If you’re in search of a family-friendly, light-hearted, and easy-to-play game, Dragomino is an excellent choice. Familiar with Dominoes? Then you already know the basics—except instead of matching numbers, you’ll be pairing elements like sand or ice. Plus, there’s the added excitement of possibly uncovering a dragon along the way.
Players take turns drafting domino tiles and adding them to their landscape. The player who possesses the mommy dragon figure gets to start the game and has specific advantages, such as the first turn and extra points at the end of the game.
In fact, we labelled it one of our best games for five year olds – check out the full list for even more games!
Dragomino is sometimes called “My First Kingdomino”
About Dragomino
Dragomino is an extra family friendly version of the game Kingdomino, created by a company called Blue Orange games. Its subtitle is some printings is in fact “My First Kingdomino”, because it’s suitable for ages as young as five, making it perfect for a family to enjoy.
In the board game Dragomino, you take on the role of a Dragon Rider, embarking on an exciting journey across an island to discover as many baby dragons as possible. However, you’re not alone in this quest; other Dragon Riders are competing to find these elusive creatures. As you traverse various landscapes, your goal is to collect the most baby dragons by the end of your expedition!
In this game, you place domino tiles featuring landscapes instead of pictures. When the landscapes match, you can flip a dragon egg token to see if you’ve discovered a dragon. There’s always an element of surprise since you could draw a baby dragon, but you also might uncover an empty egg.
The player who finds the most dragons wins. The concept is simple and requires no reading beyond the rules, making it accessible for all ages. With a playtime of just 15 minutes, its blend of quick gameplay, cute story, and engaging mechanics make it an excellent family board game.
Quick to set up and quick to play, you’ll be finding baby dragons in no time!
The Dragomino game was honored with the prestigious Kinderspiel Des Jahres, a significant accolade in the board gaming industry, naming it the children’s game of 2021. This achievement is even more remarkable given that its predecessor, Kingdomino, also received a Spiel Des Jahres award in 2017. With such a distinguished lineage, it’s no wonder Dragomino is highly regarded in the board game community. It boasts an impressive 17th rank for Children’s Games on BoardGameGeek, standing out among thousands of other games.
How to Play Dragomino
Set up Dragomino
Set up is easy – each player takes their starting domino. Put the dragon eggs within easy reach of everyone, face down and organized loosely by color. Put four dominos in the centre, and leave the rest either in the box, or stacked together nicely.
Dragomino turns
Each turn in Dragomino, you want to visit places, and show off your discoveries. To do this, you pick up a domino from the four in the center, and place it lined up with your own domino/s. If it’s the same landscape, you’ve found a dragon egg!
Pick the dragon egg that is of the same color as the landscape – for example, the snowy terrain on the domino means you want to pick up an icy looking egg – and flip it over. If it’s a baby dragon, you’ve won a point. If it’s an empty shell or a broken shell, you’re too late. However, you do get the “Mommy Dragon”, a dragon meeple, which lets you pick first next time. This is a really nice touch since drawing an empty shell or broken shell can feel deflating, but since you get a benefit, it ends up working well, even for kids who get frustrated when things aren’t going their way.
“Mommy Dragon”, the purple meeple, is on hand if you can’t find a baby dragon
Place your egg on the tiles where they meet, but double check if there’s more than one connection, as you may qualify for an extra egg if you’ve chosen carefully. Once you’ve done this, the turn passes to the next player. You do this until all the tiles have been placed, ending the game.
Watering Hole Variant
Dragomino introduces an optional rule called The Dragon’s Thirst, enhancing the gameplay experience. Here, players must pay attention to watering holes on tiles, which are otherwise typically overlooked. If you connect two landscapes of the same type and one features a watering hole, you can draw two eggs instead of one, choosing which to keep. This increases your chances of avoiding an empty egg!
The end of the game, and scoring dragon eggs
The game ends when all the dominoes are placed. Then, you should count up how many dragons you have, as you get a point for each one, plus one for the Dragon Meeple if held. The highest score wins, including a bonus point for the player with the mommy dragon… and in the event of a tie, the tied players will need to count their eggshells too!
How many baby dragons can you find in Dragomino?
Dragomino Vs Kingdomino
If you’ve played Kingdomino before, some elements will feel familiar. You’ll still match tiles and see the first player change each round. However, rather than aiming to build the largest possible kingdom, the goal is now to simply find matching tiles.
Dragomino’s dragons add a unique twist to the game. Each time you make a match, you reveal a dragon egg, hoping to find a dragon inside. This element of luck levels the playing field, making it ideal for family games, as it gives both adults and children an equal chance. When luck is the deciding factor, being an adult offers no advantage!
Check out our full review of Kingdomino here.
Why Play Dragomino?
