Zuma is the most underrated Paw Patrol pup. Many toys and games seem to just skip over him. But, he is my nephew’s favorite pup. So, when my daughter wanted a Paw Patrol themed birthday party, I knew we needed a super fun Zuma themed game. I took a classic magnetic fishing game and made it into a fun Zuma Paw Patrol Party game. I added the exciting dynamic of unlocking a prize chest by finding the fish with a key. Keep reading to learn how to make all the parts and pieces and set it all up Zuma-style.
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How to Set Up a Zuma Paw Patrol Party Game
Materials:
- Fish:
- Fishing pool:
- Magnetic fishing pole (or a dowel rod, string, and a magnet)
- Sign:
- 3 orange balloons
- Laminator (optional)
- Plastic bucket or storage bin
- Treasure chest with lock and key
How to Make Pool Noodle Fish:
First, cut a small section off a pool noodle and cut it in half. Kid safe knives actually work the best for cutting pool noodles. Then, cut fish fins out of the foam sheet and use hot glue to glue them on the pool noodle. Lastly, glue googly eyes on and stick a brad in the top. I adapted the idea for these fish from Happy Tot Shelf’s pool noodle fish.
How to Make a Magnetic Fishing Pole:
My fishing pole didn’t work great, so what I am telling you is slightly different (and hopefully better) than what I did. Or, you can just buy a magnetic fishing pole.
To start, get a dowel rod and tie a string to the end. Then, tie a small magnet with a hole in the middle of it to the end of your string. I used twine and a really small magnet, and all the twine fuzz kept blocking the magnet. So, the links I gave are to more uniform string and a slightly bigger magnet. Remember that magnets can be dangerous, so make sure you have it attached very well. And don’t let any children play with it unattended.
How to Set Up a Zuma Paw Patrol Party Game:
If you want to make a Zuma themed sign to mark your game, take three orange balloons and tie them together. Then, tape a picture of Zuma and game instructions to the balloons. Here is a copy of the instructions to all my Paw Patrol party games and here is the picture of Zuma that I used. I laminated both to make them last longer, but that is optional.
To set up this game, you will need a plastic storage bin or bucket and something you can lock with a key. A treasure chest would work well. Take your prizes and lock them in the treasure chest. For us this was a piece of the map for our Paw Patrol mission and then DIY Zuma pup badge necklaces later on. Then, take the key and stick it in the underside of one of your pool noodle fish. Place it and the rest of your fish in the water. I also set a bucket off to the side filled with fish, so younger kids could use less fish if they wanted.
How to Play Our Zuma Game:
To play our Zuma game, place a good number of fish in the water. Make sure one of them has the key. Then, let the child use the fishing pole to catch the fish by touching the magnet to the brad. Once they catch a fish, have them flip it over and check for the key. Let them keep fishing until they find the fish with the key. Once they find it, let them use the key to unlock the treasure chest and get their prize. Make sure there is an adult to help reset the game by putting the key back in the fish and more fish back in the water.
Conclusion of Our Zuma Paw Patrol Party Game
As I mentioned, the kids had some problems with the fishing pole that I made. If it had been better, I think this Zuma Paw Patrol game would have been a big hit. The fish were cute and the treasure chest was exciting to the kids. I just needed to make it easier to catch the fish. But, it is a good reminder that even though I want the games to be new for my kids, it would be helpful to have them play test things. That way I could improve them before their party.
Make sure to check out the rest of our Paw Patrol party ideas including our other pup themed games.
