If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a kid who loves fishing, look no further. Here are some great gift ideas that they’ll appreciate and which will help accelerate their love for the sport and the outdoors. Whether you’re buying for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or just a friend, you can rest assured that these recommendations are going to be a hit.
This is a bit of a long post so here are some helpful links to take you were you want on the page:
Stuffed Animals
Younger children love stuffed animals, and a plush northern pike like the one below makes for a much more unique toy than your standard teddy bear!
A variety of fish species are available. Here are some of my kids favorites (click any picture for more information on the product).
In addition to the realistic stuffed animals above, here are a few that might make you smile. Anyone reading their kids “The Pout Pout Fish” or “The Rainbow Fish” lately? Well here they are in all their fuzzy glory:
Toys
Little kids will always love toys, and if they’re into fishing, a toy bass boat is hard to beat. Here are a few options out there that they are likely to enjoy.
Fishing Action Figures
I never had one of these growing up, but wish I did. I bought one for my son when he was younger and I think I’m going to have to buy this one below for him again now that we have a pool to play in.
The bass boat above comes with great little details such as a trolling motor and even twin power poles. It pairs with the Big Country Toys’ Ford F250 and AMAZING fishing play mat (THIS is DEFINITELY making it under our tree this year)! Click on the link to check it out and try to tell me it isn’t awesome!
Playmobil Fisherman
Playmobil is a consistent winner in my house and this toy fisherman would make the perfect stocking stuffer.
A Quintessential Fishing Game
This game has been around for awhile and was a hit at my house. It’s a fun game you can play with your kids, but there are many small pieces, so wait until they’re a little older. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.
A Cool Fishing Bath Toy
Something like this could keep the kids engaged throughout their bath and even convince ones who aren’t so crazy about the tub to hop on in for some fun.
This one does run the risk of getting mom or dad soaked, but your kids will certainly enjoy it.
Books
One of the greatest thing about fishing is that it’s such a thinking person’s sport that one can’t help but want to read more about it. Some of the earliest books I ever read had to do with fishing, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that the sport helped engender a love of reading within me.
You can find a detailed review for most of these books in an article I wrote about the best fishing books for kids, but suffice it to say, these are winners that I read my kids often. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Note that you can also read about more advanced fishing books in my article about the best fishing books I’ve ever read. Here are some of my favorites:
The American Boys Handy Book by Daniel Carter Beard
This book right here sparked more adventures in my mind than perhaps any other I read as a child. In it, you’ll find instructions on how to build everything from aquariums to rafts. It’s basically a field guide to the great outdoors. Click here to read more about it at Amazon.
Gone Fishing by Earlene Long
Of all the books I reviewed in this post, this one has stood the test of time with my son. He still routinely picks this one out and asks me to read it to him now and then. It’s not a bad read either. Sometimes when a kid gets stuck on a book it can be a little rough on the parent, but this is a quick one with fun pictures and you won’t stress about reading it 100 times. This makes it a great gift for any kid who likes fishing. You can purchase it at Amazon.
Outdoor IQ Ultimate Fishing Guide by Dave and Steve Shellhaas
This book is targeted towards children, though from the reviews it appears the type set is pretty small, so don’t necessarily expect it to be the best for younger kids. Even so, how many dinosaur books have you read with them that were a little beyond their scope? The key is in the pictures, and this book has plenty. You can find it at Amazon.
Freshwater Fishing for Kids by Melanie A. Howard
A book filled with great tips and directed at kids. I don’t own this one either, but judging from the reviews, it looks like this is a book more appropriate for kids who already know the basics, as some of the feedback is that not all terms are defined. Pick it up at Amazon.
The Three Little Bass and the Big Bad Gar by James Miller
I remain impressed by this book. Not so much for the story, which is basically just a spin off on the three little pigs, but the story behind how it was created. An eight-year-old and his mother teamed up to create this book and offer it for sale and enjoyment to the world. I think that’s a great story and one that perhaps you and your little one can draw some inspiration from. If you’re interested in showing your kids what is possible with a little imagination and dedication, pick this book up today.
