Introducing Sparky: A New Way to Teach Breathing Through Play
LungGames, a pioneering developer in breathing-powered interactive gaming, announces Sparky™, a video game designed to teach breathing exercises to preschool and young children. The game couples engaging gameplay with portable spirometry to help children learn proper breath control while providing clinicians and parents with a new tool for remotely monitoring lung function.
Sparky is built around a cuddly animal character who needs help completing tasks that require specific breathing techniques. Players use a portable spirometer as the game controller, translating inhalations and exhalations into in-game actions. As children guide Sparky through various adventures, they practice diaphragmatic breathing, paced exhalations, and other foundational techniques used in respiratory care.
Why Sparky Matters for Early Childhood Health
Respiratory diseases, including asthma, impose a significant burden on children. In the very young, diagnosing and monitoring these conditions is challenging because objective assessment tools are often difficult to administer. Sparky aims to bridge this gap by making the learning of breathing techniques an engaging, age-appropriate experience that can be repeated at home or in clinical settings.
CEO Nancy Lum-Wilson emphasizes the dual purpose of the platform: education and measurement. “Sparky teaches children proper breathing techniques, while allowing clinicians and parents alike to monitor lung function remotely.” The game’s design supports objective data collection that can inform diagnosis and treatment decisions without overwhelming a child with clinical procedures.
How Sparky Works: A Child-Friendly Medical Tool
At the heart of Sparky is a user-friendly interface that translates breath quality into in-game progress. A portable spirometer acts as the controller, registering the depth, rate, and steadiness of each breath. Young players help Sparky complete puzzles, conquer mini-missions, and unlock new levels by maintaining proper breathing patterns. This approach turns a potentially intimidating medical exercise into a story-driven adventure children can look forward to each day.
For clinicians and caregivers, Sparky provides remote monitoring capabilities that can track trends in lung function over time. This data-centric approach supports early intervention, personalized care plans, and more informed conversations between families and healthcare professionals. Importantly, the system is designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that families from diverse backgrounds can benefit from the technology.
The Promise of Breathing-Powered Interactive Gaming
Sparky joins LungGames’ broader mission to make lung health accessible through play. By integrating clinical-grade breathing techniques into a familiar gaming format, the company hopes to normalize respiratory care and reduce the stigma or fear that can accompany medical testing for young children. This approach aligns with contemporary moves toward family-centered care and preventative health, where the home becomes a partner in maintaining wellness.
Early childhood is a critical window for establishing healthy respiratory habits. Regular practice with Sparky could improve lung function trajectories and empower parents to actively participate in their child’s respiratory health journey. The game’s family-centric model supports ongoing education, helping caregivers recognize warning signs and seek timely medical advice when needed.
What This Means for the Future of Pediatric Respiratory Care
The Sparky platform represents more than a game; it signals a shift toward objective, age-appropriate assessment tools in pediatric care. As LungGames continues development and testing, there is potential for expanding Sparky’s repertoire to cover additional respiratory exercises and milestones. The company also envisions adapting the technology for broader user groups, including older children and adults, while maintaining a focus on accessibility and user experience.
About LungGames
Lung Games International Inc. is a Canadian-based serious gaming company with roots in the Netherlands. The firm specializes in breathing-powered interactive gaming to support inclusive respiratory health for children and adults. Its preventative, family-led digital approach aims to redesign health systems for better outcomes and more efficient resource use.
Source: Lung Games International Inc. Statements released October 15, 2025. For media inquiries, contact Nancy Lum-Wilson, CEO, LungGames, at 647-847-0697.
