If you have kids that love stories about powerful fire-breathing dragons and brave knights from medieval times, chances are they'll love games inspired by the same. Dragon games can be played in a variety of settings and occasions, and there's a lot of room to be creative. Keep games age appropriate; nothing too scary for the little ones.
Dragon Birthday Party Games
Try a dragon slant on an old game with "Pin the Tail on the Dragon." Start with a large picture of a cartoon dragon. Make long, whipping green dragon tails out of yarn and have the blindfolded kids try to connect the tail to the artwork. For young children, use rolled scotch tape on the back of the tail in place of a pin.
Hatch a "Find the Dragon Egg" game by stuffing a small toy dragon, candy and other treats in large plastic hollow eggs. The dragons should be available at local toy or dollar stores. Hide the eggs around the party location and tell the guests they have to be found before the magical dragons "hatch." Each child gets to keep what eggs they find.
Outdoor Dragon Games
Hide a small dragon stuffed animal or toy in the backyard for a dragon scavenger hunt. Decorate your yard with items that a dragon could possibly leave behind. For example, draw large clawed footprints on black poster board, cut out and leave dragon "footprints" in one area. Create the dragon's dinner by scattering burned pieces of food in one area. Write clues on index cards at each location such as, "find the place where the dragon left tracks." The kids will run to the dragon tracks where they'll find another clue written on an index card.
"Dragon Tag" requires one child to be "the fire breathing dragon" and the rest of the children are the townspeople he's chasing. Create one safe spot in the area, the castle, where players can take a break. Just like regular tag, once the dragon tags a person, that person becomes the new dragon and a new chase begins.
Educational Dragon Games
Show a few half hour episodes of the PBS series "Dragon Tales" then play a game where the children create their own tale. Start the story using one or two characters from the show then ask each child to add a piece to the story. The game can be played verbally, but if the stories are written down create a small booklet and have each child add their part on one page. Provide crayons and markers so the children can illustrate their page.
For elementary school aged children, "magical" dragon food can be an easy way to get something made in the kitchen. Just have them use their imagination to create a proprietary recipe for what they think dragon food would be. Supply a variety of cereal, sauces, cookie toppings and candy.
