Last Updated on September 10, 2026 by Daniel Globe
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A toy fishing game can look simple, but the details matter when you plan to use it around water and with a preschool-age child. The Small World Toys Catch of the Day Magnetic Fishing Game, model 3300100, combines a working rod and reel with a battery-powered fish that moves through a tub or pool. Its moving fish gives the game more action than a basic magnetic fishing set, but you also have batteries, small parts, and a single fish to consider. This review helps you decide whether that tradeoff makes sense for your child and your preferred play setup.
Quick Verdict
Rating: Recommended with caveats
Best For: Children ages 3+ who enjoy supervised bath, wading-pool, or pool play and want a moving target rather than static magnetic pieces.
Bottom Line: The moving 9 x 4-inch fish, working reel, and two magnetic lures create a more active fishing experience than a basic bath-toy set. The main tradeoffs are that you get only one fish and need two AA batteries, so it is better for focused solo play than a large multiplayer game.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Small World Toys |
| Model | 3300100 |
| Set name | Catch of the Day |
| Product type | Magnetic water-play fishing game |
| Recommended age | Ages 3+ |
| Fish size | Approximately 9 inches wide x 4 inches high |
| Included pieces | 1 battery-powered fish, fishing rod and reel, 2 magnetic lures |
| Material | Plastic |
| Power | 2 AA batteries |
| Batteries included | No |
| Primary use | Bathtub, wading-pool, and supervised pool play |
| Player setup | Best suited to one child at a time because one fish is included |
What Is the Small World Toys Catch of the Day Fishing Game?
The Catch of the Day is a magnetic fishing toy built around one moving fish rather than a group of static fish pieces. You place the battery-powered fish in suitable water, then use the working rod and reel to guide one of the two magnetic lures toward the fish.
The fish moves gently before it is caught. Once the magnetic lure connects at the fish’s mouth, the moving fish creates resistance and motion that imitates the feeling of reeling in a catch. That action is the main reason to choose this model over a simpler magnetic bath toy.
The set is intended for children ages 3 and older. It can support hand-eye coordination and fine motor practice because your child has to position the lure, watch the moving target, and operate the fishing rod rather than simply picking up a stationary piece.
Before You Buy: This set includes only one fish and requires two AA batteries. It also contains magnetic pieces and is intended for ages 3+, so use it with appropriate adult supervision, especially around water.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Children ages 3+ who enjoy pretend fishing and water play.
- Families who want a moving target instead of several stationary magnetic pieces.
- One-child play sessions where operating a rod and reel is part of the fun.
Skip If
- You want a battery-free bath toy with very little maintenance.
- You need several fish for two or more children to play simultaneously.
- Your child is under the manufacturer’s recommended age of 3 years.
Detailed Features
Battery-Powered Moving Fish
The centerpiece is a battery-powered fish measuring about 9 x 4 inches. Instead of waiting motionless for your child to touch it with a magnetic hook, the fish moves through the water. That movement makes lure placement harder and gives your child a changing target to follow.
This feature also creates the product’s main maintenance requirement. The fish needs two AA batteries, and batteries are not included in the confirmed product information. If you want a toy that can go straight into the bath without checking or replacing batteries, a simpler magnetic set may be easier to own.
Working Rod and Reel
The included fishing pole has a working reel, which gives your child an extra physical action beyond simply lifting a magnetic piece. Turning the reel while controlling the line can make the play feel closer to pretend fishing and gives small hands another movement to practice.
An adjustable-length pole is not confirmed in the verified specifications. You should therefore buy this set for its working rod-and-reel action, not because you expect the pole to extend for different heights.
Two Magnetic Lures
The set comes with two magnetic lures. Having a spare is useful because the lure is an important part of the catching mechanism. The goal is to guide the magnet toward the fish’s mouth until it connects.
The magnetic system keeps the basic play pattern easy to understand for a preschooler, but accurate placement still takes some practice because the fish itself is moving.
Plastic Water-Play Design
The toy is made primarily from plastic and is designed for pool or bathtub play. That makes it different from wooden magnetic fishing games, which are usually intended for dry indoor surfaces.
Because the powered fish combines batteries with water use, you should inspect the toy regularly and follow the manufacturer’s battery and water-use instructions. Stop using it if the battery compartment, casing, magnets, line, or other parts become damaged.
Pro Tip: Test the fish and reel before putting the toy in the water. Your child can then focus on learning how to lower the magnetic lure and reel the fish in instead of waiting while you troubleshoot the setup.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Bathtub Play
A bathtub provides a relatively contained area, so the moving fish cannot travel very far from the lure. That can make the first few attempts easier for a child who is learning to control the rod and reel.
Keep normal bath supervision in place. The toy is entertainment for bath time, not a water-safety device, and it should never replace direct adult supervision.
For a Wading Pool
A shallow wading pool gives the fish more room to move than most tubs while still keeping the play area manageable. Your child has to follow the fish visually and reposition the lure, so the moving target becomes more meaningful than it is in a very small container.
For a Swimming Pool
The toy can add variety to supervised pool play, but a large pool also gives the fish more room to move away from your child. Keeping the game within a defined shallow play area can make catching the fish less frustrating.
