Under the Stars with a Calico Critters Family and Daydream
Settle in for a cozy time beneath the stars or in other comfy settings with the simple roll-and-write aspects of Daydream.
My first experience with Daydream was extremely positive, yet I only dabbled with 2 of 8 ways to play! This customizable game features a foldable board to slowly build up the challenge, or stick with an easy way to fill clouds with numbers. I was excited to move onto a double spread with constellations and a new scoring opportunity… Off to another calm solo game!
Game Overview
Game Name: Daydream
Publication Year: 2025
Designers: Anthony Perone & Benoit Turpin
Artist: Memé Candia
Publisher: Disto studio
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Gameplay revolves around rolling a pair of dice and filling in clouds with the values. There are bonuses for consecutive numbers, which adds a little bit of strategy! With 8 ways to play across 1, 2, or 3 panels at once, there is a lot of variety amidst the beautiful and calm artwork. So very cozy!
First Play
February 8, 2026
Complexity
2
Latest Play
March 17, 2026
Expansions
0
Setup Time
Almost None
Lifetime Plays
18
Play Time
10 Minutes
High Score
18
Game Area
18" x 12"
Low Score
1
Under the Stars
Onto my first dual panel! Constellations popped up in the sky, and there was a very conspicuous cat in the art. What did this all amount to? A visit from a Calico Critter family!
I rarely have any idea of what I want to photograph, and this scene was extremely fun to put together. Capturing the cuteness when they’re facing away is tricky… But doable!
A tiny telescope was put to good use as the parents pointed to different stars and admired the night sky.
For others, requesting a flip through a science book with the constellations mapped out was more than enough fun!
Constellation Scoring
Not only does this combination use a pair of panels, but it features new rules. Clouds with sparkly stars allow lines to be traced in the night sky, slowly reaching more stars.
Quite an interesting challenge! This opened up the strategy some more, as I wasn’t only focused on circling objects on the shelves. At least I reached some decent scoring tiers!
To achieve a shooting star looked like it required some more planning and a balance with the constellations.
Yet even my rather low scores didn’t feel disappointing. I loved the decisions and enjoyment of this simple rule set.
A Falling, Falling Star
Well, I was on track for something that might turn into a grand score… Except I took way too many risks with the leaves and it all came down to the final roll.
Oh, no! That row turned into a disaster when I couldn’t manage to work in a different number. There was an early plan to fill in 0 to 4, which almost panned out. Almost.
That’s a slightly less obvious rule: Values may be anywhere from 0 to 9 with the way the leaves can add or subtract.
It’s more applicable to panels beyond the single options, yet I remembered it and how it might be important to do well!
Filling the Shelves
My scores left a lot to be desired, so I let my imagination take over for a little more fun. The Calico Critters weren’t done yet! Look at those adorable curly ears on these cats.
It was too tempting not to pick up a pair of matching shoes, plus a few racquets. So many random tiny items!
There isn’t really a reason to look closely at the art, but it always pays off. I kept finding little details whenever I looked closer and stepped back from tracing the outlines.
Plenty more to explore with this one! I’m loving how fun it is to slowly ease into the challenges at my own pace.
My One Woe of Using Wet Erase Markers
Only in rare circumstances will I use dry erase markers with my games. It’s always the wet erase markers for me! However, this means there is a cleaning phase after each play with water. As careful as I am, I sometimes get a drop on an untreated edge. It’s not the end of the world, yet I have a very slight bubble under the cardboard one of these boards. Oh, the horror!
What I really need is an invention to just seal the edges, or some sort of protector that doesn’t go too far beyond the edges. On most of these erasable boards, the writing area goes very close to the edge, so any type of sheet protector doesn’t really help out. Or maybe board game factories can come up with a solution… Laminated edges! Somebody get on that, please. Ha!
Session Overview
Play Number: 13-18
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Play Details: Under the Stars (BC)
Outcome: 17, 18, 15, 18, 17, 13 (6 Losses)
Nowhere close to the top scoring tier, but did I care? Nope! This cozy napping cat set the tone for this experience and I wasn’t too concerned about reaching the top scoring tier during this session. It’s nice to know that an excellent score isn’t something that’s just lucked into. Can’t wait to keep up with my attempts with this combination, and explore even more! This game has so much to offer. I continue to love it!
%
10 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
9
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
8
Quality
Components & Rules
10
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
10
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
7
+ Pros (Positives)
- All of the artwork is delightful and charming, with adorable details to find across all of the different panels.
- With 8 different combinations to try out, the experience ranges from a simple puzzle to a more involved challenge.
- Most of the time is spent making decisions about where to write in the numbers, which can be quite strategic.
- Reaching the highest solo scoring tier is very difficult and doesn’t rely on luck, but on careful planning and playing.
- Not a lot of rules exist, particularly with the single or dual panels, and learning the basics doesn’t take much time.
- There is a surprising amount of thought that goes into the decisions without feeling overwhelming or tiring.
– Cons (Negatives)
- The included dry erase markers can leave indentations, and washing off wet erase markers can be a bit of a pain.
- A lot of luck is involved, which isn’t that big of a deal with the relaxed setting, but can be slightly frustrating.
- Some of the smaller rules aren’t fully explained, although everything becomes pretty simple after the first play.
- Cascading effects when multiple features are completed at once can be a little difficult to keep track of.
Victory Conditions
Reach the Highest Solo Scoring Tier
- Overall Goal Progress 33%
Goals and Milestones
Win at least 1 game in Calm Morning (A).
Win at least 1 game in Coffee Break (D).
Win at least 1 game in Under the Stars (BC).
Continue the Conversation
What is your favorite part of Daydream? Do you enjoy a specific combination or additional rule? It was lovely returning to this one after my initial experience. Dual panels certainly changed things up a lot! I find that I sometimes get surprised by the depth that a rather lightweight solo game can offer up. Yet I’m so glad I stumbled across this one. So cute and fun!
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