•  
Remember this little guy? Oh yes you do! An excellent travel toy. Just don’t dampen the ring-catching fun by messing with the stopper.
<p><strong>Toy Description</strong></p> <p>Plastic capsule has a single push button at the bottom, and a rubber stopper on top. Just remove the stopper, fill with water, and get to playing. Pressing the button forces air into the capsule, making a current that moves the dolphin (swordfish?) and tosses the rings.</p> <p><strong>Play</strong></p> <p>The goal is to collect all the rings on the dolphin&rsquo;s (swordfish&rsquo;s?) nose. The key is to get a gentle enough current going near the end to help float the last few rings to where they need to be.</p> <p>Check out this video&nbsp;by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zCO_5_1SUH4" linktype="3" target="_blank">Lucky Penny Shop</a> to see how it works.</p> <p><strong>Observations</strong></p> <p>Deceptively easy looking, collecting all the rings actually takes a combination of patience and skill. Though there is only one button, it can be pressed with different amounts of pressure. Quick presses that get the rings soaring work just fine in the beginning, but once the game is down to the last few rings, gentle presses that are well timed will be required. This game really works those thumbs.</p> <p>Nostalgic for many readers, this toy will likely get as much play from surrounding adults as children if it&rsquo;s brought out during a birthday party of holiday celebration. A number of users purchased this toy as an office desk decoration that serves to distract for just a few minutes when a mental block needs to be broken.</p> <p>Often used a travel toy, this is a fine option for long car rides so long as children are not tempted to play with the stopper. A soggy car is a sad car.</p> <p>These can also be taken onto planes, so long as they are filled with water AFTER getting past the security gates.</p> <p>The stopper itself does the job, but it isn&rsquo;t super difficult to remove. A dexterous 1 year old could pull it out, flooding the area. This is the main reason why we suggest adhering to the manufacturer&rsquo;s suggested age for use. Meant for children 3 and up, this toy should really only be given to kids who can resist the temptation to poke and prod the stopper. &nbsp;</p> <p>One complaint that we have received from a few users regards some leaking. For the most part, the toy is built well, with most users having no problems of any kind. For those that do, it seems to come from around the button. There can be some leaking from the stopper if the toy is not kept upright, but that&rsquo;s to be expected. We suggest filling the toy with water upon arrival just to make sure there are no leaky areas.</p> <p>The rings can sometimes get stuck behind the dolphin/swordfish. Usually, turning it upside down and knocking it around a bit will get them back out, but if they&rsquo;re really stubborn, a wire coat hanger (or any wire) can be used to poke around.</p> <p>We&#39;re pretty sure it&#39;s a swordfish.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Care</strong></p> <ul> <li>Don&rsquo;t drop it</li> <li>Wipe down with damp cloth</li> <li>Keep upright to avoid spills</li> </ul> <p><strong>Parts and Pieces</strong></p> <p>TOMY also makes a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOMY-T7223-Water-Games-Pelican/dp/B001I26JMC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1469127197&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=tomy+pelican&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=80b668dfa6b48ed8028a57579c18930d" linktype="3" target="_blank">Pelican version</a>. Or, get <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Needle-Dolphin-Pelican-Catch-Water/dp/B00S00BQQO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1469127274&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=tomy+water+games&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=toti08-20&amp;linkId=a283960711d916e752cddd4d6d000cd6" linktype="3" target="_blank">both in a bundle</a>.</p> <p><strong>Concerns</strong></p> <p>Don&rsquo;t give this toy to children who will be tempted to play with the stopper unless cleaning up water spills is just personally thrilling.</p>
Water Games Dolphin
Date published: 2016-07-21
8.00 / 10 stars

Water Games Dolphin

by TOMY
current stage2016-07-21

Bragging rights will be rightfully earned when that last ring is snagged. Using no batteries or fancy electronics, a single button changes the water currents inside the capsule, propelling the little rings towards the nose of a so-called-dolphin. We’re pretty sure it’s a swordfish.

