Find Dungeon Masters for Kids!

Capt. Mick

I’ve been running games for kids and young adults for the past 10 years. In most of that time I have used my own world. The game mechanics are based on D&D 5e, but have a custom pantheon and magic items that are uncommon and very special. Recently I have begun using a virtual gaming style using D&D Beyond and have been experimenting with some of the new classes and races in 5.5e. I have also jumped into the Humblewood campaign setting that I think is perfect for kids of all ages and adults who are young at heart. I’d love to bring Pugmire into some games also. I prize inclusivity, comfort, and fun above rules and game mechanics. Players can expect me to tailor my DM style to their experience level and imagination. I’m not great with voices, but you can expect me to try to differentiate characters with voice differences to the best of my abilities. Voices are something I am actively working on improving for my players. I also include background music when available. What I like best about D&D for kids is the ability for them to test out social skills in a safe, non judgemental space. It is also a perfect setting to really be who they are, to have a place to be nerdy and goofy, and imaginative problem solving at its best. I live on a small farm in north east colorado with my wife and youngest son. We have goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and dogs. We’re hoping to add a couple of barn cats in the near future. As you can probably tell I love the outdoors, nature, and animals. This love of all things animal and plant works well in the Humblewood setting which I hope to use to encourage children to have a more broadened experience with their own natural world. I started playing D&D in the 1980's. I got the basic box set for Christmas one year and have been playing since. I became a game master during my high school years when our group of friends couldn't find someone to lead us through an adventure. Another friend and I took turns DMing and playing. We progressed up to 2e with this party. I met a professional game master through another close friend and became a player for quite some time. Much of my GM style has come from his games. My five children, from the ages of 34 to 14, have played in D&D games with me at some point in their childhood or early adult lives. I have also run games for children of family friends. in 2015-2016 I was the dungeon master for an after school program at a private K-8 school in Boulder, CO. The program was so successful that the school asked me to return for the following summer to do week long camps for the middle school aged children. In the mornings we played D&D and in the afternoons we did "LARP," live action role play. We spent time making nerfed (foam and duct tape) weapons to go on adventures and battle each other with. Some of my favorite table top games are RISK, Stratego, Battleship, Magic the Gathering (pre-commander deck) and any kind of puzzles. My family is also big into Cribbage and plays any chance we get.

Colten

I've been DMing and playing ttrpgs (with adults and kids) at least weekly for the past 8 years. In my local community (Pittsburgh), I've run week-long D&D camps for middle schoolers and am in the process of developing an organized after-school program. My style is instructional but flexible; I teach the game to new players so they have a grasp of the rules and are equipped to go play with others, but I will always roll with their suggestions and take the adventure where they think the fun is.

Adam Wright

I have been passionate about tabletop role playing games for decades, both as a Dungeon Master running sessions, as a player, and as a writer. I write and publish independent tabletop adventures, wrote an official scenario for Paizo's Pathfinder Society Organized Play program, and write a Substack called Insight Check where I talk about tabletop systems and storytelling. My background is deeply rooted in supporting and mentoring young people. I worked for three years as a Special Education teacher for students with emotional and developmental disabilities. I have spent years volunteering in classrooms, assisting with high school drama productions, and serving as a Den Leader, Cub Master, and Assistant Scoutmaster in Scouting America. I continue to volunteer with Scouting America now that my child is grown. As a parent who regularly ran campaigns for scouts and my own family and friends, I know firsthand how valuable tabletop games are for helping kids build confidence, practice teamwork, and develop creative problem-solving skills in a safe environment. At my table, I focus on creating a welcoming, structured space where kids feel comfortable speaking up and working together. My goal is to guide players through fun, heroic adventures where everyone gets a fair share of the spotlight and leaves the session feeling capable and heroic.

Devin

Hello! I'm Devin, and I've been playing tabletop roleplaying games for over 30 years, both as a player and a Dungeon Master. For the past two years, I've also had the privilege of running a weekly after-school Dungeons & Dragons club at my local library for 4th - 8th grade students. Working with younger players has been a very rewarding part of my experience as a DM. My goal isn't simply to teach kids how to play D&D; it's to create a safe, welcoming environment where they can build confidence, make friends, and use their imaginations. The program had three main goals: Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons: Covering the basic rules, character creation, and game mechanics. Community Building: Creating a safe and welcoming space where kids can work collaboratively with their peers, forging friendships and having adventures. Group Formation: Helping kids gain the skills and confidence to eventually join or start their own D&D groups, fostering teamwork and social interaction. I try to carry the spirit of these goals into every table I run with kids. D&D can be a lifelong hobby that brings so many wonderful things with it. I really want kids to find the same joy I've found with the game and to take that with them well beyond my table.

