Fishing for beginners - The very young.

Actually Catching Something.
Advice for Parents of Young Anglers

Fish Suppers for Sailors
A guide to fishing for yachtsmen.

A common query begins:

I have two children who are bursting to have a go at fishing. One is 5, the other is 7. I think the 5 year old will have difficulty with the casting part, but should be fine with the rest.

At 5 and 7 they're very young, 5 is really too young.

The 5 year old will have an attention span around an hour, the elder maybe twice as long. They will require considerable attention and I wouldn't take them together until they have enough experience to manage the basics for themselves - three or four sessions each in all probablility. You could take them together if you have another, patient and preferably experienced adult with you to take half the workload.

Another - slightly risky ploy would be to make a day out of a split treat (Say you take #1 fishing while #2 goes to the pool with Mum then swap over for the afternoon.)

Ideally they must catch something that can be be eaten - my kids have the idea that any fish caught are for eating. hence my initial thoughts are about sea angling.

With children that age I would leave sea fishing until you are at a suitable seaside venue for at least a weekend. Try to get in one or two -short- sessions each per day and they'll pick things up much faster.

I would prefer to start them on a small, really small, stream. Otherwise a seaside pier -with railings- would let them dangle a small bait down the side with a good chance of a few tiddlers.

But at that age they would have as much fun in rock pools with a hand net...