Animals, Birds & Fish of North America, the Illustrated Encyclopedia of: A Natural History and Identification Guide to the Captivating Indigenous Wildlife of the United States of America and Canada by Tom Jackson
I loved these kinds of books when I was a kid. Each of the more than 420 creatures featured comes with a map showing where in the country one might find them, and a little excerpt describing the species in some detail. This is sure to provide hours of entertainment and would be a great book to give your kids before a long road trip. You can buy it at Amazon.
Northern Pike Secrets (An In-Fishermen Handbook of Strategies) by Al Lindner, et al
OK, so this book is definitely NOT marketed towards kids. So why would I include it? Because it has a special place in my heart. It is the first fishing book that I wore out cover to cover. Even though it’s extremely more technically oriented than most kids can stand, its first chapter discussing the history of northern pike is sure to put your children in wonder.
You might have some difficulty finding this book. As of writing, Amazon has a listing for several used copies, but you may need to go to e-Bay. On occasion, I’ve seen reprints of this series of books at various tackle shops, or for sale on the In-Fishermen website itself.
Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide by John Paxton
I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention my book. While it’s targeted towards parents, it could be a good companion gift (buy the kid the fishing rod, buy the parents this book, and watch things fall in place). You can purchase it at Amazon.
Clothes
While few of us look back at our time as kids and remember loving to unwrap boxes full of clothes, at least these are for their interest. You’ll probably get more mileage out of these than you would for some dress clothes for picture day.
Lucky Fishing Shirt
No one can leave home home without a lucky fishing shirt! I found when getting my kid used to dressing himself, having a supply of clothes he thought looked cool really helped. Anything with fish or dinosaurs passes the sniff test at the Paxton house.
This Kid Loves to Fish
Here’s another good one that your kids might like to wear. It’ll also show less worm gut stains as it is mostly black. Always a plus!
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Clothes
If you’re looking for something practical, UPF 50+ rated kids fishing clothes would make a great gift. The sun is a real enemy out there, especially when you’re distracted doing something fun. These shirts will minimize the amount of fuss you get over sunscreen and will protect your little ones from its harmful rays.
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Shirts
This one above follows my concept of “buy kids shirts they think looks cool.” Given the jumping bass, it’s a winner on that front. Check it out in further detail here.
Safety yellow is a great color that gives a bit of piece of mind out there on the water should something happen. You can purchase this one at this link.
UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Hats
My kids wear fishing hats similar to these. I appreciate the 360-degrees of protection that they afford from the sun, as we’re constantly moving while on the boat and can be hit from any angle. As a plus, the tykes look adorable in them.
This kind of model offers even more protection for the back of the neck. Let’s face it: where do you usually get sunburned? Bearing that in mind, it would be a great idea to pick this up at Amazon today.
Fishing Gloves for Kids
The first time my son saw “bass thumb,” it scared him. Even though adults know it is a mark of honor, to see your thumb so scuffed up can be a little traumatic for the little ones. Some gloves like these will prevent that and afford them some protection. As these have an anti-skid design, it’s also less likely your kid will be dropping as many rods in the lake – always a plus!!!
Fishing Video Games
Ideally, you’re trying to get your kids into fishing so they can spend time away from screens, but on the other hand, not all of us live someplace where we can fish year round, at least in comfort. Video games can help scratch that itch during the off season. Further, not for nothing, but let’s be candid here: wouldn’t you rather your children be playing a fishing video game than some first person shooter? At least they’ll learn a thing or two about the sport.
Here are some fishing video games available on the major platforms. Any of these would make a great gift for a kid who likes fishing and gaming. I’m not sure I’m sold that many adults would like these, as most fishing games tend to be designed more for younger folks (I personally haven’t cared much for a fishing video games since the awesome Bassin’s Black Bass with Hank Parker).
