Choosing the right game on Young Heroes for your kid or teen can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you or your child are new to TTRPGs.
This guide walks you through what to look for in a listing so you can find a game that fits your schedule, experience level, and play style before you sign up.
Step 1: Check the Experience Level
Every Dungeons & Dragons game on Young Heroes includes an Experience Level tag. This tells you what kind of player the DM is expecting:
Beginner
No experience needed. The DM will teach your child the rules as they go. Start here if your young hero has never played a TTRPG before.
Intermediate
Your child has played a few sessions and they have a basic grasp of how characters works. They may still have questions, but they understand the basics of Dungeons & Dragons.
Advanced
Your child is comfortable with the rules. They can build and play their character with minimal guidance.
When in doubt, start your young hero with a Beginner or one-shot game. One-shots are single-session adventures, so they're a a low-commitment way to try Dungeons & Dragons or a new DM before signing up for a full campaign.
Step 2: Read the Content Warnings
All game listings include content warnings that flag mature or potentially sensitive themes like violence, horror, or dark storylines. Read these carefully before signing up.
If a warning covers something you or your child would rather not encounter, this probably isn't the right game for you. That's completely okay!
If you're unsure what a warning means in practice, message the DM before signing up (see Step 5 below).
Every game on Young Heroes is required to use safety tools. These are in-session techniques that let anyone at the table pause or redirect the game if something becomes uncomfortable. See Safety Tools to learn how they work.
Step 3: Review the Details
Make sure the game fits your life before you commit:
Schedule
Check the day, time, and frequency. For campaigns, sessions typically run weekly or bi-weekly.
Make sure you can make most sessions. Consistent attendance matters for the whole table.
Session length
Sessions on Young Heroes are a maximum of 4 hours, though most are between 90 minutes - 2 hours.
Price
Each listing shows the per-session price. You are not charged when you sign up. You're charged 1 hour after the session starts.
Age Range
Choose what age-range your Young Guardian fits into:
9 to 10
11 to 12
13 to 14
15 to 17
Age ranges are tied to our content guidelines.
Seats remaining
If a game is visible on the Find Games page, it still has open spots.
Step 4: Look at the Dungeon Master's Profile
Click through to the DM's profile before signing up. Here's what to look at:
Reviews and star rating
Read what past parents have said about this DM. Look for comments about the DM's communication, pacing, and how they handle new players.
Bio and play style
DMs describe their style and what to expect at their table. If their description and experience resonates with you, that's a good sign!
Response time
Shows how quickly the GM typically responds to messages.
Step 5: Message the DM if you have questions
You don't have to sign up for a game to send a message. If you're unsure whether a game is right for your child, reach out to the DM first. Good things to ask:
Is this game suitable for someone with child's experience level?
What does [content warning] look like in practice at your table?
What kinds of educational topics will this game cover?
A DM who responds warmly and clearly to questions before you've even signed up is a good sign for how they'll run the table. See How Do I Message a Dungeon Master? for steps.
Step 6: Ready to join?
Once you've found a game that feels right, signing up takes just a few clicks.
After you're confirmed, check your email for Prep Materials from your DM. This includes any information you or your child need before the game. See What Happens After I Sign Up For a Young Heroes Game?