I’m looking for some RPG system recommendations for a group of five kids aged 9 to 12. Out of them, two have played D&D 5E with a bit of help on character creation, while the other three are brand new to tabletop RPGs. They are eager to explore a fantasy world filled with sword fights, dungeons, and monster battles. While I have a lot of experience with 5E, I feel it’s a bit too complex for this group. I do have some Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) content but haven’t run it yet. I’ve also heard good things about Worlds Without Number, which is free. Should I consider other options like Into the Odd or Five Torches Deep? I’m aiming for a gameplay loop that has meaningful choices without dragging out the gameplay. Appreciate any suggestions!
5 Answers
I’ve found that DCC and Worlds Without Number aren’t significantly simpler than 5E. For a more dungeon-crawly experience, I’d recommend looking into Shadowdark or Index Card RPG; they’re much more straightforward and fit well with what you’re describing.
ICRPG is fantastic for kids! It’s very adaptable and has simple mechanics that are similar to D&D. Combat and actions are quick, and it provides a really engaging experience without bogging things down with too many rules. Kids enjoy the loot mechanic too!
Cairn might be perfect for your group. It’s a simple, rules-light system designed for fantasy adventure and easy enough to adapt for younger kids. Plus, it’s free, so you can check it out without any cost!
If you want something class-based that isn’t too complicated, I’d suggest Shadowdark or even Beyond the Wall. Both are easy to learn; Shadowdark has a variety of classes while Beyond the Wall uses character background generation that can add depth without complexity.
Beyond the Wall is especially cool because it integrates character backgrounds into the story, making it more personal.
Consider Tiny Dungeon! It’s a super simple system requiring just a handful of d6s and an index card for characters. It’s easy to learn and fun for younger audiences.
I totally agree! The stripped-down mechanics mean kids can focus on having fun rather than getting lost in the rules. Plus, the art and themes are super appealing for that age.