From the Toysit archive
Splashy the Whale
A blue whale, green fishing rod and colorful sea objects introduce Splashy the Whale, plus an original dry harbor lost-and-found story.
The play at a glance
A whale with a mouthful of treasures
Splashy’s bright blue body rises from a wave-like base, with a pink open mouth at one end and a tail lifted at the other. A green fishing rod waits beside a scatter of colorful little objects. It is a wonderfully theatrical tabletop scene: the whale has collected things, and someone has to retrieve them.
A careful reach and a surprise
The earlier description gives Splashy a playful rhythm: reach into the mouth with the rod, try to lift an object, and wait to see whether a spray interrupts the turn. It describes both a tongue-triggered surprise and an unpredictable one, with points deciding the game. The complete account remains below.
The picture gives that premise a strong character. The enormous mouth becomes a tiny stage, while the raised tail makes the whale look as though it has just surfaced. Players can imagine what each object was doing before it arrived there.
Open a harbor lost-and-found
For a dry cooperative story, draw a large whale on paper and make four large object cards: an anchor, a ring, a fish and a little boat. Place them around the drawing. One person becomes the harbor clerk and describes an object for a partner to retrieve by hand.
“I am looking for something that helps a boat stay in one place.” Once the anchor card is chosen, invent its owner and the place it should return to. Perhaps a tiny tugboat is waiting beside the lighthouse. Another card might belong at the sailing club or a make-believe sea parade.
Swap jobs after each return. Add a destination drawing to the back of every card, then arrange all four as a tour of the harbor. The story ends when every object has found a home; this paper version has its own cooperative ending, separate from the original game’s scoring.
Keep the tabletop game’s instructions close
For a surviving game, an adult should identify its edition and obtain the matching instructions before adding water, fitting batteries or operating it. Follow that edition’s setup and emptying guidance. This electronic tabletop game belongs on its instructed play surface, away from baths and pools. The paper harbor is ready whenever a dry story is the better fit.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Recover treasures from Splashy's mouth in this game from Pressman
Splashy has many things in his mouth: anchors, fish bones, even a submarine. On your turn, use the fishing rod to try to remove something, but watch out. He willll spray you with water if you touch his tongue, or sometimes just when he feels like it. You will not get any points when that happens. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins. For two or more players, ages five and up.
Whales are often the subject of fascination and wonder for children, capturing their imaginations in a way few other animals can. These magnificent sea creatures are not only enormous in size but also exude a sense of mystery and majesty that can be incredibly appealing to young minds. Many children are captivated by the idea of these gentle giants swimming through the vast oceans, singing their haunting songs, and displaying intelligent behaviors like teamwork and communication. Whether children encounter whales through books, documentaries, or even lucky enough to see them in their natural habitat, the experience often leaves a lasting impression. Whales also feature prominently in folklore and children's literature, further deepening their allure. For many kids, whales symbolize adventure, exploration, and the limitless possibilities of the natural world.
Sources and editorial notes
The retained photograph shows a Pressman box marked five-plus. Exact Pressman instructions were not recovered. Indexed text of a later IDEAL/John Adams leaflet, carrying a 2016 code and four-plus label, was reviewed only as a comparison; its diagrams and edition match were not verified, and direct retrieval was blocked. Its setup, age, scoring and care details are not transferred here. Original Pressman rules and player-count claims remain attributed to the earlier account. The dry harbor activity is original editorial play. No physical testing or recall clearance is claimed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Later IDEAL Splashy leaflet: comparison only — Indexed leaflet text reviewed; different age label and unverified diagrams prevent treating it as the pictured Pressman instructions.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.