Wind-up Swimming Fish

The premise behind the wind-up swimming fish is the idea that motion in water can be generated by simple back and forth movement, and the principles of magnetic attraction. The basic idea is that when wound, the fish would swim for a moderate period of time, in a relatively straight path. When semi-buoyant smaller fish are placed in the water as well, a child can wind and place the large fish in the water with the goal of attempting to devour one or more of the smaller fish. As the fish could be color-coded, so could children make a contest of trying to devour specific fish before the other, or attempt to devour the opponent's fish. Unfortunately, the children would have to wind the fish up after it stops, but this is true of any wind-up toy.

The production cost of this particular toy would be relatively low. This is due to the vast availability of wind-up parts that could be used in the fish and the inexpensive nature of small, low strength magnets and plastics that can be used for such a toy. As these parts are relatively inexpensive (as seen in the price of wind-up toys currently), the production cost of this particular toy would be projected as being relatively low.

The durability of this toy would also be relatively high. Since the casing would be made of plastics, and would protect the more delicate inner workings of the fish, the fish would be able to sustain a moderate level of abuse before ceasing to function properly. This is also true of the play environment. Since plastic is relatively hard to damage in water, proper use of this toy would make it even more durable. This is not to say that one well placed throw into a slab of concrete would not crack the fish and cause it to sink in water, but even then, the fish would be able to swim to some extent. As such, it is projected that the durability of this toy would be rather high.

Safety would largely depend on the final production size of the toy itself. Were the smaller fish to be larger than the choking hazard size, the fish themselves would be relatively safe for play with very few sharp edges, and a durable plastic coating keeping smaller choking hazards inside the fish. However, there is still a risk that children could manage to break the toy and choke on the smaller pieces, but this can also be said of most toys. As such, this toy would be projected to be very safe for children to play with. The ideal age group would be 5-8. Old enough to wind and operate the toy, but young enough to not find it completely juvenile.