Introducing Sparky: A new way to teach young children breathing techniques
Canadian software developer LungGames is expanding the frontier of pediatric health with Sparky™, a video game that teaches preschool and early elementary-age children the breathing exercises critical for respiratory health. Launched on October 15, 2025, Sparky combines play with medical-grade guidance, enabling clinicians and parents to monitor lung function remotely while children engage with a cuddly character named Sparky.
How Sparky works: breathing as the controller
At the heart of Sparky is a portable spirometer used as the game controller. Players perform guided breathing exercises to help Sparky complete tasks, solve puzzles, and advance through levels. The mechanic translates the child’s breath into in-game progress, turning what could be a clinical drill into an engaging, age-appropriate activity. This approach addresses a long-standing gap: the difficulty of diagnosing respiratory conditions such as asthma in young children due to limited objective testing methods and the challenge of teaching proper breathing techniques for evaluation.
Remote monitoring for clinicians and parents
LungGames emphasizes accessibility and oversight. Sparky allows healthcare professionals to remotely monitor lung function data gathered during play. This capability can support more objective assessment of respiratory health and, in some cases, inform early intervention strategies. For parents, Sparky offers a friendly, at-home resource to observe how their child breathes during the exercises and track improvements over time.
A new tool to address pediatric respiratory health needs
Respiratory diseases like asthma are prevalent among children. Studies show that a significant portion of young children visit emergency departments for respiratory problems, which underscores the need for approachable, reliable tools to aid diagnosis and management. Sparky aims to bridge this gap by normalizing breathing exercises as a part of regular play, making it easier for children to learn and clinicians to interpret results.
Why interactive gaming matters for early health education
CEO Nancy Lum-Wilson notes that a family-centered, preventive approach can reshape health outcomes. “We want to ensure that lung health is accessible to everyone, including young children, and believe interactive mediums like video games can deliver a fun yet reliable tool,” she said. By embedding medical-grade techniques into a game, Sparky seeks to demystify respiratory health, reduce anxiety around testing, and encourage proactive engagement from families.
<h2 The broader vision: from Sparky to better health outcomes
LungGames positions Sparky not only as a product but as part of a broader mission to redesign respiratory care for children and adults alike. The company, which originated in the Netherlands and now operates from Canada, has long pursued breathing-powered interactive gaming as a preventative health strategy. A family-centric model puts users in control while enabling providers to optimize resource use through more consistent, objective data collection during routine play.
<h2 About LungGames
Lung Games International Inc. is a pioneering serious gaming company focused on inclusive respiratory health. By integrating breathing-based gameplay with objective monitoring tools, LungGames aims to lower barriers to early diagnosis and ongoing health management for people of all ages.
