Children aged 8–18 in the US spend up to seven hours a day on their screens. With concerns about screen time, social connection, and youth mental health continuing to rise, many parents are looking for activities that do more than simply entertain. Families seek hobbies that foster creativity, communication, and meaningful face-to-face interaction while supporting their children’s development, and Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) fit the bill.
To learn more about how TTRPGs affect children and teens, StartPlaying surveyed 750 US parents whose children participate in games such as Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs. Parents shared what changes they have observed in their children’s communication skills, creativity, academic engagement, social development, screen habits, and family relationships. The results reveal why many families see tabletop gaming as more than a pastime and why its popularity continues to grow, including through programmes such as Young Heroes.
Benefits beyond entertainment
The majority of parents (86%) agreed tabletop RPGs offer more benefits than just entertainment. This included 37% who considered them a skill-building hobby, and 30% who said it honed their child’s social skills and creativity. Another 18% went as far as to say TTRPGs are one of the most valuable activities their child does, meaning 55% called them either a meaningful skill-building hobby or one of the most valuable activities their child does. Because of this, 83% said they are likely to recommend TTRPGs to another parent, with 44% saying “very likely.”
For many kids, this is not a passing hobby. Some 55% said their child has been playing TTRPGs for a year or more, including 30% who have been playing for more than two years. Over two-thirds (67%) of respondents said they play at least once a week, including 38% who play several times a week. In the past year, 68% of respondents said they had played TTRPGs at home with family. Over half (58%) said they had played with a parent or guardian, and 62% had played with siblings or other relatives. Additionally, 56% have played with friends or peers in the past year.
Communication and teamwork
More than three-quarters (77%) of parents said their child is better at working with others towards a shared goal than they were before playing TTRPGs. A similar share (74%) said their child is better able to understand other people’s perspectives, and 69% said their child is more considerate of others’ feelings. Nearly two-thirds (66%) said their child had got better at compromising when they disagree.
7 in 10 parents (70%) said their child is more likely to speak up in group settings, and 68% said their child is able to explain their ideas more clearly. Over two-thirds (67%) said their child has become better at listening to others. Over half of parents (59%) said TTRPGs are better at helping kids practise communication skills than any other activity or tool.
Creativity, confidence and problem solving
Parents say that on top of boosting their child’s confidence (64%) and encouraging their creativity (61%), TTRPGs are better than any other pastime at teaching problem-solving skills (72%). Specifically, 74% said their child has improved at thinking through choices before acting, 75% said their child has improved at sharing creative ideas, 71% reported improvements in coming up with creative solutions, and 70% said their child is better at adapting when plans change.
Three-quarters (75%) of parents said their kids feel more comfortable being themselves around their peers, and 64% said their child feels a stronger sense of belonging through TTRPGs. More than two-thirds (68%) said their child is now more comfortable serving as a leader within a group, and two-thirds (67%) reported that their children managed frustration more effectively.
Academic engagement
Almost half (44%) of parents said their child reads more often and more willingly after playing tabletop games, and 46% said their child’s vocabulary has improved. Another 36% said their child has become more interested in writing, drawing, or creating their own stories. Nearly half (47%) said their child has become more curious and asks more questions. Many explore related topics, with 46% saying their child is more interested in subjects such as history, mythology, science, or geography. Dice rolls help with numbers, as 35% said their child is more comfortable with mental maths or working with numbers.
Over 2 in 5 (44%) parents said their children can stay focused for longer periods of time without a screen. Only 5% of parents reported no academic benefits, meaning the vast majority (95%) observed positive changes extending into the classroom.
Effect on screen time
Nearly half (47%) of parents said their child spends less passive or solo time on screens since picking up tabletop gaming, including 15% who said their child spends much less time using screens. Only 20% reported an increase. Parents reported that 44% of their children participated in online versions of their favourite TTRPGs. Nearly 1 in 4 (22%) were worried that their child’s passive screen time would increase as a result, but 76% said it either lessened or stayed the same. Nearly two-thirds (63%) rated tabletop games as the best way to keep their kids away from passive screen time.
Friendships and family time
Over half (51%) of parents noticed that their children became more comfortable socialising in person, and 41% said their child was more willing to try new social activities. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) watched their child strengthen existing friendships through TTRPGs, and 37% saw their child make new friends through the gaming community. Additionally, 22% of children made new friends specifically by going through a campaign together. One-third (30%) said their child felt they belonged in the tabletop community they found, and 27% said their child was less lonely or isolated after starting the hobby. A similar share (28%) said their child was able to connect with people of different ages and backgrounds.
Over half (55%) of parents said tabletop gaming increased their amount of family time, including 21% who reported a noticeable improvement in the quality of that time together.
Parents’ concerns
A third (34%) worry about the time commitment. Another 21% worry about moderation in online gaming spaces, and 27% have had concerns about finding an age-appropriate tabletop group. Online RPG spaces are growing in a way that both protects and accommodates kids. Parents who want a safe way to find their kids an adventuring party can find sites and apps that connect kids with their peers and their community.
Why TTRPGs stand out
What makes TTRPGs stand out is that they demand active engagement. Players are not just consuming a story; they help create it. Success often depends on communicating with others, working as a team, thinking creatively, and solving problems together. These experiences can reinforce skills that extend beyond the game table. Whether played with friends, siblings, or parents, TTRPGs encourage shared experiences, conversation, and cooperation. The hobby’s growing popularity suggests that families value these opportunities for connection, making tabletop roleplaying games more than entertainment. They can also be a powerful way to support personal growth and strengthen relationships.