Magnetic Fishing Game: 8 BlogOn Placings 2025

A magnet swings low over a shoal of wooden fish. A small hand steadies the rod, waits for the pull, and lifts a catch into the air. Few games win a child's attention as quickly as this one.

The Magnetic Fishing Game is made from FSC-certified timber and tested to UKCA and CE standards, so the pieces that pass through small fingers are as sound as they are simple. It belongs among our wooden toys that are built to be handled daily.

At the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025 it placed in eight separate categories, judged by writers and parents who put toys through real family use. That breadth tells you something about a game that, on the face of it, asks only that you catch a fish.

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Eight placings, three age groups

The game was recognised across three age groups at once. It received 2nd in the Preschool category, 2nd in the Primary School category and a 3rd in the Toddler Toys category. A single toy rarely speaks to such a span of ages.

It also took 2nd in the Family Games category, which reflects how it draws the whole table in rather than keeping play to one child. Alongside that came 3rd placings in the Active Toys and Interactive Toys categories.

The learning side was noted too, with a 3rd in the Educational/STEAM category. And 3rd in the Influencers Choice category came from the people who spent time with it rather than simply looked at it.

Eight placings from one game is unusual, and we have gathered the full picture in our write-up of the magnetic fishing game's eight BlogOn placings. It sits within a longer run of recognition set out in our round-up of Jaques award-winning toys.

Awards are judging, not safety testing. The two are kept separate here: the placings reflect how a panel rated the game in play, while the UKCA and CE marks come from independent checks against the standards.

What the categories share is simple. A good first game should hold a toddler, satisfy a primary-age child and give a family something to do together. This one managed all three in the eyes of the judges.

How the magnetic fishing game is played

The rules are as plain as they come. A set of wooden fish is spread across the board or floor, each one marked so it can be hooked by a magnet on the end of a rod.

Players take turns to lower the rod and lift a fish clear. The magnet does the holding; the child does the steadying. Younger players often fish with both hands, and that is entirely fine.

You can keep score by counting the catch, or set a target, or simply fish until the shoal is empty and start again. The game stretches or shortens to suit the child in front of it.

For very small hands, the chunkier pieces in our Fishing Game for fine motor skills make an easier first catch, while Hook The Duck brings the same idea to a row of floating ducks.

Each version turns on the same quiet moment: the pause before the lift. That pause is where the game does its work, and children return to it willingly.

We have set out the differences between these sets in our guide to the best fishing games for toddlers, so you can match the right one to the age and the hands.

Nothing about the play is complicated, and that is the point. A child learns the rules in seconds and spends the next half hour mastering the movement rather than the instructions.

Fine motor skills, patience and turn-taking

Lowering a magnet onto a small target is a precise job. The hand must slow, the wrist must steady, and the eye must line up rod and fish before the pull. That is fine motor control at work, dressed up as a catch.

Patience follows naturally. A fish that slips off the hook teaches more than any reminder to wait; the child tries again, a little more carefully, and the lesson lands without a word from anyone.

Turn-taking comes with the format. One rod passing round a table means watching others fish, waiting for your go and holding your excitement until the rod reaches you. Those are large social skills carried by a small game.

Because the Magnetic Fishing Game suits such a wide span of ages, siblings can play together without one dominating. A toddler and an older child can share the same board and both find it worthwhile.

You will find the same qualities running through our children toys, where play that looks like fun is quietly building coordination and concentration.

We write more about this in our piece on award-winning wooden toys for toddlers, where the fishing game sits alongside others chosen for early hands.

None of this is forced on the child. The skills arrive because the game is enjoyable, and a child who is enjoying themselves will practise far longer than one who is being taught.

A game for the whole table

A fishing game is easily thought of as a solo activity, but it works best with company. Gather three or four players round a table and it becomes something closer to a party game.

Adults are not spectators here. Steadying a rod and timing a lift is satisfying at any age, and the gap between a four-year-old and a grandparent narrows over a shoal of wooden fish.

The game travels well, too. It sets up on a kitchen table, a lounge floor or a holiday cottage without fuss, and packs away just as quickly when the catch is done.

It keeps good company on the shelf. Many families reach for it alongside our traditional games and our board games, pulling it out when younger players want their turn at the table.

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 487 verified reviews, it has clearly found a place in a good many homes. That consistency across so many households says more than any single opinion could.

Family Games was one of the categories it placed in at BlogOn, taking 2nd, and the reason is here in the round of play. It gives everyone a job and a turn, which is all a shared game really needs.

When the fish run low, you tip them back and start again. The game ends only when the players decide it has.

Why simple games endure

The oldest games tend to be the simplest. They survive because the rules are easy to learn and the play is hard to exhaust, and a magnetic fishing game sits comfortably in that tradition.

Jaques of London has made games since 1795, run by the same family across every generation since. That long view teaches you which toys last and which are quickly set aside, and the ones that last are rarely the complicated ones.

Wood helps. A wooden set is made to be dropped, caught and handed down, and the FSC-certified timber in these games is chosen with that life in mind. You can read more about that thinking in our piece on award-winning sustainable wooden toys.

A simple game also leaves room for the child. There is no screen dictating the pace and no single correct way to play, so children invent rules, set challenges and fold the game into whatever story they are telling that afternoon.

That openness is why a plain fishing game can hold a toddler and a primary-age child alike, and why the BlogOn judges placed it across so many age groups at once.

