D&D with my 4 year old daughter

[_NewbieDM_]

My daughter has developed a very strong interest in D&D, she sees my players come over the house, the minis, the maps, and she's really drawn to it.

I started playing a basic minis and maps game with her, without dice, but she knew I was holding back. She likes rolling dice.

So, without her being able to read, or do basic math, I developed a very basic rpg experience for us to share together. It uses a d6 and a d12, and it is very easy for her to play with me.

I thought I'd share it here in case other parents like me are trying to figure out a way to start your little ones into the rpg experience.

Find it at my website, and if you use it with your kids, let me know how it went.

Please keep in mind it was made for a 4 year old.

 

[Gilladian]

That looks really cute! You'll have to tell us how things progress over time...

 

[Mark]

Huzzah! Congrats and thanks for bringing a new generation to gaming!


(Nice job on the characters cards. Very professional looking. Maybe you could attach the game here, too, for others to use? )

 

[bytor4232]

I'm going to have to try this with my preschooler. Looks like a neat little game. If your kid was a little older you could play OD&D/Swords and Wizardry. Thats the game I play with my kids, age 3 and 9, however the three year old barely grasps the game yet. This may be a better game to get her started.

Plus, it warms my heart to see the D12 gettin some love.

 

[Jack7]

You did a good job.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Nice work! Let us know if you ever run a "full" adventure with a story line. I'd like to hear how that goes with one so young.
(BTW, good call on the d12 )

 

[deadsmurf]

It might be fun as they get better at playing to introduce some more mechanics.
I was thinking, change the regular attack die to a d10, Allow the "sword guy"/Warrior to Use a d12 instead for attacks and defense. Have the Bow and Arrow guy only be able to have a limited range (5 squares maybe) but also be able to pull out a sword and fight close up too. Wizard can do his spells with unlimited range. And Finally add a Cleric/Healer Class - They get a 2nd use of "medicine", instead of just one.

Then you might be able to have monsters start having special abilities. Maybe one type, say goblins can Jump away one square the first time someone tries to hit them. Have Ogres that get the d12 to attack and defend. Trolls that Take THREE hits to take down. That type of thing.

 

[Derren]

Are you sure that a game where the main objective is to "kill things and take their stuff" is suitable for 4 year olds?

 

[bytor4232]

My daughter was killing monsters and taking stuff when she was four, is ten now and she's an Altar Girl, goes to youth group in another church, and owns five bibles. She is one of the most moral people I know, and my crowning achievement in life. We still play D&D at least a couple times a month.

As long as the creatures are monsters, I think its empowering actually. She is being a hero! Just don't have them attacking humans, Dwarves, or Elves, or other demi-humans for that matter. Stay away from "complicated" political storylines or things involving misunderstandings (robin hood scenario).

 

[BOZ]

I happen to have a four year old daughter! I'll have to come back and have another look sometime when I'm not getting ready to go to bed.