Chuck

Hi there, I'm Chuck and I serve as a Game Master and have always been a storyteller throughout my life, having gained more than ten years of experience in working with children in creative, educational, and recreational situations. I've worked with kids in a variety of age groups as a camp counselor, film instructor, tutor, and educator. One of the most satisfying aspects of my work has always been creating a friendly and encouraging atmosphere in which children can be creative, build their confidence, and enjoy themselves. I have been playing and acting as a game master for table-top role-playing games for approximately seven years, and I particularly enjoy the way D&D offers children the opportunity to work together, deal with problems, express themselves, and co-create stories. Since I have undergone training as an improviser at the Second City Conservatory Program, I have a solid foundation in communication, creativity, and thinking on the spot that I apply in each game. The aim I have as a game master is to ensure that every player feels that their views are being heard, that they are included, and that they are excited about taking part in the adventure. Since I was a child I have enjoyed making up and telling stories, instead of studying the Pythagorean theorem I used my math notebook to write fantasy stories (apologies to Mrs. Greenfield). My great interest has always been in storytelling, and I enjoy the fact that tabletop games allow young people to take an active role in the stories they create rather than just watching them happen. Above all else, D&D should be a setting in which children can have fun, make friends, try out new activities, and let their imaginations go wild. I'm looking forward to helping young adventurers roll the dice, tell some wonderful stories, and finding out just how much they can create together!

Erika Kathryn

My name is Erika, and I specialize in small-group (3 players, max!) social skills focused gaming sessions. These games are not therapeutic services; rather, I create games with intentional conflict and modeled resolutions to support problem solving, compromising, and interpersonal skills. Choices are given along the way to allow players to direct where a story goes, but it is not open-ended -- by doing this, I ensure each situation that arises requires group coordination and teamwork. D&D provides a consequence free environment for individuals to try new things, work through the hard stuff, and foster connections with their peers. The goal isn't to win, but to tell an illustrative story along the way. It is incredibly important to me to provide these opportunities to children and teens alike, especially as it serves as a launching point for their own identity exploration and community connection. Offline, I provide social skills individual and group therapy to neurodiverse children and teens, including specialized therapeutic gaming cohorts, non-therapeutic facilitated teen D&D hang outs, and a week-long summer D&D program. I have presented at local, national, and international conferences on my most favorite topic of all: utilizing tabletop gaming to support social skills and emotional flexibility. I even have a workbook in development for other practitioners who want to incorporate D&D into their practice but aren’t sure where to start.

Jim Williams

Hi there, my name is Jim and I have been helping kids be creative for more than 30 years. Since I was a teenager, I have worked with kids in the performing arts; coaching, directing, and acting with them. I have a background in musical theatre as well as team improv. I have run summer theatre programs for kids and directed in children's theaters all over the region. I have a 7-year old son who is looking to be a performer himself, so I don't see myself slowing down these endeavors anytime soon! As for my Gamemastering experience, I have been running TTRPG's since I bought the old WEG Star Wars Roleplaying Game in 1988, and have never looked back. In those almost 40 years (!) I have run countless sessions of D&D (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions, World of Darkness, D20 Modern, and many more. I carried my improv experience into the LARP scene as well and now sit on the board of directors for CT's long longest running fantasy LARP. I also help run a chapter of One World by Night, the largest World of Darkness LARP network in the world, and sat as a member of that organization's council for a long time. I love telling stories with players of all ages. My table is open, safe, and adaptable. I run a series of D&D one-shot set in various worlds from classic myths and literature, and have a child-focused original campaign setting as well. These are perfect setting for creating with young people. I look forward to the opportunity to tell stories with you!

DMJeff

My name is Jeffery Longa and I am an experienced GM for over 12 years. I am a Graphic Designer In Arkansas and I've been running games for children for 3 year now. My first foray into GM'ing wasn't DnD, it was actually Fantasy Flight's Starwars Edge of the Empire game with my friends. It was very narrative focused and rewarded storytelling and creativity. I think I've carried that mentaility even into crunchier more combat focused games. I love building a story and a world with my players. But as much as a good story is I love a good fight. Good vs evil, heroes and villains, I want that story we build up to end with a heroic (hopefully triumphant) stand. As mentioned, since 2023 I have been running the youth table at my local game store. It wasn't something I chose, it just happened. They were looking for GM's, I was looking to GM and most of the younger players ended up with me. As players settled I became the official youth table. And frankly it has been an incredible experience. I've had a core group of kids that have been playing at my table over these 3 years along with the others that come and go. We always have a joyous time and I welcome anyone and everyone to my table.

Cavin Eggleston

Hi, I'm Cavin Eggleston! I'm a former English teacher, a current comedian and improv performer, and a lifelong nerd. I have been in love with tabletop roleplaying games for close to a decade and am a forever DM that absolutely enjoys the ability to create fun and inviting player focused adventures. I also know the value of TTRPGs in helping develop skills and fostering empathy, communication, team building, and creativity. As an educator, I love TTRPGs because I believe they foster creativity, problem solving, and a collaborative mindset as we all work together to make a story. I enjoy seeing people make their first character and develop their voice as players and as members of an adventuring party. I have a rule of cool approach to DMing in which player agency and choice is the primary focus. We "yes, and" at this table. As a performer, I have ran over 100 games of live Dungeons & Dragons for audiences at comedy clubs and game shops around the United States. Many of our games, and the most fun ones, are all age and family friendly. We create a story based completely on audience interaction and involvement, so thinking on the fly and adapting to the needs of the table aren't issues! The nerd in me loves celebrating and getting excited about things that people are passionate about. Whether that's a game set in a galaxy far, far away, in a land of magic and ancient powers, or the grimdark future, I am comfortable making a game players will enjoy!