Normal pool-safety rules always come first. A toy should not encourage a child to enter deeper water or move beyond the area where you can supervise directly.
For Travel and Storage
The set has relatively few components: one fish, one rod and reel, and two magnetic lures. That is easier to keep track of than a fishing game with many small fish pieces.
The powered fish does add a battery-storage consideration. If you plan to store the toy for an extended period, follow the battery manufacturer’s storage guidance and check the compartment before the next use.
Setup Tips Before First Use
- Have two AA batteries ready. The powered fish needs them, and confirmed product information states that batteries are not included.
- Inspect the fish before water use. Make sure the battery compartment and exterior are properly closed and undamaged.
- Practice the reel on dry land. Show your child how raising and lowering the line changes the lure position.
- Start in a small play area. A tub or small wading pool can make learning easier than a large swimming pool.
- Keep both magnetic lures together after play. Storing the pieces with the rod reduces the chance of losing a key part of the game.
- Dry and inspect the toy after use. Follow the product instructions for care and discontinue use if any powered or magnetic component becomes damaged.
Safety and Materials
The confirmed product information identifies plastic as the primary material and recommends the toy for ages 3 and older. Retailer safety information also warns about small parts, so the age recommendation should be taken seriously rather than treated as a general suggestion.
Water use adds another layer of supervision. Stay close enough to directly supervise your child during bath or pool play. Keep loose batteries away from children, install them according to the product instructions, and do not use the powered fish if its battery compartment or housing appears damaged.
Magnets also deserve normal toy-care precautions. If a magnetic component comes loose or the lure becomes damaged, stop using the set and keep the loose part away from children.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Battery-powered fish creates a moving target instead of static fishing pieces.
- Working rod and reel add more physical interaction to the fishing play.
- Two magnetic lures are included.
- 9 x 4-inch fish is large enough to act as a clear target in a tub or pool.
- Suitable for supervised bathtub, wading-pool, and pool play for ages 3+.
Cons
- Only one fish is included, which limits simultaneous multiplayer play.
- Requires two AA batteries, adding maintenance compared with battery-free sets.
- Water, batteries, magnets, and small components mean appropriate adult supervision is important.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Catch of the Day sits closer to a mid-range interactive toy than a bare-bones magnetic bath set. You are paying for the working reel and the powered fish movement, not for a large number of pieces.
It makes the most sense if that movement is the feature your child will enjoy. A preschooler who likes following moving objects, pretending to fish, and repeatedly reeling in the same catch may get more from this design than from a static set.
It offers less value if your priority is quantity or multiplayer play. Because only one fish is included, a family with two children who want to fish at the same time may prefer a set with several targets and more than one rod.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Munchkin Fishin’ Bath Toy takes a simpler approach with one magnetic rod and three floating magnetic characters. It is a better comparison if you want several targets, no powered swimming fish, and a bath-focused design.
The Melissa & Doug Catch & Count Fishing Game goes in another direction. It uses wooden fish, two working wind-up rods, and multiple pieces for matching, counting, and two-player activity. It is better suited to structured dry play, while the Small World Toys Catch of the Day stands out when you specifically want a battery-powered fish moving through water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the Small World Toys Catch of the Day suitable for?
The confirmed product information recommends the fishing game for children ages 3 and older. Because the set includes magnetic components, a powered fish, and small parts, you should follow that age guidance and supervise water play.
What comes with the fishing game?
The set includes one battery-powered fish, one fishing rod with reel, and two magnetic lures. The fish is approximately 9 inches wide by 4 inches high.
What batteries does the fish need?
The fish requires two AA batteries. Current product information indicates that the batteries are not included, so it is worth having a pair ready before you give the toy to your child.
Can you use it in a bathtub or swimming pool?
Yes. The Catch of the Day is designed for water play, including tubs and pools. Direct adult supervision is still required whenever a young child is playing in or around water.
How many fish are included?
One battery-powered fish is included. That keeps the game simple for solo play, but it can be limiting if two children want separate fish to catch at the same time.
Is the fishing pole adjustable for different heights?
An adjustable-length feature could not be confirmed in the verified specifications. The confirmed feature is a working fishing rod and reel, so you should not purchase it specifically because you expect an extendable pole.
Is this a good choice for two children?
It is better suited to taking turns than simultaneous fishing because the package includes one rod and one fish. For two children who want to fish at the same time, a multi-rod, multi-fish set may be more practical.
Who should skip this fishing game?
Skip it if you want a battery-free toy, need several fish for group play, or are buying for a child under age 3. A simpler magnetic bath set may also be easier if you prefer fewer powered components around water.
The Bottom Line
The Small World Toys Catch of the Day is worth considering when you want a supervised water-play toy with a moving fish, working reel, and simple magnetic catching action for a child age 3 or older. Its biggest strength is the powered fish movement, while its biggest limitations are the single-fish setup and need for two AA batteries.
Choose it for focused pretend fishing and active hand-eye practice. Skip it if you need battery-free simplicity or a multiplayer set with several fish and rods.
