TL;DR: Theseus is the ultimate "Level 1 to Level 100" hero. He’s the guy who took on the Minotaur in the Labyrinth, and for kids today, he’s the blueprint for every dungeon crawler and "boss fight" they encounter. Whether they’re reading Percy Jackson or playing Hades, Theseus is likely the reason they're obsessed with Greek myths.
Quick Links for the Mythology-Obsessed Kid:
- Best Podcast: Greeking Out from Nat Geo Kids
- Best Game (Teens): Hades
- Best Game (Kids): Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Best Intro Book: The Lightning Thief
If your kid is suddenly talking about "mazes," "golden threads," or half-bull-half-man monsters, they’ve found their way to Theseus. In the pantheon of Greek heroes, Theseus is the "founder-king" of Athens. He didn't just inherit a throne; he earned it by clearing a road of bandits (basically side quests) and eventually volunteering to enter the Labyrinth to kill the Minotaur.
He’s famous for three things:
- The Labyrinth: A maze so complex no one could escape.
- Ariadne’s Thread: The clever trick (given to him by a princess) that allowed him to find his way back out.
- The White Sails: The tragic "user error" at the end where he forgot to change his black sails to white, leading his father to think he was dead. (Even heroes have bad UI/UX moments).
Greek mythology is the original "extended universe." It’s Marvel before Marvel. Kids love Theseus because his story feels like a video game. You have a clear objective (kill the monster), a complex environment (the maze), and a power-up (the thread).
In a world where kids are constantly bombarded with "brain rot" content—those 15-second clips of nothingness—the story of Theseus offers something meaty. It’s high-stakes, it’s a bit violent (let’s be real, kids love that), and it rewards "strat" (strategy).
Ask our chatbot about why kids are obsessed with Greek mythology
There is a reason the Theseus myth feels so relevant right now. The Labyrinth is the perfect metaphor for the modern internet.
When your kid opens TikTok or YouTube, they are entering a digital labyrinth designed by an algorithm (the modern Daedalus) to keep them from ever finding the exit. The "rabbit hole" is real. One minute they’re looking up "how to beat a level in Roblox" and an hour later they’re watching "Skibidi Toilet" remixes in a daze.
Teaching the story of Theseus is actually a great way to talk about digital wellness. Theseus survived because he had a tether—a connection to the outside world that guided him back. In our world, that "thread" is the boundaries we set, the timers we use, and the intentionality we bring to the screen.
If your kid is into Theseus, don't just give them a dry textbook. Here is the good stuff that actually respects their intelligence.
Ages 12+ This is arguably the best Greek mythology game ever made. You play as Zagreus, but you encounter Theseus in the Elysium stadium. Fair warning: in this game, Theseus is kind of an arrogant "main character energy" jerk, which is actually a very accurate interpretation of his later life. It’s a "roguelike" game, meaning you die and restart, which mirrors the feeling of being lost in a maze.
Ages 8+ The Disney+ series is a much more faithful adaptation than the old movies. Theseus is a son of Poseidon (depending on which version of the myth you read), and Percy follows in that "scrappy hero" lineage. It’s the gold standard for getting kids into the classics without it feeling like homework.
Ages 6-12 National Geographic Kids absolutely nailed the tone here. It’s funny, fast-paced, and "kid-safe" while still keeping the cool parts of the myths. Their episode on Theseus and the Minotaur is a must-listen for car rides.
Ages 14+ / Parents If you have a teen who thinks they know everything, give them this. Fry writes with a "no-BS" attitude that makes the gods feel like a messy reality TV cast. It’s witty, sophisticated, and doesn't pull punches about the darker sides of Theseus.
Check out our guide on the best mythology books for different ages
Greek myths are... messy. We’re talking about a culture where the "heroes" often did things that would get them canceled in five minutes today.
- Ages 6-9: Focus on the "Monster Hunter" aspect. The Labyrinth, the Minotaur, and the cool sword. Keep the focus on bravery and problem-solving.
- Ages 10-13: This is the age where they can handle the nuance. Theseus wasn't a perfect guy. He abandoned Ariadne on an island after she helped him. (Yeah, not cool). This is a great time to talk about how someone can be a "hero" in one story and a "villain" in someone else’s.
- Ages 14+: Dive into the "Ship of Theseus" paradox. If you replace every plank of a ship, is it still the same ship? In the age of AI and Deepfakes, this is a fascinating conversation to have with a teen. If an AI writes a story in the style of a human, is it still "art"?
You don't need a PhD in Classics to have a real conversation about this. Use these prompts next time you're stuck in traffic:
- The "Thread" Strategy: "Theseus used a thread to get out of the Labyrinth. When you’re scrolling on Instagram and realize you’ve been on it for an hour, what’s your 'thread' to get back to the real world?"
- The Boss Fight: "Why do you think Theseus volunteered to go into the maze? Is it brave or just 'main character' syndrome?"
- The Memory Fail: "Theseus forgot to change the sails because he was so caught up in his win. Do you ever get so focused on a game that you forget the 'real life' stuff you were supposed to do?"
Learn more about how to use mythology to talk about digital habits
Theseus isn't just a guy in a tunic from 3,000 years ago. He is the original gamer, the original strategist, and—let’s be honest—the original guy who forgot to text his dad back.
By leaning into your kid’s interest in these stories, you’re not just supporting a hobby; you’re giving them a framework to understand the complex, "maze-like" digital world they live in. Whether they are navigating the Labyrinth of Knossos or the labyrinth of a Discord server, they need to know how to find their way back home.
- Listen: Queue up the Greeking Out episode on Theseus for your next school run.
- Play: If you have a teen, consider letting them try Hades. It’s violent, but it’s "stylized" violence, and the educational value regarding mythology is surprisingly high.
- Discuss: Ask your kid which "Greek God" their favorite YouTuber reminds them of. (Warning: they will probably say Zeus has "massive L-rize" or something equally confusing).