As I’ve said before, I picked up a copy of the Silver Bayonet Egypt, and it has a fun a little “solo” campaign. Being as I have no friends in real life, and being as I do have kids. I figured why not get them involved.
I learned a few things from teaching my girls to play the game. And I use the term teaching loosely. I used the game to help cement my understanding of the rules. I’m sure there is an old saying, “If you can’t teach something to a 5-year-old, you don’t know it.” I let her roll the dice, and she loved chucking them across the kitchen. I let her move the figures she could reach, and I let her dictate our strategy. I did all the measuring, and I was trying to real hard to make sure we didn’t cheat too much. Fun was had by all sides.
There was one point where discovered a Were-Jackal, and she took her highlander, and wisely hid in the building until it ran off.
A few things to keep in mind:
1) Don’t get so caught up in the rules
2) Get a dice tower (Seriously, get a dice tower)
3) Have fun
I’m sure there are lots of games that would be great for introducing kids to wargaming. I’m considering using the new Star Wars Legion games modes (Spec Ops, and Skirmish) to see if they have any interest in it. I think they would love playing with some Wookies, and Ewoks.
There is something magical about seeing the light in your kids eye, as she finally rolls a 16, and exclaims, I killed another Skeleton.
Get some figures, get your kids, and play some games.
And yes, she has asked me multiple times, if we can play the game again. And the answer is always emphatically yes.
Michael DiBaggio