Kids on Brooms PDF: A Comprehensive Guide (Updated 02/17/2026)
Kids on Brooms offers a collaborative RPG experience, with the PDF providing access to a rules-light system centered around magical school life and shared storytelling adventures.
What is Kids on Brooms?
Kids on Brooms is a collaborative role-playing game designed for imaginative storytelling, placing players in the roles of witches and wizards attending a magical school. Unlike traditional RPGs with complex rulesets, Kids on Brooms emphasizes narrative and improvisation, making it accessible for newcomers to the hobby.
The core experience revolves around building a shared story with friends, where each player contributes to the unfolding events and the development of the magical world. The game encourages creativity and “yes, and…” thinking, fostering a supportive and engaging environment. You’ll be collaboratively crafting the mysteries and adventures within the school’s walls.
A key aspect is the availability of a PDF version, making it easy to access and share the game’s core rules. This allows groups to quickly start playing without needing physical materials. The game draws inspiration from beloved magical school settings, offering a familiar yet unique experience. It’s a place full of mystery, where players define the magic and the school itself!
The Core Concept: Collaborative Storytelling
At the heart of Kids on Brooms lies the principle of collaborative storytelling. This isn’t about winning or defeating opponents; it’s about collectively crafting a compelling narrative. Players don’t control a single outcome, but rather contribute to the shared world and the experiences of their characters.
The PDF ruleset actively promotes a “yes, and…” approach, encouraging players to build upon each other’s ideas and embrace unexpected twists. This fosters a dynamic and unpredictable gameplay experience, where the story evolves organically through group interaction. Improvisation is key, and players are empowered to shape the magical school and its inhabitants.
The game intentionally minimizes rigid rules in favor of narrative flow. The focus shifts from mechanical complexity to character development and imaginative problem-solving. This collaborative spirit extends to character creation, with backstories often interwoven to create a rich, shared history. Ultimately, Kids on Brooms is about creating a memorable story together.
Availability of the Kids on Brooms PDF
The Kids on Brooms PDF is the primary method for accessing the game’s rules and guidelines. It allows players to easily download and share the system for collaborative play. While official sources aren’t explicitly detailed in the provided text, the existence of a PDF implies accessibility for digital use and distribution amongst gaming groups.
Information suggests the availability of watermarked PDF versions, potentially for preview or promotional purposes. However, it’s important to note that retail products, including the PDF, are currently restricted to shipping within the US only, with separate shipping charges applying.
Furthermore, players seeking expanded content can find homebrew rules available as PDF files, offering customized gameplay experiences. These supplementary materials demonstrate an active community contributing to the game’s evolution. Accessing these resources often involves online searches and community forums.
Understanding the Rules-Light System
Kids on Brooms distinguishes itself with a “rules-light” system, prioritizing narrative and improvisation over complex mechanics. This approach makes it exceptionally accessible for new role-playing game players and emphasizes collaborative storytelling. The core of the system revolves around a d20, where all stats are assigned using this die. However, a key feature is the absence of exploding dice, simplifying resolution.
Gameplay hinges on “Snap Decisions” – spontaneous choices made during play – and “Planned Actions,” representing strategic spellcasting. The system embraces “Failing Forward,” turning setbacks into narrative opportunities, and introduces “Lucky Breaks” for unexpected twists. These elements encourage dynamic and unpredictable gameplay.
Magic within Kids on Brooms operates under two fundamental rules: it reflects personality and intent. This encourages players to deeply consider their characters’ motivations and how those manifest magically, further enhancing the collaborative storytelling experience;
Gameplay Mechanics
Kids on Brooms utilizes a d20 system, focusing on snap decisions, planned actions, and embracing narrative consequences through “failing forward” and introducing unexpected “lucky breaks”.
The d20 System and Stat Assignment
Kids on Brooms elegantly employs the familiar d20 system as its core mechanic, providing a foundation for resolving actions and challenges within the magical school setting. This system is straightforward, making it accessible for both seasoned role-playing veterans and newcomers alike. All character stats are initially assigned a d20, representing the potential range of outcomes for any given task.
The simplicity of this approach is intentional, aligning with the game’s emphasis on collaborative storytelling rather than complex calculations. When a character attempts an action, the player rolls their assigned d20 and compares the result to a difficulty determined by the Game Master (GM) or collaboratively by the group.
However, a defining characteristic of Kids on Brooms is the deliberate absence of exploding dice. This design choice further streamlines gameplay, preventing runaway successes and maintaining a focus on narrative flow. The d20 system, therefore, serves as a tool to introduce an element of chance and uncertainty, while still prioritizing the collaborative creation of a compelling story.