Nintendo Switch
We don’t own a Nintendo Switch, so I’m going to have to go based on some reviews out there, but I will say that Nintendo has a reputation to catering their video games more towards children than the other platforms, so these games will likely be well-received by little ones. Here’s a few that caught my eye.
Fishing Star World Tour
This seems to have different fish species than “The Strike” as well as some salt water ones. It’s quite cartoony with big flashing letters when fish are on. Go check out a few of the photos of it at Amazon and see if it’s something your kid might enjoy.
Bass Pro Shops The Strike: Championship Edition
People indicate that their kids enjoy the game. Given that its a Bass Pro Shops game, one would think it would have a bit more thought into it than most. Check the best price at Amazon.
As an added plus, this game is compatible with a cool gadget that turns your switch controller into a fishing rod, which kids should get a big kick out of. Here’s a youtube video of a guy using it to play the game.
Playstation 4
Note that some of these titles may also be available on other game systems. After following the links, consider poking about if you’re interested in buying one of these for a different system.
The Fisherman: Fishing Planet
This game boasts of having artificial intelligence that follows the behaviors of real fish. It also has claims to being the most realistic game, though I’m not sure how good that is in a fishing simulator. Follow this link for more information.
Legendary Fishing
Legendary fishing’s “hook” is that it’s a multiplayer game where each player competes for certain challenges, such as catching 2 fish with a certain lure in a certain time. Being able to play with friends will make for a more interactive gaming experience. More information on Legendary Fishing can be found here.
X-Box 1
As above, please note that many of these games may also be available on PS4, though a few are likely X-Box exclusives. After following the links, consider searching a little deeper to see what you can find if you’d really prefer this for a different system.
Rapala Fishing: Pro Series
A video game designed by one of the most iconic lure company’s on planet earth, this one boasts hundreds of different lures to choose from and unlock, giving kids goals to work towards. You can find it available for purchase at Amazon.
Here’s a video of Rapala Pro Fishing in action if you’d like to see how it plays before you buy it.
Pro Fishing Simulator
This game features over 75 fish species and hundreds of real life lures to catch them with, as well as some decent graphics. It could be fun for your kids to try out lures that they have in their own tackle box to see how they work. You can find more photos and user reviews on Amazon.
Gear
It goes without saying that any kid who is into fishing is going to be into getting fishing gear as a present. With that said, a lot of the stuff marketed towards children out there really isn’t best for them. Indeed, you’re basically buying the daydream effect of their having something fun to look at and play with and call their own, but if you wanted to buy them stuff that lasts, you’re better off parting it out. Here’s a few things to get you started.
Kids Fishing Rods
You might be tempted to go out and buy the first youth combo that you see. I wrote an article to help you wade through the options that you can read here.
Ugly Stik Elite
I wrote an entire article about why I think it’s a great fishing pole for kids that you can read here. In that post, you’ll learn why I think it’s one of the best fishing rods for kids.
If you don’t have time to read an entire article, suffice it to say that it’s an inexpensive brand that has legendary durability which makes it great for little anglers who might not be the most careful yet with their gear.
I have many of these in my rod box and recommend it to all parents. You purchase this great fishing rod as a gift for your kid at at Amazon.
St. Croix Panfish Series
Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love St. Croix rods. While their panfish series is more expensive than the Ugly Stik, it would make any outstanding gift for any kid who is old enough to appreciate (and maintain) fine fishing gear.
Frankly, I think these make great gifts for adults too. Many parents spend the first few years of their children’s fishing career exclusively targeting panfish. A dedicated panfish rod makes this significantly more fun than reeling them in on bass tackle or the like. Consider purchasing one for the parent too!
Kids Fishing Reels
I’m not one for buying the usual “kids” reels with the superheroes on them. Instead, I buy stuff that I think will last so I don’t have to buy it twice. With children, that can be a bit challenging, but here’s a link to an article I wrote that talks about different spinning reels out there that you can purchase. Of them, I’d consider your best bets to be the Pflueger Trion or Pflueger President. Smaller kids will do well with a size 20, while older ones would be better off with a 30.
