By Rainbow Services Librarian Hal
Have you ever wished you could explore the worlds of your favorite characters? Do you dream of running off on a grand adventure with your friends by your side? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you might want to try tabletop roleplaying at your next game night.
I am a huge fan of tabletop roleplaying games, but not because I love dragons, unicorns, and all things magical. Tabletop roleplaying opens up opportunities to explore identity, name emotions, build problem-solving skills, learn teamwork, and practice math and creative writing, all in the context of a fun game.
They can feature stories of any genre, and they don’t need to focus on killing monsters with swords or magic. In fact, roleplaying adventures can encourage young people to listen, build empathy, and find other avenues for navigating conflict.
Want to give tabletop roleplaying games a try?
Here are some resources to get you started!
Explore the virtual tutorial
Explore our virtual tutorial to explore resources to help you get started, including rules to learn games beyond Dungeons & Dragons. Click the play button on this page to get started!
Try these books
Check out a Discovery Kit
- Imagination & Collaboration Kit: Create your own fantasy adventure with Stories of the Three Coins, a collaborative storytelling game. This kit comes with a game and choose-your-own-adventure picturebook.
- Tabletop Roleplaying Discovery Kit: Unleash your magic and imagination! This kit has everything you need to play Spell: the RPG, including a book of pre-written adventures.
- Wanderhome Tabletop Roleplaying Discovery Kit: Embark on a journey in the land of Haeth, a world full of animal folk and wonder. This kit has everything you need to play Wanderhome, including a guide for solo adventures.
About Hal
Hal is a children’s librarian who specializes in serving LGBTQ+ young people and their allies. He is passionate about identity exploration through collaborative storytelling and imaginative play.