This study explores the innovative application of design probes to engage children in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Originating from participatory and user-centred design frameworks, design probes offer deep, contextual insights into participants’ experiences, needs, and emotions. By employing materials and activities such as diaries, maps, and storyboards, these probes invite unstructured and personal responses, facilitating rich qualitative data collection and fostering creative collaboration between researchers and participants. The research underscores the potential of design probes not just as data collection tools but as platforms for agency and empowerment, enabling children to articulate their perceptions and aspirations regarding disasters. Through an iterative design process involving multiple rounds of prototyping and testing with children aged 8–12, the study developed a set of probes that effectively combine creative, gamified elements with meaningful data collection. The inclusion of a narrative-driven character, ‘Kit’, was particularly effective in maintaining engagement and enhancing participants’ experiences. The findings suggest that design probes, applied in this manner, have the potential to be utilised in various contexts beyond DRR, such as sustainability and climate change education. This approach provides a blueprint for developing more inclusive, adaptable, and effective participatory tools, ensuring they remain responsive to participant feedback and successfully meet their objectives.