Grab your juice boxes and initiative trackers—it’s time to run D&D for the most chaotic party of all: children.
In this RPGBOT.Masterclass Remastered episode, the hosts are joined by educator and Dungeon Master David Lemke, who shares his expertise on running tabletop RPGs—particularly Dungeons & Dragons—for children. The conversation blends pedagogical insight with practical game mastering advice, offering tools, tips, and examples from David's real-world experience leading kid-friendly adventures. From session structure and tone to safety and engagement strategies, this episode equips GMs of all levels with the knowledge they need to run rewarding, responsible games for younger players.
David Lemke
RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
Topics Covered
Key Questions Answered
Structure and Consistency Are Crucial
Children thrive with predictable session formats, recurring NPCs, and simple mechanics introduced in layers.
Fun Comes First
Prioritize engagement and joy. Mechanics can wait—story, agency, and laughter are more important than perfect rules compliance.
Rules Can Be Training Wheels
Simplified rulesets or modified stat blocks help children feel empowered without cognitive overload.
Session Length Matters
Games for younger players are typically best kept to 60–90 minutes, with physical movement or breaks built in.
Age-Appropriate Themes
Tone down horror, violence, and complex moral ambiguity. Focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and simple, heroic stakes.
Incorporate Physicality
Props, dice towers, maps, and miniatures provide tactile feedback and keep attention focused.
Safety Tools Aren’t Just for Adults
Use check-ins, “stop” mechanics, and clear expectations for behavior to build a safe, inclusive table.
Behavior = Feedback
Disruptive behavior is often a sign that the pacing or content needs adjusting, not that the child is “bad at D&D.”
Parental Involvement Helps
Keeping parents informed and engaged (or even including them at the table) helps build trust and supports continuity.
Roleplay Builds Life Skills
Improv, empathy, decision-making, and consequence are all transferable life lessons baked into the game.
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