Can my kid play this if they can't read yet?

Yes! The game is almost entirely icon-based and tactile. It was specifically designed so that literacy isn't a barrier to learning math.

Is it really worth the subscription price?

If you only use this one app, it's a bit steep. But if you also use DragonBox Algebra and Chess, it's a powerhouse suite. Pro tip: Subscribe for a month, let them beat the game, then cancel.

Does it work offline?

Yes, once the app is downloaded and you've logged in, you can play Noomia offline, making it a great 'plane ride' app.

Will this help with 'Common Core' math?

Absolutely. It focuses heavily on 'number sense' and place value, which are the core pillars of modern math curricula. It makes those 'number bonds' they do in school actually make sense.

DragonBox Big Numbers – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

DragonBox Big Numbers

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2020

94%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The math app that tricks your kid into mastering long addition while they're busy furnishing a monster's house.

DragonBox Big Numbers

app

Everyone, 2020

94%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The math app that tricks your kid into mastering long addition while they're busy furnishing a monster's house.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

DragonBox Big Numbers is arguably the best tool ever made for teaching the base-ten system. While most 'educational' apps are just flashcards with a coat of digital paint, this actually helps kids visualize how numbers work.

It’s part of the Kahoot! ecosystem now, which means you’re signing up for a subscription, but if you have a kid struggling with the jump from simple addition to 'big' math, it’s worth every penny for a month or two of focused play.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 6 to 9. It’s the sweet spot for kids who have the basics of counting down but get intimidated by 'carrying the one' or regrouping in school.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Emotionally grounded and patient. It replaces the anxiety of 'getting it wrong' with a tactile exploration of a magical world called Noomia. It rewards persistence without the frantic pacing of typical mobile games.

Imaginative

Instead of dry drills, it uses a resource-management system where kids trade items and decorate houses. The 'Nooms' are quirky characters that make the base-ten system feel like a physical law of nature rather than a school rule.

Safe

No third-party ads, no social chat, and no manipulative 'surprise' in-app purchases. It lives inside the Kahoot! ecosystem which is generally a walled garden for education.

Enriching

This is the gold standard for math pedagogy in app form. It moves kids from concrete counting to abstract long addition and subtraction by making them physically manipulate the numbers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Secret learning happens because the math is the mechanic, not a pop-up quiz; kids have to add and subtract to trade resources and progress.
Tactile interface allows kids to 'stack' numbers into tens and hundreds, making the abstract concept of place value feel like physical blocks.
High engagement through a resource-management loop that rivals 'real' games, keeping kids motivated for 10+ hours of play.
No reading required, making it accessible for younger kids or those who struggle with word problems but have the logic for big numbers.

⚠

What to Watch For

The Kahoot!+ subscription is a hurdle; you can't just buy the app once anymore, which is a bummer if you don't want another monthly bill.
It can feel like a slow burn at first as kids gather resources, which might frustrate kids who are used to the instant dopamine hits of arcade-style math games.

Conversation Starters

"How did you figure out how many more resources you needed to get that item for the Noom house?"
"What’s the biggest number you’ve managed to build in the game so far?"
"Which Noom is your favorite to help out, and why?"
"Does the way you move the blocks in the game make the big numbers in your school workbook feel easier?"

Deep Dive

Why DragonBox is different

Most math apps follow a predictable, boring pattern: answer five questions, get a digital sticker, repeat until the kid deletes the app. DragonBox Big Numbers throws that out. It’s a resource management game first. Your kid is in the land of Noomia, trying to collect items, trade with quirky creatures, and build out little houses.

To do any of that, they have to perform operations. But instead of typing '15 + 27 = ?', they are physically dragging groups of ten into a 'collector' and seeing them transform. It’s brilliant because it builds conceptual understanding rather than just rote memorization.

The Kahoot! Factor

Since Kahoot! acquired DragonBox, the individual apps have been bundled into the Kahoot!+ Family subscription. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get access to their excellent Algebra and Geometry apps too. On the other, the 'buy it once and own it' era is over.

If you're looking for a way to bridge the gap between first-grade counting and third-grade arithmetic, this is the most painless way to do it. It’s one of the few apps that actually lives up to the 'award-winning' marketing fluff. It’s not just a game; it’s a better way to think about math.

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