For those with Kids: What age did you introduce them to D&D?

[DaveMage]

I have a 20-month old and 1 more on the way (due next month). I realize it will be some time before I can introduce them to the full spectrum of D&D, but I wanted to hear other's experiences.

I started playing D&D at age 10 (in 1980).

For those of you with kids, at what age did you introduce them to our hobby, and have you had successes or failures with doing so?

 

[Richards]

I started my two sons off on Hero Quest when they were 8 and 6, to get the very basic idea of an RPG in. I "graduated" them to AD&D when they were 10 and 8. We've been playing ever since (they're now 19 and 17).

Johnathan

 

[Emiricol]

I introduced my son to D&D at 6 years old (he's almost 7, so it wasn't that long ago.)

He doesn't really get into plots and story yet - usually it is something simple and direct. I make sure there's lots of dice rolling, since that's his favorite part

I also discovered I had to simplify things a lot, in terms of game mechanics, so he could understand. I worked out all his combat mods so he knows just how much to add no matter what roll he's making, and I always tell him what he has to roll to hit or succeed.

His favorite monsters are skeletons and zombies, I think because he doesn't feel bad killing them, so I indulge him in this

I have not been successful at getting him to "roleplay" more, though. Roleplaying, to him, is what you do between forays into the Haunted Forest.

 

[WizarDru]

I introduced my son to D&D at 6 years old (he's almost 7, so it wasn't that long ago.)

My son is 3 and daughter is 6. They are aware of the game, but don't play it, nor have I tried to entice them into it. My son, since he was 2, loves to look at the monster manual and look at the pictures of the monsters. My daughter likes to roll the dice, and knows that there is a game we play after their bedtime when the guys come over.

Last night she sat next to me as I thumbed through the new PHB.

"Who's that guy?"
"Hmm? His name is Gimble."
"What's he doing?"
"Well, honey, he's a bard."
"What's a bard?"
"A bard is someone who sings, tell stories and plays music."
"Ohh. So that's why he has all those instruments."

The amusing part was when she asked about the Dwarven/Human skull comparison pictures.

I'm a proud pappa, basically.

 

[StumpwaterJack]

I don't know that I'll ever introduce my son to D&D. My gaming friends are already joking about it (he's 6 months old), but I figure I'll let him find it on his own and play with his own friends, just like I did. I liked doing stuff with my Dad (fishing, building stuff), but I liked having my own fun as well.

SJ

 

[Emiricol]

I agree, the best idea is to let them come forward if interested. My son long wanted to, and I finally broke down and did, heh.

Also, with young kids I try to keep things absolutely black and white. He's the good guy !

 

[Tidus4444]

Well, I don't have any kids yet (I'm 14 heh), but I did introduce my little cousins to D&D, who were age 8 and 10. The aged 10 one likes it pretty well, but I don't think age 8 likes it very much, so I started to bring over video games (and my ffxi beta test, heh) over instead of my D&D stuff.

 

[Garmorn]

We allowed my daughter to roll dice for us starting around 4 I think. She actualy rolled up a character about the age of 10 or 11. We did not introduce her persay. It was just mommy's and daddy's game that we player with all of our friends.

 

[DaveMage]

It will be hard for me to wait for them to come to me.

Richards: Were your kids, at 8 years old, able to grasp the basics? A friend of mine has a child who is just about to turn 8, and I'm considering giving him a Player's Handbook, but I was curious if that would overwhelm him.

Emricol: Out of curiosity, how long do your game sessions last with your son?

WizardRu: Does your son ever get scared looking at the monsters?

Tidus4444: Why do you think the 8-year old doesn't like it very much?

Thanks!

 

[Emiricol]

Usually about an hour. That's about the limit of his attention span