No Exploding Dice: A Core Rule
A fundamental tenet of Kids on Brooms’ design philosophy is the explicit exclusion of exploding dice. This isn’t an oversight, but a deliberate choice to shape the game’s narrative focus. Unlike many d20 systems where rolling a maximum value allows for another roll, adding to the total, Kids on Brooms keeps things grounded.
This rule directly supports the game’s emphasis on collaborative storytelling and “failing forward.” Exploding dice can lead to statistically improbable successes, potentially derailing the shared narrative. By removing this possibility, the game encourages players to embrace the consequences of their rolls, even unfavorable ones, and weave them into the ongoing story.
The absence of exploding dice doesn’t diminish the excitement of a high roll; it simply ensures that success remains within reasonable bounds. It reinforces the idea that magic in Kids on Brooms isn’t about achieving perfect outcomes, but about navigating challenges and learning from both triumphs and setbacks, all within a shared, imaginative world.
Snap Decisions: Improvisation in Play
Kids on Brooms actively champions spontaneous creativity through “Snap Decisions.” These are rulings made during gameplay, on the fly, when a player attempts something not explicitly covered by the rules. The core idea is to avoid halting the narrative flow for rulebook searches or lengthy debates.
If a player declares an action and uncertainty arises, the group collaboratively determines the outcome. This isn’t about bending the rules, but about embracing improvisation and building upon the unfolding story. The emphasis is on “yes, and…” thinking – accepting the player’s intent and adding to it, rather than shutting it down.
Snap Decisions are a cornerstone of the game’s rules-light approach. They empower players to contribute to the worldbuilding and narrative, fostering a sense of shared ownership. The Kids on Brooms PDF encourages GMs to trust their instincts and prioritize keeping the story moving, even if it means temporarily deviating from established guidelines.
Planned Actions: Strategic Spellcasting
While Kids on Brooms values improvisation, “Planned Actions” offer a space for strategic spellcasting and deliberate choices. Unlike Snap Decisions, these are spells or actions players carefully consider before declaring them, allowing for more complex effects and potentially greater rewards.
The Kids on Brooms PDF doesn’t prescribe a rigid spell list. Instead, players describe their intended magical effect, and the group collaborates to determine its feasibility and consequences. This requires thoughtful consideration of the character’s abilities, the situation, and the two core rules of magic: personality and intent.
Planned Actions encourage players to think creatively about how magic can solve problems, overcome obstacles, or influence the narrative. They provide a counterbalance to the spontaneity of Snap Decisions, allowing for moments of calculated risk and rewarding players who invest time in developing their magical strategies.
Failing Forward: Embracing Narrative Consequences
A core tenet of Kids on Brooms, detailed within the PDF, is “Failing Forward.” This philosophy rejects the idea of dead-end failures, instead embracing setbacks as opportunities to enrich the story and propel the narrative in unexpected directions. When a player’s action doesn’t succeed as intended, it doesn’t simply mean “no.”
Instead, the group collaboratively determines a consequence that introduces new challenges, complications, or reveals crucial information. This might involve a spell backfiring with humorous results, attracting unwanted attention, or uncovering a hidden secret. The goal is to transform failure into a narrative gift.
“Failing Forward” encourages players to take risks and experiment with magic, knowing that even unsuccessful attempts can contribute to a more compelling and dynamic story. It fosters a supportive and collaborative atmosphere where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, rather than reasons for frustration.
Lucky Breaks: Introducing Unexpected Twists
The Kids on Brooms PDF introduces “Lucky Breaks” as a mechanism to inject delightful surprises and unpredictable elements into gameplay; These aren’t rewards for success, but rather spontaneous occurrences that shift the narrative in exciting ways, regardless of a player’s roll. They represent the inherent chaos and serendipity of a magical school environment.
A Lucky Break might manifest as a helpful (or mischievous) ghost offering guidance, a forgotten potion suddenly revealing its effects, or a conveniently timed distraction diverting attention. The Game Master (or rotating player) introduces these twists, aiming to enhance the story and create memorable moments.
Lucky Breaks prevent stagnation and encourage improvisation, ensuring that even well-planned actions can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. They emphasize the collaborative nature of the game, prompting players to adapt and react creatively to the unfolding events, enriching the shared storytelling experience.
Character Creation & Backstory
Kids on Brooms PDF guides players through crafting unique witch or wizard characters, emphasizing collaborative backstory creation to build shared history and interconnected narratives within the magical school.
