What to purchase for a 7 year old

[jcayer]

I do like keterys suggestion, I'm just not sure the wife will go for it.
Realistically, I'm not sure I'll use the Essentials stuff much. I'm already hating this decision.

 

[Herschel]

Red Box, whiskey, firearms and cigarettes. She's a big girl now.

Having their own dice is great. For the little ones I like to get them the big dice. And teh red box is a great gateway. I still have mine.

 

[Mercurius]

Honestly? I'd hold off for 2-3 years; 7 seems a bit young to be getting into RPGs. Let her watch for the next couple years and soak it in. Why rush it? You could also tell her some interactive stories ala Choose Your Own Adventures.

 

[caudor]

I'd have to agree with Mercurius...seven seems a little too young in my view. My grandson is seven, and although he can't fully read yet, he enjoys computer games like Lego Batman and Power Rangers and does well with them. However, I don't think he is ready for an RPG yet.

I've heard girls mature a little faster than boys at younger ages, so perhaps your little one is much further along than my little one. Anyway, I don't want to make any assumptions. It's just that seven seems a little young.

But you know her better than anyone...that's your call

 

[hopeless]

Regarding what to get a 7 year old

You might want to start with Heroes of Heriod I believe its a free pdf if you check the archives on the d&d main site.

Its an introduction to d&d from the view of younger players and might give them something to do in the meantime whilst you look at purchasing the red box for them.

If nothing else it wil whet their appetite when it comes to the red box and i thought this should be mentioned since you might have difficulty getting a copy of the red box in time for their birthday.

 

[Herschel]

I've started numerous kids around 4 years of age. We just let them have simple characters and didn't play too long of sessions.

 

[Festivus]

My 4 year old is itching to play, knows how to read dice and play pretend. My 7 year old, not so much. I think it very much depends on the child.

 

[nnms]

While parents often exaggerate the intelligence of their children, I find most kids are actually smarter than their parents think, but just not in the ways they'd expect or appreciate.

7 years old is more than old enough for RPGs. I started when I was 6 with no adult to teach me how to do it. And the red box solo adventure is way, way better at teaching how to play than the old school stuff that just covered a tiny bit of material.

 

[Tony Vargas]

IMHO, 11 is the lower limit age-wise. Younger than that, and you'd have to keep things short and sweet, indeed. Of course, not all kids are the same.

I'd think something more along the lines of the old Dungeon! board game would be more apropriate.

 

[darjr]

My daughter was 6 when we started playing Faery's Tale. Granted, the game was designed for young children but she didn't have any real problem with D&D after that.