About the Games subject area
Games classes are built around playing and learning through actual games: tabletop RPGs, chess, Minecraft, board games, card games, and more. Great games classes build strategic thinking, teamwork, and creativity through play that kids genuinely look forward to each week.
Note: This category is for classes where the game IS the experience, not classes that use games as a teaching tool for other subjects. Kahoot-style quizzes, gamified math drills, and “game-based learning” for academic subjects belong in their respective subject areas (math, science, etc.), not here.
Example Listing
Title: Dungeons & Dragons: Young Adventurers
Summary: Learners embark on collaborative storytelling adventures through Dungeons & Dragons, building creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in an imaginative tabletop RPG setting.
Class Description
Each week, young adventurers gather around the virtual table for a guided D&D session where they make choices, solve problems, and tell stories together. I serve as the Dungeon Master, creating age-appropriate quests with puzzles, friendly NPCs, and exciting (but never scary) challenges. Learners develop their characters over time, but each session includes a complete mini-adventure so new players can join any week. D&D naturally builds reading, math, social, and creative thinking skills and, all-the-while, kids just think they’re having a blast.
Session Structure & Pacing
Each session begins with a quick recap and character check-in, dives into the week’s guided adventure with role-play, puzzles, and group decision-making, and wraps with a cliffhanger preview and experience point celebration. I keep the pace moving and make sure every player gets a moment to shine.
Materials & Setup
No materials needed to start! I provide pre-made character sheets for beginners. Learners may want paper and a pencil to jot down notes about their adventures. Free online dice rollers are used during the session, no physical dice are required. Learners who get hooked may eventually want their own Player’s Handbook, but it’s not necessary.
Tips for Families
Who would this class be great for? This class is perfect for imaginative kids who love storytelling, fantasy, and making choices that shape a story. No D&D experience is needed; I teach the rules as we play. Learners should be comfortable speaking up in a group and engaging in collaborative pretend play.
Parent guidance: D&D is a collaborative storytelling game; think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure guided by a group. All content is age-appropriate (no horror or mature themes). Many parents are surprised by how much reading, math, and social negotiation happen naturally during play. This is a longer 55-minute session to allow enough time for a satisfying adventure arc.
Sample Topics
- The Missing Merchant: Investigation and problem-solving in a fantasy marketplace
- Dragon Egg Rescue: A wilderness trek with nature puzzles and animal companions
- The Enchanted Library: Solving riddles and decoding clues to break a spell
- Festival of Heroes: Friendly competitions testing each character’s unique abilities
- The Underground River: Navigating a cave system with teamwork and creative thinking
- Castle Rebuilders: Helping a community rebuild after a storm using planning and collaboration