Fishing Derby for little kids….info please

Hey all, I’ve got a friend who’s putting on a fishing derby this spring/summer. The main objectives are keeping the kids interested in what they’re doing, and making sure they have a good time. I gave her pointers like fishing for gills and crappies; fish that travel in packs that’ll keep em busy. She also is working on getting prizes ready for them and that kind of thing too.

So I’m wondering if you guys have any suggestions to make sure it’s success for her. I’m hoping some of you might have experience with this sort of thing and offer some tips to make it even more successful for her. I’ve had limited experience, so I’m not sure I’m much help. Anything you’ve got, I’m willing to listen to. Thanks in advance–

Would be fun to set up some type of large pool, or many little ones, that way when they catch one they can release it into the pool and play with it, watch it, poke it with sticks, name it fluffy and so forth. Seems whenever we get that first fish goes right into the bucket and they want nothing to do with a pole after, just play with their new friend, that is if I can pry them away from the minnow bucket first.

Every other year I help take the 4th and 5th grade kids out ice fishing for their aquaculture class.
The things that help for me is to find out a little something out about each one so you can engage in somewhat of a conversation.
Snacks and beverage are also a bonus. We pack uup containers of hot cocoa and scoobie snacks.
The best part for me is helping those kids that have never done any fishing before, which in this area is not many. Some bring nicer gear than what I own.
The kids will appreciate it! Good luck.

Old school Polaroid camera sounds like fun too. Take the pic and give it to the kid with their “trophy” catch to bring home, pin up on the fridge, show all his buddies that might want to attend the following year. Seems so many of our pics nowadays stay on the SD cards in our devices and never materialize into an actual pic.

Good stuff guys, I believe some of that wasn’t covered in our conversation, so that may help her out some. Thanks, and keep em comin!