Kid-Friendly Tarot Decks

I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty, here, or describe a bunch of decks in detail. This isn’t a geek-out post, though naturally opinions are still my own, and I don’t expect everyone to see things just the way I do.

This post is a picture-full starting spot for parents who are interested in introducing their kids to tarot, or even learning alongside them, without feeling the need to protect them from the images on the cards.

I know parents who are perfectly comfortable with “standard” decks, or “mild nudity” so they’re not the focus of this resource but still could find some more ideas. 🙂

One more thing: These recommendations are based only on imagery. Not all decks are equally useful for learning the system of tarot. But that list is a bit more complex, and is for another time.

I’ll mark the decks I feel are easiest to learn from – in case you want a hint now. These fit the popular RWS system (**), or have other helps, like key words or phrases on the card (*).

I am throwing bottom-limit age-suggestions at a number of decks here. However, user-compatibility is the most important thing. If the user doesn’t care about the imagery, if it doesn’t draw him or her into spending time with it, it won’t work. It’s no biggie, just a reminder that this practice – both choosing a deck and using the cards – is a terrific example of “child-led.”

Tarot is not an essential skill – there are other ways to listen to your intuition, for example – so personal interest and enjoyment really is at the top of the list for reasons and ways of engagement with any tarot deck.

All ages listed are my best-guess for the interest level of the images, and/or the comfort-level of the the child and/or care-giver. I recommend an internet search of decks with an art style that interests you, focusing on images. Deck reviews, or YouTube “unboxing” or walk through videos can (with an investment of time) allow you to see each image before you buy.

Or you can “just know,” and that works, too.

Friendly images for ages as young as 3 (assuming you have one you trust with a $20 deck of cards), and fully “functional” for any-age of user:

• • Joie de Vivre Tarot** by Paulina Cassidy
  • The Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid
  • The Girl’s Guide to Tarot** (book and kit) by Kathleen Olmstead (2009)
  • Animal Tarot Cards* by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine
  • The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke and Ola Liola
  • Spiritsong Tarot* by Paulina Cassidy

• • Cat Tarot
  • Celestial Stick People** by Brian Crick
  • Crystal Unicorn Tarot**

 

Decks for 10 and up (these images increase in intensity or have more “grown-up” (teen, adult) figures or art styles I imagine have less appeal to the younger set):

All of the above could continue to be interesting (assuming you like the art). I’ve used nearly all of them to read for adults who wanted that deck.

• • Chrysalis Tarot by Toney Brooks and Holly Sierra
  • Steampunk Tarot** by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell
  • Everyday Witch Tarot** by Deborah Blake and Elisabeth Alba
  • The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans
  • Ostara Tarot by Molly Applejohn, Eden Cooke, Krista Gibbard, and Julia Iredale

There are literally hundreds more tarot decks available, but these are the ones I’m personally familiar with, and can recommend with confidence for the ages listed.

(Some of these decks or images are linked to a source where you can learn more about them. Those websites are their own and we are not responsible for what you find there.)