Tackle
When it comes to taking kids fishing, not all tackle is created equal. I wrote a lengthy article discussing what fishing lures work well with kids that you can read here, but if you’re pinched for time, here are some solid recommendations that are safe for kids to use, and effective.
Strike King Bleeding Bait Spinnerbait
I really enjoyed throwing spinnerbaits with my dad when I was as young as six-years-old. They help kids learn how to cast for distance and accuracy, and catch fish to boot. It’s much more interesting to walk around casting something at likely targets than to sit around waiting for something to eat your worm. These spinnerbaits are durable and effective and make a good choice for children.
It’s also worth mentioning that these lures have a single large hook which is safer for children than smaller treble hooks, as it takes much more force to pierce the skin. Pick some up today!
Yamamoto Senko Kit
Yamamoto Senkos are some of the best baits for kids to use. All they need to do is “wacky rig” these lures, toss them out, let them sink, and usually before they hit the ground, a bass will smash them. If they don’t get a bite, they can retrieve them slowly with some “pops” allowing the bait to fall again on the retrieve repeatedly.
It’s a super effective and easy technique for kids to learn that will put them on fish. While you could buy the packs separately, this handy kit comes with several great colors and a tackle box to store them. It would also wrap much better as a present. I highly recommend purchasing one today.
Frog Nets
While not technically a “fishing” item, one thing I’ve learned this year is that kids absolutely love catching frogs, crayfish, minnows, and anything else that a throw net will capture. I’ve found that my son almost prefers this to actual fishing! Here are a few good options that will make for fun afternoons at your local pond.
I like the frog net below because it is squared at the top as opposed to rounded. This makes a difference because when reaching for a frog or crayfish, it will allow you to pin the net against the ground, reducing the chances your quarry escapes. You can find it, or something similar, at Amazon.
Just don’t forget to get the matching tee-shirt:
Baby Gifts
When my nephew was born I ran out searching for some good baby gifts for him. Here’s a link to an article filled with some ideas for what you could purchase if you’re in that same boat.
If you’re not interested in the full length article, this makes a pretty cute toy. It’s by VTech, so you know you can trust it around littles.
Here’s another one that would make any newborn smile:
Boats: the Ultimate Gift for Kids Who Love Fishing
OK, so it would be a bit crazy to get a child a boat, but here are some inexpensive rafts that you could buy for them that would spark a true sense of adventure. These would go great with a reading of Huckleberry Finn, in case anyone has some summer reading to get through. If you have a local pond, these can provide a neat little adventure for the two of you, especially if shore access is limited on one side (because “that’s where the good frogs are,” naturally).
Seahawk 3 by Intex
The Seahawk 3 by Intex is an inexpensive raft choice that would do fine for getting your kids across a small pond. I’m a little leery of fishing out of it or partaking in other activities that involve sharp objects, but it would be great for frogging. You can purchase it at Amazon.
Excursion 5 by Intex
The Excursion 5 is a step up from the Seahawk 3, as it’s rated for five people. While I wouldn’t recommend bringing five people out on it and expecting to do anything other than sit still, a larger raft can help if you have a few kids to bring along with you to that pond. More details are available at Amazon.
Gheenoe
Chances are if you’re not from Florida, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of a Gheenoe, but they’re amongst the best light water craft options for taking little kids out on the water. As such, they’d make a great gift for any family with kids who love fishing. I have an LT10 and love it, though I would caution you that it’s not much of a cartopper and you’ll really want a trailer unless you’re bringing two adults along.
You can find a local dealer by visiting their website here.
Conclusions
One of the best things about fishing with your kids is that it sparks a love of learning. Once hooked, kids will want to learn everything they can about fishing. It also can become a source of pride for them as they develop their skillset. These toys, games, books, and other gifts are great to keep a kid’s love of fishing going strong. If you know a little tyke who is enamored by the sport, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
I hope this post helped ease any stress you might have had about getting the perfect gift for your little angler. I’ll update it from time to time as I find other cool fishing gifts for kids.
Thanks,
John Paxton