DragonBox
A family of puzzle apps, now owned by Kahoot!, that teach number sense, multiplication, geometry and the logic of solving equations through games, for kids from about age 4 to middle school.
What is DragonBox?
DragonBox is a set of math puzzle apps, first built around a game that teaches algebra to young kids. It was created by former math teacher Jean-Baptiste Huynh and is now published by Kahoot!, so the apps appear in stores with names like Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox.
The core idea is clever. In the Algebra game, kids drag cards to get a little box alone on one side of the board. That is exactly what you do when you isolate x in an equation. Over time the pictures turn into numbers and letters, and kids find they have been solving equations all along.
How it works
Each app is a separate download for iPhone, iPad, Android or Chrome. Kids play on their own in short sessions, moving through chapters of puzzles. The first Algebra app has 10 chapters (5 learning, 5 training) and 200 puzzles. There are no ads.
Parents mostly need to hand over the device. If your child gets stuck, ask them to explain what each move does, which helps connect the game to real equations.
What it covers
| App | Ages | What it teaches |
|---|---|---|
| DragonBox Numbers | 4–8 | What numbers are and how they work |
| DragonBox Big Numbers | 6–9 | Long addition and subtraction |
| Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox | 5+ | Steps to solve basic linear equations |
| Kahoot! Algebra 2 by DragonBox | 9+ | Building algebra confidence |
| DragonBox Multiplication | 8+ | Times tables |
| DragonBox Geometry | 9+ | Shapes and geometric reasoning |
Kahoot! also offers a DragonBox chess app. Ages are Kahoot!'s own recommendations.
Who it's best for
DragonBox fits kids who love puzzles, and it is especially good for showing a young child that algebra is just logic. Numbers and Big Numbers are good picks for building number sense in early math.
Look elsewhere if you need a full curriculum or a lot of practice volume. Reviewers often say kids finish the puzzles quickly and want more.
Pricing at a glance
All apps are free to download, and the first Algebra app now has a free start. As of October 2026, the US App Store lists Kahoot! Kids at $5.99 per month or $35.99 per year, which unlocks the apps, or $19.99 to unlock one app for good. If your child only wants one app, the one-time purchase is usually the better deal.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
At this price, most families pay directly. Some education savings account programs allow educational software, but each program decides, and app-store purchases can be hard to submit for reimbursement. If you are building a full math plan with scholarship money, save DragonBox and a core program to your wishlist, then check scholarships in your state.
How it compares
Todo Math covers far more pre-K to 2nd grade skills in one app. Prodigy offers much more practice in a role-playing game. Matific has thousands of short conceptual activities. For a puzzle-heavy full curriculum, look at Beast Academy. See more online math programs.
Who DragonBox is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Puzzle-loving kids who are curious about algebra
- Young children building number sense through play (Numbers, Big Numbers)
- Families who want ad-free, independent math screen time
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting a full curriculum or lots of practice volume
- Kids who need explicit teaching of procedures and word problems
- Parents who want one price for every app with no subscription
DragonBox pros and cons
Pros
- Turns equation solving into a puzzle kids can play on their own
- Concepts broken into very small steps
- No ads
- One-time purchase option for a single app
- Free start on the Algebra apps
Cons
- Limited content: one Algebra app has 200 puzzles
- Narrow scope per app; covers simplifying equations more than broad algebra
- Moved from cheap one-time apps to a subscription model
- App names and plan names differ between stores, which confuses buyers
What’s included
- DragonBox Numbers (ages 4–8) and Big Numbers (ages 6–9) for number sense and multi-digit arithmetic
- Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox (ages 5+) teaches the steps for solving linear equations
- Algebra 2 (ages 9+), Multiplication (ages 8+) and Geometry (ages 9+)
- 200 puzzles in the first Algebra app, across 10 chapters
- No ads
- Unlocked through a Kahoot! Kids subscription or a one-time purchase per app
How much does DragonBox cost?
DragonBox apps are free to download. As of October 2026, the US App Store lists Kahoot! Kids at $5.99 per month or $35.99 per year, plus a $19.99 one-time purchase that unlocks a single app (shown on Kahoot! Algebra, Algebra 2 and Big Numbers). Kahoot! says its Kids subscription unlocks the full DragonBox experience, and Kahoot!+ personal plans also include it. On Google Play, the listings refer to a Kahoot!+ Family subscription. Prices vary by store and region.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahoot! Kids, monthly (US App Store) | $5.99/mo | Monthly | $5.99/mo |
| Kahoot! Kids, annual (US App Store) | $35.99/yr | Yearly | $3/mo |
| One-time purchase, single app (US App Store) | $19.99 | One-time | — |
Free trial: The App Store listing for Kahoot! Algebra mentions a 7-day free trial for the subscription.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
On the App Store, Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox is rated 4.6 from about 1,100 ratings as of October 2026. Parents praise how concepts are broken into tiny steps, and many wish there were more puzzles. Critics say the scope is narrower than the word algebra suggests, and longtime fans dislike the switch from one-time purchases to subscriptions.
Common praise
- Concepts broken into small, logical steps
- Kids play independently and enjoy it
- Builds algebraic thinking at a young age
Common complaints
- Not enough puzzles; kids finish quickly
- Covers equation simplifying more than broad algebra
- Subscription model replaced cheap one-time purchases
Sources: apps.apple.com · id1550574178 · screenwiseapp.com · is dragonbox algebra worth the kahoot subscription
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DragonBox FAQs
Is DragonBox free?
The apps are free to download, and Kahoot! Algebra 1 by DragonBox can now be started for free. Full access needs a Kahoot! Kids subscription or a one-time purchase for that app.
How much does DragonBox cost?
As of October 2026, the US App Store lists Kahoot! Kids at $5.99 per month or $35.99 per year, or $19.99 to unlock a single app for good. Prices vary by store and country.
What age is DragonBox Algebra for?
Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox, formerly DragonBox Algebra 5+, is recommended for ages 5 and up. Algebra 2, formerly DragonBox Algebra 12+, is listed by Kahoot! for ages 9 and up.
Which DragonBox app should I start with?
For ages 4 to 8, start with DragonBox Numbers. Ages 6 to 9 can move to Big Numbers for multi-digit addition and subtraction. Kids 8 and up can try Multiplication, and curious kids from age 5 can try Algebra.
Who makes DragonBox now?
DragonBox apps are now published by Kahoot! and sold under names like Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox. The original Algebra game was created by former math teacher Jean-Baptiste Huynh.
Does DragonBox replace a math curriculum?
No. Each app focuses on one area and can be finished fairly quickly. Use DragonBox alongside a core program such as Beast Academy or Singapore Math.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: