The Best Knight vs Dragon Toys

Dragons as friends or dragons as deadly enemies... These creatures have fascinated grown ups for centuries so it should be no surprise that kids are also enthralled.

The games on this page are mostly designed for play but many are also educational. Lego models have always been excellent training for little fingers. Some of themes will be a first introduction to the fascination of medieval history.

For many kids, Dragons are best played with an adversary. That might be a knight or a complete castle full of knights and all their siege machines. The latest offering from Lego- 'Ninjago Dragons'- takes the Dragon theme into the world of Ninja Heros and Skeleton Armies.

Dragon Castles and Playsets

LEGO's Ninjago Dragons

Ninjago Dragons are tipped by many to be one of the hottest toys for Xmas 2011.

Well lets face it, Lego will always satisfy boys of eight and up and this is the newest range with some pretty fearsome creatures and extremely detailed play sets. It is probably a safe prediction.

The Ninjago Fire Temple. for example, has over a thousand pieces and is sent with three manuals. The Temple becomes the centerpiece in the fight between the evil Lord Garmadon and the defenders of the Temple. The skeleton army of the evil lord is included as well as the good guy Ninjas with a full array of weapons.

The dragon in this set emerges from the Temple and spits balls of fire at enemies (and sisters, pets and parents, too, I am guessing!).

There are plenty of other sets in the range including a cool skull motorcycle and Ice Dragons.

This is not your traditional medieval dragon set but pretty entertaining as a variation.

Traditional LEGO Dragons and Castles

Lego offer a lot of medieval knight figures, siege machines and castle models. They range from the hugely detailed 'Castle King's Castle Siege' set at around $350, down to the modest 'Castle Building Set' at less than $15.

One of the best Lego Dragon models is pictured right. It is fully articulated and can be transformed into many other shapes. With a little imagination, it makes an exotic boat or even a creepy, red Golem.

It could easily be the beginning of a huge collection of knights, castles, chariots, ships and other imagination-stirring Lego toys.

The video below is from a Lego Castle Fan.

Wizards Castle

Like the Lego sets above, this castle from Fisher-Price is a construction set with many different configurations. It is less challenging than a large Lego set but it will still satisfy the impulse build in older children. A five or six year old will need someone to set it up for them.

It comes with its own little dragon model but it is not the best you will ever see. You might want to supply a real fire-breather to swoop and soar around the ramparts.

Playmobil Dragon Land Range

I always smile when I see a Playmobil figure. The faces of the good guys are earnest, innocent and determined. The bad guys look as if they have indigestion.

There are a whole range of Playmobil figures and sets in the Dragon Land range. The Great Castle is impressively fantastical with plenty of things to press and fire at marauders. Four year olds especially like the trapdoor and the spike that slays dragons.

There are smaller and less expensive centerpieces for the Dragon Land figures like the Dragon Dungeon or the Giant Catapult set. The Giant Dragon with LED lights is around $30.

For kids who like to collect stuff there a lot of extra figures, war machines and paraphernalia on offer.

Dragon World Fortress

This is a big toy that you will need to find some space for. It stands 2 feet tall and has a roomy interior packed with surprises. There are levers to press, boulders to roll and a drawbridge to raise and lower.

The Dragon on the side of the castle will lunge forward on command and seize any unwary knight. There are arrows to fire from the battlements. Lights flash and strange sounds emerge to heighten the action.

A small number of figures are supplied but this fortress will soon demand armies of Knights and Dragons to conquer it. So expect a little extra outlay on the military and monster spending front as time goes by.

This is ideal for younger children who like pressing things and seeing interesting things happen. It is also a good base for free play for older kids and should last a long time given the tough construction.

Dragon Ship

This another Imaginext toy that is popular with boys who seem to like the pirate theme as much as the dragon that snaps at the push of a lever.

Again, it is a large toy so easy for little hands to manipulate.

The bandit figures are as cute as they are ferocious with their drawn swords and snarling expressions.

Would be buccaneers will be thrilled.

Scary Dragon Models

MacFarlane make some of the best action figures around with comic book and video game themes.

The Dragon series has been around since 2005 and features several collectable clans Including the Fire Dragon Clan and the Komodo Dragon clan.

The Water Dragon Clan figure (right) is amazingly detailed and includes the ship that the dragon is in the act of destroying. The models are large at around eight or nine inches tall and they make an interesting feature in a bedroom.

The high detail makes them fun to paint too.

Schleich Models

The Schleich 'World of Knights' collection has many fantastically detailed models. These include knights in armor fighting on foot or mounted on horseback.

There are a number of dragons to choose from including the creepy green model pictured right.

The figures are solid with no moving parts. This makes them very to difficult break but less fun to play with for some kids.

For many, this is a display dragon like the McFarlane dragon above and a good start to a collection.

Cute Dragons for Younger Kids

Two and three year olds are more comfortable with dragons that they can cuddle. Being eaten whole is still an issue for toddlers.

The soft but sturdy Melissa and Doug Dragon is a safe companion in the castle of your living room.