You will find the same principle throughout our wooden toys: fewer features, more play. A game that asks little of a child often gives the most back.

Lower the rod, steady the hand, lift the catch. Games have been built on quieter pleasures than this, and few have lasted so long.

What parents say about the Magnetic Fishing Game

4.8 out of 5 from 487 verified Reviews.io reviews (as of 15 October 2026). These are real buyers, quoted word for word.

“Love this fishing game. It was a gift for a nephew aged 4 and was a great choice. The ‘fish bowl’ container works great to hold all the sea creatures for catching, it was soon discarded as the fishing game was extended to the floor and at one point pieces were ‘hidden’ amongst wooden building blocks. A great family game Quality product, colourful pieces Promising lots of fun Recommend”

★★★★★ Carol, verified buyer, 2024-10-17

“My grandson loves this game. He will be 3 in May and this helps his numeracy, his hand- eye coordination, and his recognition of the various colours. We sing “fishy” songs while we play and it also teaches him that if we don’t tidy up at the end then Lilian and Doreen, our 2 Frenchies will run away with the fish! Toy is beautifully made and packaged.”

★★★★★ Melanie B., verified buyer, 2024-03-09

“Fishing for fun and learning! I bought this for my granddaughter who is a year old and investigating everything. At this stage she is using the game for fine motor skills but the handy little sheet included with this game gives lots of learning with play ideas! Fabulous quality and many hours of playing for adults and their children, whatever age!”

★★★★★ Ros R., verified buyer, 2024-06-27

“This was a gift for our then 3 yr old girl last Christmas, a year on I'm reviewing because she still loves it! She's often asking me to play 'the fish game' and she invents all sorts of ways to play, with colours and counting along the way. Much nicer than most fishing games the box is sturdy, plus fish and rods lovely quality.”

★★★★★ Karen D., verified buyer, 2024-12-07

Read every review of the Magnetic Fishing Game

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnetic Fishing Game

What awards did the Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game win?

The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game placed in eight categories at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025. It received 2nd place in Family Games, Preschool, and Primary School categories. It received 3rd place in Influencers Choice, Active Toys, Educational/STEAM, Interactive Toys, and Toddler Toys categories. This breadth of recognition across age groups and play styles reflects how versatile the game is, appealing to toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-school children alike. Jaques of London has been making quality games since 1795.

What age is a magnetic fishing game for?

The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game suits a wide age range. At the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025 it placed in the Toddler Toys, Preschool, and Primary School categories, confirming its appeal from toddlers through to older children. Its simple mechanics make it accessible for very young players, while the competitive element — catching fish before opponents do — keeps older children engaged. It also placed 2nd in the Family Games category, meaning adults can join in too.

Does a fishing game help fine motor skills?

Yes. A magnetic fishing game encourages children to guide a rod, aim at a target, and lift fish out of the play area — all movements that develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. This practical dexterity practice is built into every turn of the game. The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game was placed 3rd in the Educational/STEAM category at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025, recognising its value beyond pure entertainment. Jaques of London has been crafting developmental games since 1795.

How do you play a magnetic fishing game?

Players each hold a small rod fitted with a magnet at the end of the line. Fish — each with a metal element — are placed in the play area. Players dangle their rods to attract and lift fish from the board or pool. Caught fish are collected, and the player who catches the most wins. The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game supports solo or multiplayer play and was recognised in the Family Games category at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025, making it suitable for mixed-age groups.

Is a magnetic fishing game safe for toddlers?

The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game placed 3rd in the Toddler Toys category at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025, indicating it was assessed by parent bloggers and influencers as appropriate for that age group. Safety testing and awards judging are separate processes. If you have specific safety queries regarding small parts or materials, it is always advisable to check the product packaging and age guidance provided by Jaques of London directly before purchasing for very young children.

How many players can play?

The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game accommodates multiple players, making it suitable for family sessions and group play. Its placement in the Family Games category — where it received 2nd place at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025 — reflects its suitability for mixed groups. Whether played as a two-player contest or with a larger family gathering, the turn-based fishing mechanic scales naturally. Jaques of London, founded in 1795 and still family-run today, has a long tradition of designing games that bring people together.

Is a fishing game a good family game?

The Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game received 2nd place in the Family Games category at the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025, placing alongside recognised toys assessed by parent bloggers. Its multi-age appeal is backed by placings in the Toddler Toys, Preschool, and Primary School categories at the same awards. Simple enough for young children to join in, yet engaging enough for adults, it offers genuine shared play. Jaques of London has been crafting family games since 1795 and remains family-run to this day.

Is the Magnetic Fishing Game screen-free?

Yes, the Jaques Magnetic Fishing Game is entirely screen-free. Play centres on physical rods, magnets, and fish — no batteries, apps, or devices required. This hands-on format encourages concentration, turn-taking, and physical dexterity. At the BlogOn Toy Awards 2025 the game placed 3rd in the Interactive Toys and Active Toys categories, highlighting how engagement comes from the activity itself rather than a screen. Jaques of London, founded in 1795, has always focused on tactile, face-to-face play.

Sources

Every award on this page links to the organiser's own results page. Checked 2026-10-14.

• BlogOn Winter Toy Award Winners 2025 (BlogOn Toy Awards)
• Magnetic Fishing Game product page, Jaques of London
• Verified customer reviews: Reviews.io, Jaques of London store (live feed, 15 October 2026)