Playing White Box with 4th graders

[Deleted]

My wife is a teacher and she recruited me to run a “D&D” club for seven 4th graders at her school. Had to play tight 1/2 hour sessions once a week. So I went with White Box.

It was a great success. I’m always amazed at how fast and smooth the “older” systems play and their ability to match the flexibility and ambition of a kid’s imagination.

Also worth noting: kids treat the game world as real. They were cautious and careful — fearful of groaning sounds echoing down hallways and locked doors. It was refreshing.

Combat was bedlam. Like corralling rodeo clowns. That’s when caution flew to the wind. Some very lucky rolls kept the mortality rate low.

Anyway, just reporting in as I do my part to raise another generation of gamers and keep the systems we love fresh and alive.

[delta]

Sweet, thanks for sharing!

[Finarvyn]

A great post. I think it's easy to forget about how amazing role playing can be the first time, particularly when the rules set is light and players can jump right into the action instead of taking forever to make characters.

I particularly like the notion that groans and sounds would make the youngsters cautious...

[chicagowiz]

My granddaughters are the same way, being cautious and fearful when the "world" is giving them clues!

[doublejig2]

Dec 13, 2018 10:13:51 GMT -6 Finarvyn said:

A great post. I think it's easy to forget about how amazing role playing can be the first time, particularly when the rules set is light and players can jump right into the action instead of taking forever to make characters.

I particularly like the notion that groans and sounds would make the youngsters cautious...

It's the only way to play. Good frp takes concentration and is stirring. Places are being explored that can't be easily described to others. And, it's especially hard when a PC is slain. Good gaming.