Collaborative Character Backstories: Building Shared History
The Kids on Brooms PDF truly shines in its emphasis on collaborative character backstory development. Unlike traditional RPGs where backstories are often isolated, Kids on Brooms actively encourages players to weave their characters’ histories together. This isn’t simply about knowing each other’s names; it’s about establishing pre-existing relationships, shared experiences, and even rivalries before the game truly begins.
This collaborative process is key to fostering a richer, more engaging narrative. Players aren’t just creating individuals; they’re building a community within the magical school. The PDF provides prompts and suggestions to facilitate this, encouraging players to consider how their characters might have met, what events they’ve both witnessed, or what secrets they might share.
By establishing these connections upfront, the game master (and the players themselves) have a wealth of narrative threads to pull on, creating organic conflicts, alliances, and moments of genuine emotional resonance. It transforms the game from a series of individual adventures into a shared story, where every character’s past informs the present and shapes the future.
Magic and Personality: The First Rule of Magic
A cornerstone of the Kids on Brooms system, detailed within the PDF, is the first rule of magic: your spells reflect your personality and intent. This isn’t about memorizing a list of effects; it’s about expressing who your character is through how they cast spells. The game deliberately avoids rigid spell lists, instead prompting players to describe what their magic does based on their character’s traits.
A shy character might conjure a protective bubble, while a mischievous one might create illusions. A compassionate witch could heal injuries, and a determined wizard might summon a powerful gust of wind. The PDF emphasizes that there are no “wrong” answers, only expressions of character.
This rule encourages creative problem-solving and roleplaying. It moves away from mechanical spellcasting and towards a more narrative-driven approach, where magic feels organic and personal. It’s a system designed to reward players for truly embodying their characters and letting their personalities shine through their magical abilities.
Magic and Intent: The Second Rule of Magic
Complementing the first rule, as outlined in the Kids on Brooms PDF, is the principle that magic is shaped by your intent. It’s not simply what your character is like, but what they want to achieve with their magic that defines the outcome. A spell cast with benevolent intent will manifest differently than one fueled by anger or selfishness.
The PDF stresses that intent isn’t just about good versus evil; it’s about the specific goal behind the spell. Do you want to protect, to reveal, to transform, or to control? This nuance adds depth to spellcasting and encourages players to consider the consequences of their actions.
Intent also allows for unexpected twists. A spell intended to mend a broken object might inadvertently reveal a hidden secret, or a healing spell could temporarily transfer an ailment. This rule fosters improvisation and ensures that magic remains dynamic and unpredictable, enriching the collaborative storytelling experience.
Resources & Supplements
Kids on Brooms benefits from community-created content, including homebrew rules available as a PDF. Watermarked PDF versions exist, with shipping limited to the US only.
Homebrew Rules for Kids on Brooms (PDF Availability)
The vibrant Kids on Brooms community actively expands the game with innovative homebrew rules, readily available for download. These supplementary materials, often shared as PDF files, offer players exciting ways to customize their magical school experience and deepen the collaborative storytelling aspects of the game.
You can find a dedicated collection of these rules online, formatted as a PDF document, alongside text files for easy access and modification. These resources provide options for enhancing gameplay, introducing new challenges, or tailoring the system to fit specific group preferences. The availability of these PDFs demonstrates the game’s open and adaptable nature.
These homebrew additions cover a wide range of elements, from nuanced interpretations of existing mechanics to entirely new systems for spellcasting or character development. Players seeking to enrich their Kids on Brooms sessions will find a wealth of inspiration and practical tools within these community-created resources; Exploring these options allows for a truly unique and personalized gaming experience.
Watermarked PDF Versions and Shipping Restrictions
When acquiring Kids on Brooms materials, particularly the PDF version, be aware of potential watermarks. These markings are sometimes applied to digital copies to indicate licensing or distribution restrictions, ensuring proper usage and protecting the creator’s rights.
Regarding physical products related to Kids on Brooms, shipping is currently limited to destinations within the United States only. Separate shipping charges will apply to any retail products purchased, adding to the overall cost of acquiring the game in a tangible format. This restriction is a logistical consideration for the distributor.
It’s important to note that these shipping limitations apply specifically to physical goods. The PDF version of Kids on Brooms remains accessible globally, though potential watermarks may be present. Always verify the source and terms of use before downloading or purchasing any digital copies to ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
Kids on Brooms Episodes, Movies & Clips (PBS KIDS Connection)
While Kids on Brooms is a tabletop role-playing game, its spirit of imaginative storytelling resonates with the content found on PBS KIDS. Fans of the game may enjoy exploring full episodes, movies, clips, shorts, and podcasts from beloved PBS series like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Lyla in the Loop, and Sesame Street. These resources can inspire character concepts and collaborative narratives.