Pleasing adults as well as young children, this toy is good to take on travel trips, leave on desks for those quick work breaks, or just when some focused yet quiet play is needed. The stopper comes out pretty easily, so don’t give this toy to children under 3 since they’re likely to mess with it. Though most people receive toys without any issues, a few individuals have received toys that leak around the button area. 

  • Fun Water Games, Dolphin
  • Fun Water Games, Dolphin
Fun Water Games, Dolphin
Overall8.00
This measure how often, for how long, and how many different ages will play with this toy. A great toy will be loved for years, and is still wanted as the child grows.
Replay
  • 8.00
 
This measures the quality of the materials and production processes used.
Quality
  • 8.00
 
This scores how well a toy encourages critical thinking, pattern recognition, and memory improvement.
Cognitive
  • 8.00
 
Including both gross and fine motor skills, this measure how much this toy engages and challenges physical mobility, body awareness, and coordination.
Motor
  • 8.00
 
This measures how likely a toy is to spark social play between children or how well it teaches socially healthy behavior.
Social
  • 6.00
 

Product Specs

Age 3+
Made in China
Recalls No
Batteries None
Materials Plastic
Choking Hazard Not if used appropriately
Date Reviewed 07/21/2016

Where to Buy

Amazon $11.99
Pros
  • Practice fine motor skills and pressure control
  • Just add water
  • Good travel toy
Cons
  • A few reports of leaky button area
Detailed Review

Toy Description

Plastic capsule has a single push button at the bottom, and a rubber stopper on top. Just remove the stopper, fill with water, and get to playing. Pressing the button forces air into the capsule, making a current that moves the dolphin (swordfish?) and tosses the rings.

Play

The goal is to collect all the rings on the dolphin’s (swordfish’s?) nose. The key is to get a gentle enough current going near the end to help float the last few rings to where they need to be.

Check out this video by Lucky Penny Shop to see how it works.

Observations

Deceptively easy looking, collecting all the rings actually takes a combination of patience and skill. Though there is only one button, it can be pressed with different amounts of pressure. Quick presses that get the rings soaring work just fine in the beginning, but once the game is down to the last few rings, gentle presses that are well timed will be required. This game really works those thumbs.

Nostalgic for many readers, this toy will likely get as much play from surrounding adults as children if it’s brought out during a birthday party of holiday celebration. A number of users purchased this toy as an office desk decoration that serves to distract for just a few minutes when a mental block needs to be broken.

Often used a travel toy, this is a fine option for long car rides so long as children are not tempted to play with the stopper. A soggy car is a sad car.

These can also be taken onto planes, so long as they are filled with water AFTER getting past the security gates.

The stopper itself does the job, but it isn’t super difficult to remove. A dexterous 1 year old could pull it out, flooding the area. This is the main reason why we suggest adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested age for use. Meant for children 3 and up, this toy should really only be given to kids who can resist the temptation to poke and prod the stopper.  

One complaint that we have received from a few users regards some leaking. For the most part, the toy is built well, with most users having no problems of any kind. For those that do, it seems to come from around the button. There can be some leaking from the stopper if the toy is not kept upright, but that’s to be expected. We suggest filling the toy with water upon arrival just to make sure there are no leaky areas.

The rings can sometimes get stuck behind the dolphin/swordfish. Usually, turning it upside down and knocking it around a bit will get them back out, but if they’re really stubborn, a wire coat hanger (or any wire) can be used to poke around.

We're pretty sure it's a swordfish. 

Care

  • Don’t drop it
  • Wipe down with damp cloth
  • Keep upright to avoid spills

Parts and Pieces

TOMY also makes a Pelican version. Or, get both in a bundle.

Concerns

Don’t give this toy to children who will be tempted to play with the stopper unless cleaning up water spills is just personally thrilling.

Manufacturer's Description

Watergames by TOMY are a classic game of skill. Fill with water and push button to maneuver rings over the dolphin's nose.

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