
Kids on Bikes TTRPG · Kids on Bikes Roleplaying Game
Kids on Bikes
Kids on Bikes places you in a small town where friendship and curiosity encounter the strange. You take on the roles of kids, teens, or adults with everyday concerns and big hearts, cycling into whispers, culverts, and restricted areas. The tone is a mix of cosy and eerie. Laughter coexists with goosebumps. Simple rules ensure the focus remains on choices, emotions, and teamwork, allowing the mystery to unfold quickly and remain personal.
Prefer narrative over statistics? This game excels at birthdays, family gatherings, and relaxed team events. It is suitable for children, but adults enjoy it as well. A professional Game Master leads the mystery, manages clues, and ensures shy players feel at ease, whether in person or online. Browse available Game Masters to find the right match for your group and schedule.
How to play Kids on Bikes
Each trait uses a different die, from d4 to d20. When the outcome is uncertain, you roll the die for the most relevant trait against a target number set by the Game Master. High is good, and dice can explode, allowing you to roll again and add. Failure does not mean nothing happens; it earns Adversity Tokens that you can spend to boost later rolls or assist a friend. Some tables also share a special Powered Character with unique abilities.
You bring a character idea, a couple of strengths and flaws, and a willingness to collaboratively build the town. Our Game Masters provide a map of locations, vivid NPCs, layered clues, and safety tools, pacing scenes so everyone gets a moment. A one-shot focuses on quick town creation and a single mystery with a clear payoff. A campaign develops relationships, deepens the oddities, and allows consequences to resonate across seasons. Learn about GM styles at GM playstyles.




Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know the rules or own a rulebook?
You do not need to know the rules or purchase anything. A professional Game Master will teach you the basics in minutes and keep the game flowing. Character creation is quick, based on simple traits and a few quirks. The group collaborates to build the town, so your ideas are important from the start. The dice are easy to read. If children are playing, explanations remain straightforward and visual. If you are already familiar with the game, the GM will adjust to your pace and skip what you do not require.
How does Kids on Bikes differ from D&D?
You play as ordinary people, not classes, and there are no levels. Teamwork and choices drive the story more than combat. You create the town and relationships, then pursue rumours and strange clues. Rolls use different die sizes for traits, with exploding highs and Adversity Tokens when things go awry. Maps are minimal. Scenes feel like a mystery show, not a dungeon crawl. One-shots can complete a full tale, and campaigns develop the town over time.
Which edition do you run, 2nd or 1st?
Most tables use Kids on Bikes 2nd Edition by default. It streamlines play and provides helpful guidance for players and the GM. If your group prefers 1st Edition, or already has characters there, please mention this when you book. A professional Game Master can run either version and convert light elements as needed. The feel remains the same, a blend of heart, friendship, and the uncanny. You only need a character idea and a willingness to collaborate.
How frightening does it become? We have children.
The tone is adaptable. Aim for warmth, humour, and a relaxed atmosphere, tailored to your group. Before starting, the GM checks everyone's comfort levels and establishes clear boundaries. If you prefer a Saturday-morning mystery vibe, keep threats off-screen and ensure victories feel uplifting. If your teenagers desire more tension, the GM can carefully increase the stakes. Safety tools are employed throughout. To find a GM whose style aligns with yours, explore GM playstyles.
What is the Powered Character, and who oversees it?
The Powered Character is an optional figure with unique abilities, such as a psychic child or an extraordinary stray. The table shares control. Players determine when it assists and what it can do, within agreed limits. The GM depicts how the world responds, maintains clarity on stakes, and ensures the focus remains on your characters. For very young players, the GM can simplify or omit this element, keeping the story centred on bikes and bravery.
What group size and session length are suitable for this game?
Kids on Bikes excels with 3 to 5 players, and is also enjoyable with 2 for a more personal experience. A one-shot typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, which is sufficient for establishing the town and solving a complete mystery. Campaign sessions fall within the same timeframe, allowing for revisiting locations and NPCs. Larger groups can be accommodated, but the atmosphere is more subdued compared to action-oriented games, so smaller tables often provide a better experience for everyone.
Can we play online? What tools do you use?
Online play is seamless. The game encourages conversation, so you only require video chat and a dice roller. Your GM might include a simple map or handouts when beneficial, but there is no grid to manage. Our Game Masters are familiar with common tools and can adapt to what your group already uses. Discover typical setups and options on our online play platforms page.
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