Allison and Kurt talk about how non-player characters in role playing games often fall flat and give tips for bringing NPCs to life with depth and humor that'll have your players feeling all the feels. 

Get NPC ideas from @sidekqpodcast with the link or on your favorite podcast app!

Peep the character art for Hippopotamus the Flumph Wizard: Sombrisa Art (@sombrisa) | Cara

Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

Our kid Dungeons & Dragons heroes are left reeling after discovering that Arugon has apparently been working with an agent of the god of power! Have they truly been betrayed by the one they once called friend? 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Shoutout to our incredible partners:

• Emberglow Gaming - GM Shield (affiliate, 10% off: TheKidsTable)
• Roll & Play Press - D&D Ideas (10% off affiliate link)
• The Shop of Many Things - Puzzle Box (30% off affiliate link)
• 1985 Games - Maps (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• DnD Adventure Club - Kids' Adventures (10% off: KIDSTABLE10)
• Monument Studios - Music (30% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Mordenkatie's Magnificent Minis - PC Minis (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Trillium Rose Acres - Monster Minis (15% off: THEKIDSTABLE)
• Daily Hero Forge - PC Mini Design
• Ember Rest - Game Host

 

0:00 Recap

0:20 Skip Intro

14:39 A Friend Appears

19:37 Next Time On The Kids Table

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

Allison and Jon talk about his rules-lite fantasy RPG for 1 to 4 players "One Shot in the Dark", the nostalgia of playing Old School Revival-style games, and why it's important to create space for the imagination. "One Shot in the Dark" is a great game for adults, kids, or mixed-age groups and is suitable for both beginner and veteran players!

Grab your copy of "One Shot in the Dark" (and its expansions) at Drive Thru RPG! Also available in Portuguese!

You can find Jon's audio drama podcast (designed for adults) "Tale Of The Manticore" on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

In this family-friendly TTRPG, the Invisible Queen has called upon the bravest heroes in the land to stop the rats below the castle from eating through the foundations! Can our would-be heroes discover the cause of this strange rock-eating habit and resolve the conflict peacefully before the castle collapses into dust?

The Kids Table Presents is our way of showcasing some of the best family-friendly Tabletop Roleplaying Games! "The Rat King" is the first adventure in "Master of Fables" by Szkoła Wyobraźni, or Family RPG, depending on where in the world you're located. "Master of Fables" has been the top kids' TTRPG in Poland for several years and is now available in both English and Polish. 

Find Master of Fables: On Gamefound

FREE Digital Demos: Polish Demo, English Demo

Master of Fables Websites: Polish Website, English Website

Follow Master of Fables: Polish Facebook Page, English Facebook Page, YouTube Page

 

To find StoryGuider: Coloring Book Adventures for Kids Ages 2-7, visit Backerkit or TTRPGKids.itch.io!

 

More From The Kids Table: 

• Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

 

Background music by Monument Studios (30% off: KIDSTABLE)

 

Story Chapters:

0:18 The Invisible Queen's Quest

10:17 The Door Puzzle

21:09 Befriending Whisker & Claw

28:29 The Rat King

41:10 The Curse

 

#ttrpg #ttrpgfamily #familygame

Land of Eem is a whimsical roleplaying game of exploration, discovery, and creativity that's best described as "The Muppets meets Lord of the Rings". Receiving 3 Ennie 2025 awards for Best Family Game, Best Monster, AND Best Production Value, it's an absolute slam dunk of a family game. In this episode, Allison chats with Land of Eem creators Ben Costa and James Parks about the inspiration and creation process for their wacky world of adventure! To find out more, visit Land of Eem: Beginner's RPG for Kids on Kickstarter or Land of Eem Website.

To find StoryGuider: Coloring Book Adventures for Kids Ages 2-7, visit Backerkit or TTRPGKids.itch.io!

Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

In this episode of our kid-focused Dungeons & Dragons adventure, our heroes have finally gained access to the inner vault! As they seek answers, they discover one member of the party has secrets yet to be uncovered...

To find StoryGuider: Coloring Book Adventures for Kids Ages 2-7, visit Backerkit or TTRPGKids.itch.io!

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

 

Shoutout to our incredible partners:

• Emberglow Gaming - GM Shield (affiliate, 10% off: TheKidsTable)
• Roll & Play Press - D&D Ideas (10% off affiliate link)
• The Shop of Many Things - Puzzle Box (30% off affiliate link)
• 1985 Games - Maps (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• DnD Adventure Club - Kids' Adventures (10% off: KIDSTABLE10)
• Monument Studios - Music (30% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Mordenkatie's Magnificent Minis - PC Minis (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Trillium Rose Acres - Monster Minis (15% off: THEKIDSTABLE)
• Daily Hero Forge - PC Mini Design
• Ember Rest - Game Host

 

0:00 Recap 0:20 Episode 17 (Skip Intro) 18:05 Arc 6 Interlude: Where's Vee Been?

