underwater critters in their natural habitat. Learn more.

Homemade Fishing Rod

It's Huck Finn all over again with this easy-to-make fishing gear. Find out how to make a homemade fishing rod.

Keep reading to learn how to find out what's going on underwater!

For more fun outdoor activities, check out:

Spring Crafts
Kids' Crafts
Beach Activities
Easy Beach Activities for Kids

Do-It-Yourself Snorkel Mask

Now you can go snorkeling without even getting your face wet with the Do-It-Yourself Snorkel Mask!

So what's there to do when you're standing knee-deep in a lake and you're just not up for a swim? Use a "snorkel mask" to check out what's going on below the water's surface!

What You'll Need:

Plastic two-liter ice cream container
Safe scissors
Plastic wrap
Tape
Rubber bands

Step 1: Cut out the bottom of a large ice cream tub. Adults may want to do this step for younger children.

Step 2: Cover this hole (and the sides of the container) with a large piece of plastic wrap. Tape the wrap in place.

Step 3: To make sure the plastic wrap stays put, slide a rubber band over it at the top of the container. Do the same at the other end.

Now you're ready for some underwater exploring! Place the plastic-covered end of your mask in some shallow water. Then, look through the open end of the mask and see if you can catch a glimpse of plants and animals in their watery home. Be sure you don't get any water inside the mask, though, or it'll sink like a stone!

Keep reading and you'll learn to catch fish the old-fashioned way!

For more fun outdoor activities, check out:

Spring Crafts
Kids' Crafts
Beach Activities
Easy Beach Activities for Kids

Homemade Fishing Rod

Your child doesn't need expensive equipment to catch fish. The fish don't care if you have a homemade fishing rod or a store-bought one.

What You'll Need:

Sturdy stick, four to five feet long
Fishing line
Safe scissors
Fish hook
Plastic bobber
Bait

NOTE: The best type of stick for your fishing rod is strong, yet slightly flexible. Bamboo, about one half-inch thick, would be ideal. Find something similar in your own yard or campground.

Step 1: Tie one end of the fishing line to the handle (use the thicker end of the stick as the handle). Wrap the line in a spiral around the stick until you reach the tip. Tie the line firmly to the tip, but don't cut the line yet.

Step 2: Unroll the line about a foot longer than your stick, and cut it off the roll. You should have a continuous length of fishing line extending from the handle of your stick down to the hook. (That way, if the fishing rod breaks in the middle, you still have the line in your hand.)

Step 3: Tie a hook to the end of the line. Fasten a bobber to the middle of the line. You'll want to use a ball-shaped red and white bobber with a spring-loaded hook that will fasten it anywhere on the line.

Now you're ready to fish! For bait, use worms or other material from a sporting goods store.

For more fun outdoor activities, check out:

Spring Crafts
Kids' Crafts
Easy Beach Activities for Kids

ABOUT THE CRAFT DESIGNERS:

The following crafts were designed by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, and Kelly Milner Halls.

Do-It-Yourself Snorkel Mask

Homemade Fishing Rod