I bought this for my daughter, new in the package at our local Goodwill, for $7.99, no tax. Its just a simple, colorful water toy. I filled a pasta pot 1/3 way with H20 and she has so much fun with it. She doesn't "get" the musical part, which is that the dolphins are hollow and have a whistle inside...when their head is tapped (they have to be floating in the life preserver ring) they make a short, pleasant little whistle. Eventually she'll figure that part out...she's 2 1/2 now -I'm actually kind of glad that they don't make too much noise, those musical toys drive my husband and I up the wall sometimes. I'm in no rush. This takes no batteries, is colorful and fun. If they fill up with water, they get emptied in seconds, it's not like they have to be completely shaken out. She likes to dunk them all the way down and then empty them out. So who cares if they aren't used the way they're "supposed" to be, she likes them for what they are. And for most kids, the box is more exciting than the toy inside, so I'm happy this has proved that wrong. I gave it high educational value marks because she likes the colors and matching. The rings on mine don't latch together, which is mis-represented, but again, I don't care about that either. For the price I paid, I already got my money's worth.