Dragon’s Breath Game is a high-quality kids’ game where players take turns acting as a dragon breathing fire and melting a pillar of ice, releasing the unusual sparkling treasure frozen inside. Kids will get a kick out of roleplaying as the dragon and then removing rings and spilling stones all over the game board. They’ll have to practice their reasoning skills because the game revolves around predicting which color of stones will fall each round, so you can scoop up the most points.
What is Dragon’s Breath Game?
Released in 2017 and a 2018 winner of the coveted Kinderspiel des Jahres award, Dragon’s Breath has quickly become a classic children’s game. It was released by (one of our favorite publishers) HABA games and designed for kids aged 5 and up, suitable for 2-4 players.
We here at the Board Game Collection actually recommend this a little younger, 4 and even 3. There’s a lot of luck involved here and at those, it will feel a bit more like they are picking their favorite color, as opposed to making a strategic bet – but that’s okay. They’ll still get a chance to practice fine motor skills, taking turns, and will become more skilled at making predictions over time.
The Story: rescuing sparkling stones frozen inside an ice column
The game is about four dragon children Mira, Feo, Luna, and Diego, who discover an unusual sparkling treasure: a column of ice with sparkling stones frozen inside. With some help from their Dragon dad and his fiery breath, sparkling stones start falling from the column and the dragon children quickly collect them.
Set-Up
Players each pick a character and hang their cardboard piece over the edge of one of the corners of the game box, which doubles as the board. This will be the corner where they will drop any gems they collect.
Set aside the sparkling stone tile for each different color gem, where everyone can reach them. Then stack up the blue rings in the center of the board and drop all 90 sparkling stones into the column.
The first player takes the wooden dragon dad and play begins.
How to play
In each round, one player will take the role of the dragon and will remove the top ring from the ice column. Before they do, players will take turns selecting a sparkling stone tile representing the color gem they think will fall in the greatest frequency that round.
Once the dragon player removes the ice ring the dragon children quickly collect all the gems matching their chosen color and drop them into their hole in the corner.
Players return their chosen color gem token to the supply, the first player passes the dragon to the left, and another round begins. This continues until all the rings are removed at which point players count up their gems and whoever has the most sparkling stones wins!
Game Components
Unique Game Board Features and sparkling stones
The game includes 1 dragon dad, 1 box base with 4 dividers, 1 game board, 4 dragon children, 9 plastic rings, 90 sparkling stones (18 in each of 5 colors), 5 sparkling stone tiles, 1 ice floe tile, and 1 set of instructions.
As we’ve come to expect from HABA, all of these components are very high quality. There is more plastic, than in previous HABA games, but it’s still a high-quality, durable product that can take whatever your kids throw at it. They’ll be handling the rings and gems a lot in the game, so that quality matters.
The game board has a unique design that makes storing the components easy, but I also like that the box is part of the game. Each player has a place where they can drop their gems rather than keeping them in front of them. This is nice, in case one player is far ahead of the others – because it doesn’t distract players from the game. It also makes it far less likely that gems go flying or are lost. They also added holes that make it easy to get rid of uncollected gems during the game, which is a nice touch, and at the end of the game, it’s easy to lift off the board and count the gems inside.
The ice pillar gimmick works well and is easy for little, unpracticed hands to accomplish.
Our Review
Strengths and Weaknesses
Dragon’s Breath Game makes it very easy to introduce important concepts like taking turns, color matching, making small strategic decisions, counting, and winning and losing.
While it might not have a ton of strategic depth, it is extremely easy to teach and the toy factor of the components makes it extremely easy to get the table. This is one that kids will definitely want to get out and play.
As a result, this one may not be all that fun for adults after a few plays. It isn’t torture, but there’s not really enough to it to be all that engaging to grown-ups. I enjoyed playing with my kids, but at this point, I encourage my kids to play it with each other, now that they have the hang of it.
Conclusion: Calling all Dragon Children
This is a great game for preschoolers with its imaginative story and intriguing components. It plays very quickly and because of the design of the box, it’s a breeze to set up and clean up.
When the sparkling stones start falling, it is sure to delight younger players and get them excited to get it off the shelf and onto the table.
We recommend this game in our list of the best board games for 3-year-olds and the best board games for 4-year-olds. Check out those lists for more great recommendations at this level.
FAQ
What is the recommended age for the Dragon’s Breath Game?
Dragon’s Breath Game is recommended for children aged 5 and up, but we suggest it can be enjoyed by kids as young as 3 or 4, given the simplicity and luck-based nature of the game.
How many players can participate in the Dragon’s Breath Game?
The game is designed for 2-4 players, making it a great choice for both small family gatherings and playdates.
How long does a typical game of the Dragon’s Breath Game take?
A typical game lasts around 15-20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for younger children who may have shorter attention spans.
Are the components safe for young children?
Yes, all components of Dragon’s Breath are made from high-quality, durable materials and are safe for young children. However, as with any game featuring small parts, parental supervision is recommended to prevent choking hazards.
Is there any educational value in Dragon’s Breath?
Absolutely! Dragon’s Breath helps children practice fine motor skills, turn-taking, color matching, making predictions, and basic counting—all while having fun.
Can adults enjoy playing the Dragon’s Breath game too?
While the game is primarily designed for children, adults can certainly enjoy the game, especially when playing with their kids. The game’s simplicity may not hold long-term appeal for adults, but it is engaging enough for occasional family play.
What do I do if I lose some sparkling stones?
The game includes 90 sparkling stones, which should be ample for gameplay even if a few go missing. If many stones are lost, you might contact HABA for possible replacement parts.
Is the Dragon’s Breath game travel-friendly?
While the box is fairly compact and components are neatly stored within Dragon’s Breath may not be the best travel game due to the number of small pieces that can be easily lost during transit.
Are there expansions or variations available for Dragon’s Breath?
As of now, there are no official expansions or variations available for Dragon’s Breath, but the game’s flexible mechanics allow for house rules and creative adaptations.