Kids color a paper fish, a phone scans it, and seconds later it swims across the big screen with everyone else's fish. Fishy brings the "color it and watch it swim" attraction to birthday parties, school fairs and company family days using a screen you already have.
How it works at an event
- Set up a coloring table. Print a stack of fish coloring pages and put out crayons or markers.
- Open the aquarium. Sign in at app.swimfishy.com, then open your aquarium's share link on a TV, projector or laptop that everyone can see.
- Scan. When a child finishes, a helper photographs the page with the Fishy app. Other phones can join by scanning the QR code on the aquarium screen.
- Swim. The fish appears in the shared tank. Kids run to the screen to find it.
Event ideas
Birthday parties
Make the aquarium the party's centerpiece: every guest colors a fish on arrival, and the birthday child's fish swims in first. It works for under-the-sea themes, but it also gives any party a calm activity between games and cake.
School fairs and open days
Run a coloring corner in the hall with the aquarium on a projector. Families can watch their child's fish join the school's tank. Teachers who like it can keep using it in the classroom; see Fishy for classrooms.
Corporate family days
A coloring table keeps younger guests busy while adults talk, and the shared screen gives the room a friendly focal point. Paper pages and crayons are cheap to supply for a large group.
Festivals, malls and community events
For a stand with steady foot traffic, keep a helper at the scanning point and remove older fish as the tank fills, so new arrivals always see their fish swim in.
Why not rent a digital aquarium?
Professional digital aquarium setups are impressive, and they come with real costs. Event-tech software such as Activation King's Digital Aquarium lists its Pro plan at $269 per month, with the computer, scanner and display bought separately. Full-service rentals bundle a screen, scanning system and attendant: one Dubai rental company lists an AI aquarium at AED 2,500 for four hours. Permanent exhibit kits such as SketchTank include a dedicated scanning station and are priced for museums and venues. (Prices as listed on those pages in November 2026.)
Those options make sense when you want staff, custom branding or a permanent installation. If you just want kids to color a fish and see it swim, Fishy does that with a phone and a screen. A family party at home can start on the free plan; a business event runs on an enterprise aquarium at $100 per month. Read the full comparison of sketch aquarium alternatives.
Tips for a smooth event
- Print more pages than you expect to need, and test-scan one page before guests arrive.
- Remind kids to leave the QR codes in the corners uncolored.
- Put the screen where children can see it from the coloring table.
- For themed events, use the Halloween anglerfish, or have kids color any outline in festive colors for a holiday party (see the Christmas coloring page).
Pricing
Personal plans are for home use: free for up to 6 fish, or $5 per month for up to 30 fish. Events run by a business, school or organization use the enterprise plan at $100 per aquarium per month or $1,080 per aquarium per year. Compare plans on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do we need for an event?
A TV, projector or computer screen with a web browser, printed fish coloring pages, crayons or markers, and a phone to scan finished pages. There is no scanner or special computer to rent.
Which plan covers a birthday party at home?
A family party at home is personal use. The free plan allows up to 6 fish, and the personal plan allows up to 30 fish in one aquarium for $5 per month.
Which plan covers a business or organization event?
Events run by a business, school, venue or event company are commercial use and need the enterprise plan: $100 per aquarium per month or $1,080 per aquarium per year.
How many fish can be on screen?
Paid aquariums hold up to 30 fish. At a busy event, remove older fish to make room for new ones; the aquarium owner can tap a fish and remove it.
Can guests scan their own drawings?
Yes. Other phones can join the aquarium by scanning the QR code shown on the aquarium screen, so a parent or helper can add fish too.
How long does setup take?
Minutes. Print the pages before the event, open the aquarium share link on the screen, and put crayons on the table.