Awesome card-based tabletop RPGs for kids and teens!
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The feature image is from The Winter Wonder Express by TTRPGkids!
Jump to: THE LIST of card-based tabletop RPGs for kids and teens!
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Cards adding different elements to your tabletop RPGs!
I made this list so you could find some card-based tabletop RPGs to give a bit different feel for your games. Sometimes, you want to try something different from dice or want to see if using cards helps with keeping focus in the game more (it makes choice points clear and gives an object to focus on for the game). There are actually A LOT of card based tabletop RPGs out there, but like with dice base tabletop RPGs, a lot of them aren’t really focused on or great for kids. This list is about games that are focused on kids, teens, or all ages with target audience ages listed so you can find something that’s just right! I also listed out how the cards are used so you know if you need a custom deck of cards or can use a standard deck of playing cards.
I’m hoping this help parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone wanting to try out using a card based tabletop RPG with their kids, but, with that in mind, I also know that everyone is different. I did my best to sort through the games here and give a little bit of a description so you can have an easier time reviewing and picking some options that will work for your particular players without having to search around, but please also use your own discression when picking a game for your particular players.
Suggestions for adding to this card based tabletop RPGs for kids and teens list
If you have a recommendation for a game to add, please let me know through the TTRPGkids contact form so I can consider adding it to this list or my big game list! I’ll be adding to this list as I come across more games, so stay tuned! For recommendations, I’m looking for card based roleplaying games that are geared at kids or teens or are intended for all-ages, as they are currently published.
List of card based tabletop RPGs for kids and teens!
| Game name | Age range | How cards are used | Find a copy | TTRPGkids posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Dowser | all ages | custom tarot cards + dice | itchio | review |
| The Librarian's Apprentice | all ages | standard playing cards + 2d6 | itchio | review |
| GDEC (Global Dragon Egg Conservation) | all ages | standard playing cards + journaling | itchio | review |
| UNLucky Adventurers | 8+ | custom cards + 1d6 | kickstarter | review |
| Omotenashi | all ages | deck of playing cards | itchio | review |
| Adorablins | all ages | custom cards + 2d6 | DriveThru | review interview |
| Fliptales | 8+ | custom cards + tokens | game website | interview review |
| The Winter Wonder Express | all ages | custom printable cards or standard playing cards | itchio | Published by TTRPGkids! |
| Business Card Quest | all ages (may vary per card, TTRPGkids cards are all ages) | business cards | itchio | Published by TTRPGkids! |
| Adventure Builder | 5+ | custom cards + dice | kickstarter | |
| Alterra: Age of Exploration | all ages | custom cards + d20 system | game website DriveThruRPG | |
| Crescent Moon | all ages | printable custom cards + d8 system | itchio | |
| D&D Adventure Begins | 10+ | custom cards + tokens and dice | game website | |
| D&D: Dungeon Scrawlers | 8+ | tile cards + tokens | game website | |
| Delve | 4+ | standard playing cards | game website | |
| Dungeon Mayhem | 8+ | custom cards + tokens | game website | |
| Expedition | 8+ | custom cards | game website | |
| Here to Slay | 10+ | custom cards + d6 system | game website | |
| Monster Madness | 8+ | custom cards + tokens | game website | |
| Once Upon a Time | all ages | custom cards | game website | |
| Robit Riddle | 8+ | custom cards + dice | game website | |
| Silly Situations | 7+ | custom cards | walmart | |
| Talent Quest | all ages | standard playing cards | itchio DriveThruRPG | |
| Trashnautica | all ages | standard playing cards + 2d6 | itchio | |
| For the Queen | 13+ | custom cards | game website | |
| Index Card RPG | all ages | custom cards | DriveThru |
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Thank you for playing tabletop RPGs with your kids and helping to bring this fun hobby to the next generation! Keep up to date on new reviews, games, and articles with the TTRPGkids monthly newsletter, and please also let me know in the comments if you have feedback on the site or this has helped you in some way!