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

What happens when the DM rolls too well, and panics as they realize they may have just gone overboard, upsetting the story and the players? Allison & Ryan discuss how they handle this situation when DMing for kids.

To find StoryGuider: Coloring Book Adventures for Kids Ages 2-7, visit Backerkit or TTRPGKids.itch.io!

Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

With three of our heroes nearly down for the count facing a virtually invincible robot, there is little hope left for our kid-focused Dungeons & Dragons party! Hey, what's up with these futuristic tech terminals?

To find StoryGuider: Coloring Book Adventures for Kids Ages 2-7, visit Backerkit or TTRPGKids.itch.io!

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

 

Shoutout to our incredible partners:

• Emberglow Gaming - GM Shield (affiliate, 10% off: TheKidsTable)
• Roll & Play Press - D&D Ideas (10% off affiliate link)
• The Shop of Many Things - Puzzle Box (30% off affiliate link)
• 1985 Games - Maps (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• DnD Adventure Club - Kids' Adventures (10% off: KIDSTABLE10)
• Monument Studios - Music (30% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Mordenkatie's Magnificent Minis - PC Minis (10% off: KIDSTABLE)
• Trillium Rose Acres - Monster Minis (15% off: THEKIDSTABLE)
• Daily Hero Forge - PC Mini Design
• Ember Rest - Game Host

 

0:00 Recap 0:24 Episode 16: It Has An Off Switch? (Skip Intro) 22:36 Next Time On...

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

Our kid-focused Dungeons & Dragons adventure has led our heroes to a secret room within a forbidden library, but the room was already occupied...by a giant, angry robot! Will the Library Guardian put an end to our heroes' search for missing followers of Ismiene, or might they uncover an even bigger secret along the way?   0:00 When Last We Saw Our Heroes 0:40 Episode 15: Battle with a Bot 25:01 Next Time on The Kids Table

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs with kids helps develop critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence - while building connections around the table. That's why we offer this original, kid-inclusive Dungeons & Dragons show along with tip videos and our own D&D campaigns for kids to help you play TTRPGs with the kids at your own table!

For Our Kids' Adventures & More: www.thekidstablednd.com To Support Our Work: Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

We are SO THANKFUL for our awesome partners: *GM Shield provided by Emberglow Gaming, (affiliate link, 10% off: TheKidsTable) *Ideas for D&D: Roll & Play Press (10% off affiliate link) *Puzzle Box provided by The Shop of Many Things (30% off affiliate link) *Maps provided by 1985 Games (10% off: KIDSTABLE) *Kids' D&D Adventures: DnD Adventure Club (10% off: KIDSTABLE10) *Music provided by Monument Studios (30% off: KIDSTABLE) *PC Mini Printing & Painting by Mordenkatie's Magnificent Minis (10% off: KIDSTABLE) *Monster Mini Printing & Painting by Trillium Rose Acres (15% off: THEKIDSTABLE) *PC Mini Custom Design by Daily Hero Forge *Game Host: Ember Rest

#dungeonsanddragons #actualplay #familyfriendly

Different D&D players are smart in different ways, so why not incorporate puzzles (challenges) to keep all players' brains engaged and give each individual their time to shine? In this episode, Allison and Ryan chat with Trevor of Emberglow Gaming about Multiple Intelligences Theory and how to use puzzles of all kinds to enhance your game. See below for a list of ideas!   For high quality TTRPG accessories like GM screens, dice bags, and subscription boxes that'll wow your players, visit https://bit.ly/KidsTableDND (10% off with link or use code "TheKidsTable").   To find TTRPGs with the themes & learning goals you need, visit www.ttrpgkids.com and search for your terms of interest.   Here's a list of D&D puzzles to help get you started. What other puzzles would you like to add?   Kinesthetic (body) -obstacle course/laser maze -relay race -cup bowling -peanut butter river   Visual-Spatial (picture) -puzzles -draw/color/sculpt -tetris/tangrams -spot the difference    Verbal-Linguistic (words) -riddles (also logic) -codes -scrambled words -tongue twisters   Logical-Mathematical (logic) -dot to dot -mazes -magnatiles/legos (also kinesthetic) -memory game   Interpersonal (people) -telephone game -stand on the sheet and turn it over -watch where you step (communication game) -doppleganger (social deduction game)   Intrapersonal (self) -journaling -affirmations -meditation -regulating tools Naturalistic (nature) -rainbow nature scavenger hunt -cloud/bird/star watching -species/shell identification -animal sounds game   Musical (musical) -rhythm clapping -repeat the tune -instrument sound identification -create an instrument  

Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! 

About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home!

• Our Kids' Adventures:  Our Website
• To Support Our Work:  Patreon
• Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

#dndactualplay #family #dungeonsanddragons #thekidstablednd #dndwithkids #actualplay #ttrpg #familyshow #familygames #kids #adventure #fantasy#drama #storytelling #roleplaying #puzzles #activitiesforkids #multipleintelligences