How a Game Designed by Youth is Sparking Better Conversations
“Creating this game showed me that young people have strong ideas and need to be listened to. When we share our voices, we can inspire real change.” – Lyanna, 17
What started as an idea for a tabletop game turned into a reminder that youth voices, when given the space to be heard, can inspire real change and help shape the future.
Phase 1: Explore and Ideate
The process began with a simple question: How can young people be empowered to lead game design in a way that keeps their voices at the center?
Through support from the Siegel Family Endowment and a collaboration between Big Thought, The History Co:Lab + iThrive Games, a space to explore this question came to life. A group of youth, including those from Dallas City of Learning partner Fit & Faithful Living, first came together for a game night to dive into game mechanics – exploring why people play, how stories are woven into gameplay, and what makes a game truly impactful. Then they participated in workshops to develop their own ideas, collaborating in teams to bring their visions to life.
One idea stood out: The Porcelain Child. The game asks players to step into the shoes of a young person and consider how adult words shape their identity, confidence, and trust. It’s a game about listening, understanding, and seeing young people as just that – people – with perspectives and experiences that matter.
Phase 2: Design from Experience
The Porcelain Child is an expression of the young designers’ skills – and their hearts. They creatively found a way to demonstrate the impact and importance of youth-adult communication and found inspiration in their own stories.
“Remembering how little phrases hurt me when I was younger – and realizing my mom didn’t mean to hurt me – really inspired this game. Adults don’t always realize the impact of their words.” – Lauryn M., 15
“The game reflects how the important adults in my life have used words to either intentionally or unintentionally harm me.” – Michaela, 17
In addition to being an exercise in design thinking, the game is a form of advocacy. The Porcelain Child developed into a tool for intergenerational connection, helping adults recognize that their words have consequences beyond the moment they are spoken.
Phase 3: From Design Table to National Stage
Earlier this month, The Porcelain Child was showcased at SXSW EDU 2025. Attendees had the chance to play, engage with the youth designers, and experience firsthand the emotional weight of the game.
The response? Educators, parents, and youth advocates were impressed – and moved. One attendee called it an “empathy engine,” a way to see and feel what young people experience every day.
This game is a powerful reminder that youth voices and ideas hold incredible power to shaping the future.
“This game reflects my belief that age or experience should not determine the worth of your ideas.” – Samaiyah S., 15
“This experience taught me about my voice and how I shouldn’t be afraid of using it to change situations I believe are unfair.” – Drew, 16
Phase 4: Loading…
The journey isn’t over. The Porcelain Child is still in development, evolving through feedback and further playtesting. But its impact is already clear. It’s a conversation starter, a way for adults and young people to better understand each other, and a reminder that listening can ignite change.
To learn more about The Porcelain Child and be the first to get the game, visit https://bigthought.org/youth-game-design