Dragomino is a family board game
What board game should you play with the family these days? Dragomino. It offers quick gameplay, minimal setup, and can be explained in moments. Say goodbye to long, tedious actions, unfair turns, and parents needing to micromanage – looking at you, Monopoly – because Dragomino addresses all those issues.
Turns are swift and simple: place a tile and see if you discover a dragon. Even if you encounter bad luck and find only an empty egg, the game compensates by giving you the parent dragon, allowing you to pick first on the next turn – a small advantage to ease the disappointment. The Mother Dragon token not only lets you go first in the next round but also adds an extra point if you hold it at the end of the game, enhancing the excitement for younger players.
Children as young as four, and sometimes even younger, can play the game independently. It’s rare for games to be so accessible and enjoyable for younger kids.
Dragomino is easy to learn how to play
Games with a recognizable foundation are always the easiest to learn and explain. Dragomino builds on the concept of Dominoes, where players match numbers on tiles. In Dragomino, you do the same but with the added excitement of finding a dragon. This simple premise makes it accessible even to those unfamiliar with board games. From there, players only need to grasp a few minor rules, such as the turn order, which are straightforward. These features make Dragomino a game that anyone can enjoy.
A positive review for Dragomino
Dragomino is colorful
The artwork in Dragomino is delightful, featuring vivid colors and charming illustrations of baby dragons that will make everyone at the table say “awww!” Many games resort to generic artwork, but Dragomino stands out, looking as if it has stepped out of a children’s book, exuding a magical charm. While there are two shades of green—forests and prairies—that appear quite similar, the distinct icons on each tile ensure they are easily distinguishable. The game’s reliance on visual elements over text makes it exceptionally family-friendly and has also earned it praise for being accessible to players with dyslexia.
Dragomino doesn’t punish you
Dragomino is a delightfully positive game where the worst outcome is not finding a dragon when you flip over an egg – but you still receive a Mommy Dragon as consolation. Unlike Kingdomino, you aren’t restricted to specific areas, allowing any tile to be placed anywhere. Can’t find a match? No worries, you simply skip picking up an egg. Younger players may find it challenging to know what they need to do (matching colors) and actually do it (if the tile isn’t available), but this game elegantly simplifies it. Additionally, matching two tiles earns you more eggs, making it easy for players to catch up.
Dragomino or Kingdomino?
Dragomino, the sister game to Kingdomino, offers a perfect companion to the original. Both games are easy to learn, designed for younger players, and based on the familiar mechanics of dominoes, ensuring they are simple to teach and play. However, if you need to choose one, Dragomino is recommended for ages 5 and up, making it accessible to a broader audience than Kingdomino. Additionally, the inclusion of adorable dragons is sure to bring a smile to your face!
Can’t decide? Try looking at Kingdomino Origins, which offers a few different levels of complexity, all in the same box. It’s one the kids can learn early on and then grow with.
Conclusion: Mommy Dragons and Baby Dragons Unite
Dragomino is a fantastic game to play with the whole family. It’s easy to learn, colorful, and a purely positive experience – no one will feel left out or punished when playing this game.
Plus, with its age recommendation starting at 5+ (we think 4 is fine) it opens up gaming to an even wider audience. So gather around the table, and see how many baby dragons you can find in Dragomino!
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Looking for more?
You’ll find Dragomino in our best games for four year olds and our best games for five year olds, so check out those articles for more suggestions for this age group.
Dragomino FAQ
What is the age range for Dragomino?
Dragomino is suitable for children aged 5 and up. The simplicity of the game mechanics makes it easy for younger players to join in and have fun, while still providing enough engagement for older players.
How many players can play Dragomino?
Dragomino can be played with 2 to 4 players. Its flexible player count makes it great for both small families and larger gatherings.
How long does a game of Dragomino take?
A typical game of Dragomino takes about 15 to 20 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable activity that can fit into any schedule.
Is Dragomino purely luck-based?
While Dragomino incorporates elements of luck due to the random draw of dragon eggs, it also requires strategy in matching tiles and planning turns, making it a balanced game suitable for all ages. The Mommy Dragon token changes player order between rounds and determines the first player, adding another layer of strategy, though it may need to be house-ruled out for younger kids and can be less effective in a 2-player game.
Can Dragomino be played solo?
Dragomino is designed as a multiplayer game and does not have official solo rules. However, creative players might be able to come up with their own solo variants.
Where can I buy Dragomino?
Dragomino is widely available and can be purchased online from retailers like Amazon, or from local game stores, as well as large chains like Barnes and Noble.
Does Dragomino have expansions or sequels?
As of now, Dragomino does not have expansions or sequels, but its popularity suggests that future additions could be possible.
Is Dragomino travel-friendly?
Yes, Dragomino is relatively compact and components are easy to manage, making it a good choice for travel. The small box and simple setup mean it can be enjoyed virtually anywhere.