Fantasy RPGs for Kids

[Matchstick]

I did the Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Adventure board game with my daughters at that age (6 and 7) and we had a great time. It has figures, premade adventures, and you can carry advancement to the next adventure. They kept their character cards in their rooms for a good long time because they were so excited. They role played to their comfort level, which was fine IMO. I certainly wasn't going to force them to di it!

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that game is highly available, or available at all. But I do think a RPG board game could be a nice transition between board games and RPG's for your family like was for mine. Maybe the Pathfinder Board Game? It's got math, carries over characters, plenty of adventures, etc. It might be a little complex for the 6 year old, but it also depends on the 6 year old.

You could look in to "Secrets of Cats" for FATE (needs FATE core, but both are pay what you want). I'm not a FATE guy, but I know dang well my daughters would love to play something with cats. Which reminds me, there's a very simple Cat RPG that's out for the Warriors series of books. You could take a look at that: http://www.warriorcats.com/games-and-extras/games/adventure-game

Hope that helps!

 

[pukunui]

Is the D&D Fantasy Adventure board game significantly different in approach to the Dungeon! board game? I'm thinking of getting the latter.

That being said, I've had a chance to read through "Faery's Tale" a bit more, and I think it would suit my children quite well. Even though it doesn't involve much math, I think it would be a good starting point. The game's "Essence" mechanic is essentially Fate Points in disguise, so the next step could be a FATE game. Then maybe D&D 4e, followed finally by 5e.

 

[amerigoV]

Dragon Age might be a good fit (sans the "Dark" aspect of the Dark Fantasy). It only uses d6s. Usually 3d6 to do something, and from 1 to 3d6 for damage. I have only read through it, but it struck me as "AD&D 2e that made sense".

 

[Matchstick]

Is the D&D Fantasy Adventure board game significantly different in approach to the Dungeon! board game? I'm thinking of getting the latter.

That being said, I've had a chance to read through "Faery's Tale" a bit more, and I think it would suit my children quite well. Even though it doesn't involve much math, I think it would be a good starting point. The game's "Essence" mechanic is essentially Fate Points in disguise, so the next step could be a FATE game. Then maybe D&D 4e, followed finally by 5e.

I've not played the Dungeon board game unfortunately; maybe someone else can speak to that question.

It sounds like you're heading down a good road! Have fun!

 

[pukunui]

Dragon Age might be a good fit (sans the "Dark" aspect of the Dark Fantasy). It only uses d6s. Usually 3d6 to do something, and from 1 to 3d6 for damage. I have only read through it, but it struck me as "AD&D 2e that made sense".

Yes, I've got all three box sets (the third one just arrived yesterday). I've been dying to play it, and I think it could be simple enough for my girls. It's on my list of things to try with them.

I've not played the Dungeon board game unfortunately; maybe someone else can speak to that question.

It sounds like you're heading down a good road! Have fun!

Ah well. Thanks!

 

[Wednesday Boy]

It's possible. I'm not too familiar with the system and haven't got any of the books, unfortunately.

I was going to recommend picking up a copy of the main rulebook on eBay but it's surprisingly expensive right now.

The issue I have with using something like FAE is that it hasn't got a built-in setting. If I were to use FATE, I'd rather use one of the actual setting-based versions. The one I have is Bulldogs!, which is a rather tongue-in-cheek space opera game. I think my girls would get a kick out of that one. Bulldogs! PCs start with quite a few aspects but I could easily reduce it to just a few.

Out of curiosity, what is it about not having a built in setting that makes you hesitant? In my experience FAE stays out of the crunchy weeds and it's mechanics are forgiving enough that it's easy to GM, even on the fly.

If you're considering boardgames you might want to consider Mice and Mystics. It's a cooperative boardgame that follows a storyline and the players are heroes that have been turned into mice. I haven't played it but my friend played it with his 5-9 year old kids and said they loved it. He said it wasn't too difficult for them and they liked the theme. I bought it for my 6 year old daughter but it's a Christmas present, so we haven't actually played it yet.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Question: Are they Harry Potter fans? If so I'm going to recommend my own Houses and Wands. For which there are only four statistics (the houses) and they range from -1 to +2. Everything's settled on 2d6.

I'd also recommend some of John Harper's work, firstly World of Dungeons (a simplified version of Dungeon world) and secondly Lasers and Feelings (which is Not Star Trek).

Finally in the "Few rules, bucket of dice, lots of mayhem" I'd recommend Margaret Weis' Productions new Firefly RPG (don't pick up Serenity by mistake).

 

[fjw70]

I just found Hero Kids and it looks really nice for those ages. Everything for the supystem is half off right now on Drive Thru RPG. Seems pretty well supported.

 

[pukunui]

Out of curiosity, what is it about not having a built in setting that makes you hesitant? In my experience FAE stays out of the crunchy weeds and it's mechanics are forgiving enough that it's easy to GM, even on the fly.

I thought I had replied to this already. Hmm. Anyway, the reason I'd prefer a built-in setting is because it makes it easier to just sit down and start playing.

Question: Are they Harry Potter fans? If so I'm going to recommend my own Houses and Wands. For which there are only four statistics (the houses) and they range from -1 to +2. Everything's settled on 2d6.

The oldest one is sort of into Harry Potter but the younger one isn't.

I just found Hero Kids and it looks really nice for those ages. Everything for the supystem is half off right now on Drive Thru RPG. Seems pretty well supported.

Cool. Thanks for the head's up.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

I thought I had replied to this already. Hmm. Anyway, the reason I'd prefer a built-in setting is because it makes it easier to just sit down and start playing.

I gotcha. (I apologize for the hard sell--I'm a big fan of Fate.) FAE is very amenable to immediately sitting down and playing for any setting because the system doesn't dwell on crunch. The system doesn't try to emulate the difference in shield rating on X-wings and B-wings and doesn't try to quantify stat boosts for different races. So if your player wants to be a wookie piloting a B-wing, they make their character as normal, say they're flying a B-wing, and start playing the session.