DM_Alex | Zoological Gardens

I’m a children's librarian, actor, musician, and lifelong Dungeon Master. But of all my ever-multiplying hobbies, I love running TTRPGs the most! One of the greatest joys of my career has been building an ongoing D&D program for kids and teens in grades K-9 at my local library, where over 60 children play and DM every month. I’ve seen firsthand how D&D acts as a powerful, constructive sandbox for young people. It naturally nurtures socioemotional development, sharpens creative and critical thinking, boosts problem-solving skills, and fosters deep empathy by bringing kids together from all backgrounds. Whether your young hero is brand-new to the hobby or ready to flex their storytelling muscles, I provide an encouraging, imaginative space where every player gets to shine.

cuddlegutz (Sofia)

Hi, I'm Sofia (she/they). I've played TTRPGs for over 20 years and GMed various systems throughout that time. I run one-shots and campaigns of D&D, Root: The RPG, Avatar Legends, and other systems when opportunities arise. I'm a former teacher, run all age games at my local shop, and have run lots of games with my own kiddos. I'm skilled in supporting LGBT and neurodiverse youth, and I love teaching games to new players!

Patrick Conaway

Hi, my name is Patrick! I'm a professional Game Master specializing in Dungeons & Dragons 5.5e (2024 rules). I have an extensive background in theatre, performing arts, improv, writing, and teaching. I am in my final year of film school, focused on writing and directing, and hope to own my own production company one day! I have been a camp counselor at performing arts camps for 8 years, working with students ages 6-14; worked as an assistant director for various middle and high school theatre programs; taught guest lectures on storytelling and video production; and most recently worked with a local Youth and Family Services Program to teach Dungeons & Dragons to teens. It brings me so much joy to practice my skills and draw from my experiences in the arts while running TTRPGs, and I'm looking forward to teaching the next generation the games that I love! I wish a program like this was available when I was growing up, so I'm so happy to be a part of it now! I have been a dungeon master for six years, and my specialty is getting the players involved in the world-building and making their choices matter. I think D&D and other TTRPGs have amazing social and emotional development opportunities built in, and my focus is to create a safe environment for kids and teens to tap into that potential within the games. Thanks for taking the time to learn about me, and I look forward to many more adventures!

Adam

In 2021, my son- then 14 -wanted to get his friends together to play D&D. We started a campaign with 4 of his friends. This led to my younger son, age 12 at the time, getting his friends together for a campaign...and eventually my youngest son joined in with his friends. I have run D&D games for birthday parties, and special 1 shot theme games for Halloween and Christmas. Outside of the games that I have run for my own kids, I work as a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania. Most of my career has been spent working with children and families. I have 300 professional games through Start Playing, and I will be running games at a local convention for the fourth year in a row.

DM Jill

I have been Running Dungeons and dragons games for ages 8 and up for over 6 years now. These story driven games are great for learning social skills, Math skills, Reading skills, Writing, Science, and History. My professional background includes teaching for 26 years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Education and have run professional games for kids for the last 6 years.

Britt S.

I've been running tabletop role-playing games since 2021, and what started as a hobby quickly became something I genuinely love sharing with others. Since then, I've run games for friends and family, conventions, community groups, and professionally for children and teens. A large part of my GM experience has been working with young players. Through Social Bridges, I run ongoing tabletop groups for students from upper elementary through high school, including a group specifically for fourth and fifth graders. I also regularly run games for friends' and family's kids. I'm a certified Therapeutic Game Master through Geek Therapeutics, which has helped me become more intentional about creating welcoming tables where different personalities and play styles have room to belong. Some kids jump immediately into character and want to talk to every NPC they meet. Others need time to observe or prefer to engage through combat, puzzles, or problem-solving. I enjoy finding ways for each player to participate, while helping the group practice communication, teamwork, turn-taking, and making decisions together. I've run Dungeons & Dragons since I first started GMing and have since expanded into several other systems. I love ridiculous dice rolls, unexpected player solutions, and creating the kind of table where kids feel comfortable being themselves and are excited to come back and find out what happens next.

Neall

I started gaming and running games as a boy at Scout camp. I met many lifelong friends through those experiences, and learned a lot about myself and how to interact with others through the way my characters interacted with the world and my fellow players. I fundamentally believe roleplaying games can be both fun and a growth experience for young people, and I would love to help create positive roleplaying experiences for children, teens, and young adults. I believe the most important aspect in any game is safety - something that applies to adults but most especially to younger players. It's paramount to ensure that kids are secure in themselves, each other player at the table, and in what their characters are doing. This does mean challenging them with different roleplaying scenarios, but keeping the challenge appropriate to age, experience, and comfort level. Roleplaying games can be a way to explore a number of sensitive topics in a safe environment, a way to build self-confidence with peer players, or just a fun and collaborative activity that lets a kid explore different personalities and build empathy by acting out how they might feel about a situation.