The connection to PBS KIDS highlights the game’s accessibility and appeal to younger audiences, fostering creativity and social interaction. Though not directly affiliated with PBS, Kids on Brooms shares a similar emphasis on positive values and engaging storytelling.
Exploring these animated worlds can spark ideas for magical school settings and character backstories, enriching the Kids on Brooms experience. Remember, the core of the game lies in collaborative imagination, and drawing inspiration from familiar sources is highly encouraged!
Advanced Concepts
Kids on Brooms expands gameplay with collaborative worldbuilding, extra rules, and a quick-start TLDR guide, alongside valuable playtesting feedback from the community (April 29, 2025).
Collaborative Worldbuilding: Shaping the Magical School
Kids on Brooms truly shines through its emphasis on collaborative worldbuilding, specifically when designing the magical school itself. Unlike many RPGs with pre-defined settings, this system actively involves all players in crafting the environment where their characters learn and grow.
This isn’t simply about naming classrooms or deciding on house colors; it’s about establishing the school’s history, traditions, and even its quirks. Players collectively determine the school’s founding story, the types of magic favored by its faculty, and the secrets hidden within its walls.
Consider questions like: Is the school ancient and steeped in tradition, or a relatively new institution experimenting with modern magical techniques? What kind of creatures inhabit the grounds? Are there rivalries between different student groups?
The PDF doesn’t dictate answers; it provides prompts and encourages improvisation. This shared creation fosters a deeper investment in the game world and ensures that the setting feels uniquely tailored to the group’s preferences. The more detail players contribute, the richer and more engaging the experience becomes, making each Kids on Brooms campaign truly one-of-a-kind.
Extra Rules: Expanding the Gameplay Experience
While Kids on Brooms is designed as a rules-light system, the community has developed numerous “Extra Rules” to add depth and complexity for groups seeking a more structured experience. These optional additions, often found in homebrew resources and PDF supplements, build upon the core mechanics without overwhelming the collaborative spirit.
Key additions include expanded guidelines for “Failing Forward,” encouraging narrative consequences that propel the story rather than simply halting progress. “Lucky Breaks” introduce unexpected twists and opportunities, injecting spontaneity into gameplay. Detailed explanations of “Planned Actions” offer strategic depth for spellcasting, allowing players to prepare for complex magical endeavors.
Furthermore, refinements to “Snap Decisions” provide clearer guidance on improvisational roleplaying, ensuring quick and engaging responses to unforeseen circumstances. These extra rules aren’t mandatory, but they offer valuable tools for groups wanting to customize their Kids on Brooms experience.
The availability of these resources, often shared as free PDFs, demonstrates the active and supportive community surrounding the game, constantly enriching its potential.
TLDR on Kids on Brooms: A Quick Start Guide
Kids on Brooms is a collaborative storytelling RPG where you play students at a magical school! Forget complex rules – it’s all about describing what your witch or wizard tries to do. You’ll need a d20 (twenty-sided die) for checks, assigned to your character’s stats.
Magic isn’t about memorizing spells; it’s about your personality and intent. What you want to happen influences the outcome. There are no exploding dice, keeping things streamlined. “Snap Decisions” are quick, improvised actions, while “Planned Actions” are more strategic spellcasts.
Don’t fear failure! “Failing Forward” means setbacks create new story opportunities. Look for PDF resources online for character sheets and quick references. The core principle is fun and shared narrative creation.
Essentially, it’s a game about building a story together, embracing creativity, and enjoying the magical school experience. A downloadable PDF can get you started quickly!
Playtesting and Community Feedback (April 29, 2025)
As of April 29, 2025, Kids on Brooms continues to evolve thanks to dedicated playtesting and invaluable community feedback. Early iterations of the PDF ruleset benefited greatly from players sharing their experiences, clarifying ambiguities, and suggesting improvements to the rules-light system.
Common feedback centered around streamlining the “Snap Decisions” mechanic and providing clearer guidance on collaborative worldbuilding. Players appreciated the focus on narrative consequences (“Failing Forward”) but requested more examples to inspire creative responses.
The development team actively monitors online forums and social media for suggestions. Updated PDF versions incorporating this feedback are periodically released, ensuring the game remains accessible and enjoyable.
Ongoing playtesting focuses on balancing the impact of “Lucky Breaks” and refining the collaborative character backstory process. The goal is to create a truly player-driven experience, and the community’s input is crucial to achieving that vision. Accessing the latest PDF ensures you have the most refined version!