How To Be A DM For Your Kids

Parents know that getting kids to focus for more than a few seconds (especially without the aid of a screen) is more impossible than rolling 3 natural 20s in a row. So being a DM to kids and first-time players can be a nerve-wracking experience. Dwindling attention, nervous players, and improper gaming etiquette can lead to a chaotic and frustrating experience.

Additionally, being a DM who also keeps breaking the rules will add to the already stressful situation. So, to avoid infuriating the players, you need to understand the rules and be better prepared. It helps to research and read websites such as Adventurer’s loot which contains all the rules, spells, monsters, and playing styles. All this information will make being a DM less daunting, as you’ll be able to better connect with players and be in charge of a great game.

Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking to be a DM for your kids, ensuring you have a magical time together.

Preparing the Characters

Getting the quest set up is already half the fun, but for first-time players, this might be where you lose them. Players, especially kids, don’t always know how far they can stretch their imagination before the game starts so it might be best to use a starter kit with some pregens. Assigning pre-generated characters like the energy harnessing Monk 5e or weapon-yielding Warriors will save time and energy that can be better spent on the quest.

If players want to create their own characters, it might be better to focus on the style of play instead of in-depth info on races and damage that classes deal. Players can choose if they want to lurk in the shadows or wield the power of magic spells, do close-up combat with monsters or defend from a distance.

Consider your Adventure Carefully

Using a starter kit that you are familiar with will also help you be a better dungeon master. If you have played the adventure before you can use your time to help players along the way instead of focusing on where the journey goes.

Don’t even think about elaborate campaigns! Leave the lengthy backstories and nuanced folklore at the door and start with something simple. Try to keep it short and wrap up the game in an hour or two.

Keep the goal clear

When you are playing with young kids and first-timers, it is important to stick to a clear goal. Create a villain that everyone can recognize as the bad guy and help everyone understand how it can be defeated. There should be no grey area about when the goal has been reached.

Simply put: do the thing or fail. Forget about side goals and subplots. Eye on the prize!

Keep It Short

It’s no secret that kids have a short span and when DM for your kids, you should consider this. So, to keep everyone engaged in the Adventure, keep the session short and fun. Most kids might not retain engagement after about an hour and a half. Keeping D &D short and fun might keep your kids coming back for more. 

Use Visual Aids

The world of tabletop role-playing games is a fascinating one, and playing a game of DnD with little more than your imagination is a stimulating endeavor. However, not having any visual references is difficult for kids. Using maps, minis, costumes, and props is a great way to help kids understand the lay of the land and better plan their strategy.

Kids simply love having something physical to use during the game. Add trinkets to the game or send them on a weapon shopping spree. All of these will make you the best DM in their eyes.

Play to their strengths

When it comes to playing with kids, you need to approach the game a little differently. Adults often revert to logic and dice outcomes while kids really hype up the action during attacks. Lean into their creativity and feed off their crazy antics. A simple hit can be turned into an elaborate description of dismemberment.

Don’t for one second think things will go by the book when playing DnD with kids. You are in for a myriad of harebrained schemes and Wile E. Coyote-esque adventures. Kids don’t need to follow all the rules by the book and their zany escapades might not always seem like the best solution to a problem. But at the end of the day, the game is about them and they can make as many mistakes as they want.

Don’t kill!

This is one of the most important rules when being a DM for your kids. Leave death out of the equation. Young players don’t deal well with being eliminated out of the game so try and help them out of a sticky situation when you see the grim reaper on the horizon.

There are plenty of ways around this. Instead, they can go to prison, get captured, or just get knocked out. Getting them back in the game is easy and adds a fun little side adventure.

At the end of the day, being a DM for your kids is all about having fun. Help them foster a love for DnD at a young age and continue your proud legacy of fantasy adventures.

Be Patient

Kids are known for being loud and rowdy, with high chances of being sidetracked or distracted. Therefore, you should have lots of patience with the kids, especially those who are still new to the game. Patience allows kids to focus on the game and keep at the task. This way, every child will have a wonderful time, especially the shy players. With enough patience, these quiet players will be heard and might end up being the most outgoing player in the long run.