Dnd Groups for 10-12 year olds? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dnd Groups for 10-12 year olds? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Elgeis
04-12-07, 03:12 PM Here's the gist of what the problem is.

Lately a group of me and my friends have gotten together to play some DnD on the weekends (we are in highschool, 15-16). My little brother as well as one of my friends little brother, has been joining us in our campain (age 10 and 11). My brother seems to really be getting into it but because of our busy scheduals (15-16 kids) we cant get together as much as we would like where as my brothers schedual is really, really open.

My question is "Are there any DnD groups for people his age?" I think it would benifit him more playing with kids his own age, and he would be able to do so more often. I know dnd isnt really made for people of this age but i know there are games such as Warhammer 40k that do demos with kids so dnd cant be too far out there can it?

I currently take up residence in the south-east area of Michigan, if anyone knows any game shops in particular that i could send him to.

Please post advise, comments, or suggestions,
Elgeis
Myree
04-13-07, 12:30 AM Wrong part of the country for a recommended group, but I wanted to give my 2 cp worth on the concept.

I started my son and his friends playing at 10 years old, and haven't had any problems with most of them. A few tried it out and just didn't seem "level-headed" enough for it yet, but they may be back. I've always considered the main point on the "13 and up" rule is for the Wiz's to avoid the hassle of uninformed parents, especially those whose kids really can't hack it.

I've always considered it a personal level -- there are many more people of even middle age that can't really handle it -- but no one is going to label a box "suitable for emotionally stable individuals only".

Anyway, back to your REAL question -- what to do what schedules don't match? As a full-time professional who also happens to take night classes AND try to be there for my wife and kids whenever I can, believe me I do know about schedule conflicts! What I've been doing with my son and friends is to have them have a few different sets of characters that are going through different adventures -- that way if A&B can make it, but C and D can't, we play the adventure that just A&B have characters in, etc. This means that things can get a little confusing, and advancement is VERY slow -- but at least that way they aren't killing time just because one or two others aren't there. They also seem to all be handling the different switches better than I feared they would -- but I'm not sure if that is because they really are ready for the challenge, or if their brains just handle multiple TV story lines. Oh, and when I am not available (since I am normally DMing them), I have them trade off running "dummy" encounters for each other -- nothing that counts for regular characters advancement and treasure yet (let alone DYING!), but just something to get them used to the ideas of running things in a "safe" environment.

So, I'd recommend something like this, if you think you can find a way to get it or something similar across to them.

Best of luck!
Daydreamer
04-13-07, 01:51 AM I started playing d&d at 11, with a 16 yo kid who was kinda like my big brother growing up. He showed me how to play the game, then when i moved away with my family- i got my friends into and started dming when i was only 12.

If you get a parent or somebody to guide the kids through it for a while then you can let them do it on there own. This assumes the kid has real life friends he can get into this activity.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Elgeis 04-12-07, 03:12 PM	Here's the gist of what the problem is. Lately a group of me and my friends have gotten together to play some DnD on the weekends (we are in highschool, 15-16). My little brother as well as one of my friends little brother, has been joining us in our campain (age 10 and 11). My brother seems to really be getting into it but because of our busy scheduals (15-16 kids) we cant get together as much as we would like where as my brothers schedual is really, really open. My question is "Are there any DnD groups for people his age?" I think it would benifit him more playing with kids his own age, and he would be able to do so more often. I know dnd isnt really made for people of this age but i know there are games such as Warhammer 40k that do demos with kids so dnd cant be too far out there can it? I currently take up residence in the south-east area of Michigan, if anyone knows any game shops in particular that i could send him to. Please post advise, comments, or suggestions, Elgeis
Myree 04-13-07, 12:30 AM	Wrong part of the country for a recommended group, but I wanted to give my 2 cp worth on the concept. I started my son and his friends playing at 10 years old, and haven't had any problems with most of them. A few tried it out and just didn't seem "level-headed" enough for it yet, but they may be back. I've always considered the main point on the "13 and up" rule is for the Wiz's to avoid the hassle of uninformed parents, especially those whose kids really can't hack it. I've always considered it a personal level -- there are many more people of even middle age that can't really handle it -- but no one is going to label a box "suitable for emotionally stable individuals only". Anyway, back to your REAL question -- what to do what schedules don't match? As a full-time professional who also happens to take night classes AND try to be there for my wife and kids whenever I can, believe me I do know about schedule conflicts! What I've been doing with my son and friends is to have them have a few different sets of characters that are going through different adventures -- that way if A&B can make it, but C and D can't, we play the adventure that just A&B have characters in, etc. This means that things can get a little confusing, and advancement is VERY slow -- but at least that way they aren't killing time just because one or two others aren't there. They also seem to all be handling the different switches better than I feared they would -- but I'm not sure if that is because they really are ready for the challenge, or if their brains just handle multiple TV story lines. Oh, and when I am not available (since I am normally DMing them), I have them trade off running "dummy" encounters for each other -- nothing that counts for regular characters advancement and treasure yet (let alone DYING!), but just something to get them used to the ideas of running things in a "safe" environment. So, I'd recommend something like this, if you think you can find a way to get it or something similar across to them. Best of luck!
Daydreamer 04-13-07, 01:51 AM	I started playing d&d at 11, with a 16 yo kid who was kinda like my big brother growing up. He showed me how to play the game, then when i moved away with my family- i got my friends into and started dming when i was only 12. If you get a parent or somebody to guide the kids through it for a while then you can let them do it on there own. This assumes the kid has real life friends he can get into this activity.