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I play warhammer fantasy, warmachine, and flames of war. I also own 40k orks, but haven't played any games with them yet. Anyway, my 6 year old daughter always asks questions about my models when she sees them. She has also started asking to be taught a tabletop game. So if it hasn't become obvious yet, I'm looking for suggestions as to which would be a good system for teaching basics and also ideas on how to teach her. I appreciate all ideas and so will she.

Keep in mind I'm incredibly biased, so keep that in mind

I recommend Brushfire, which is a historical parody setting that features Animals taking the role of History's greatest armies. Napoleon as a Mole leading an army of Badgers, Weasels, and Mongoose vs very British Dogs and Cats, Arabian Lizards, Spanish Mice, and so on. Lots of tounge-in-cheek humor making fun of history.

We've had a number of younger players easily grasp the mechanics and the models are alittle on the larger size which makes it easier for new painters to handle. Its also a skirmish game, so you don't need many models to play a game.

Website is here. The rulebook PDF is only $1 on Wargame Vault

Take your 40k Orks, split them in half, and play a really fundamental game like that. Put like 3-5 Orks in a unit if you have to. I may be tremendously underestimating your daughter's tactical prowess, but that should be rather fun as a really 'intro' game; plus, Orks are funny/goofy.

The orks have been in the green bath since I've got them. The previous paint was blue. So she hasn't seen them yet. But she like my warjacks, shock troopers and the ent that I proxy with my wood elves. So wacky cartoonish models are a good idea. I've never played 40k myself, so it could be interesting.

It's not on the list, but Blood Bowl seems like a good 'intro' game.

it's got a lot of 'board game' aspects that may already be familiar to her. Movement by squares, etc.

Also, the violence is toned down a tiny bit from the out-and-out- warfare that some kids may not be into.

The official and 3rd party minis are generally a bit cartoony, which she may like.

I think BB would probably be too complex for a 6 year old, not necessarily an interest for girls!

How about a simple board game? Something like one of the Heroquest equivalents that are out there nowadays, perhaps Dwarf's King Hold or something? There is also that Super Dungeon Explore, with the JRPG style cute miniatures.

Cyporiean wrote:Keep in mind I'm incredibly biased, so keep that in mind

I recommend Brushfire, which is a historical parody setting that features Animals taking the role of History's greatest armies. Napoleon as a Mole leading an army of Badgers, Weasels, and Mongoose vs very British Dogs and Cats, Arabian Lizards, Spanish Mice, and so on. Lots of tounge-in-cheek humor making fun of history.

We've had a number of younger players easily grasp the mechanics and the models are alittle on the larger size which makes it easier for new painters to handle. Its also a skirmish game, so you don't need many models to play a game.

Website is here. The rulebook PDF is only $1 on Wargame Vault

I'm not going to directly suggest brush fire but I think something along these lines would be a very good idea. Go with something along those lines that a 6 year old girl might appreciate more than Orcs or tanks.

There's a miniatures game called Gnome Wars, based on the Trench Wars rules. All the armies are garden gnomes, Sikh gnomes, Leprechauns, and all kinds of other wacky historical parodies. The rules are wicked simple and really fun, and the models are fantastic.

http://www.brigadegames.com/Gnome-Wars--28mm_c_42.html

I mean this in all sincerity (as I have a 6 year old little girl as well who likes to play)

make the game up!

just use the models, come up with some VERY simplistic rolling and moving rules, and just enjoy the moment.

We introduced my daughter to Hero Quest with very simplified rules based on the following premise:

counting
adding
subtracting
and simple cognitive thinking skills (asking to open a door or a chest or using a key to open a lock things like that)

as they grow, the rules grow. most of all remember we all started because this was fun, so make it fun.

Khadie wrote:I play warhammer fantasy, warmachine, and flames of war. I also own 40k orks, but haven't played any games with them yet. Anyway, my 6 year old daughter always asks questions about my models when she sees them. She has also started asking to be taught a tabletop game. So if it hasn't become obvious yet, I'm looking for suggestions as to which would be a good system for teaching basics and also ideas on how to teach her. I appreciate all ideas and so will she.

Honestly, just get her a barbie... and glue a sword or gun in its hand.

Fairie Meat and Brushfire are both fun. There are lots of little indie games you should be able to pick up from a games store that can provide an intro to this sort of thing. Most of them are self-contained and easy to learn.

Super Dungeon Explore. 'nuff said.

Rimmy wrote:I mean this in all sincerity (as I have a 6 year old little girl as well who likes to play)

make the game up!

just use the models, come up with some VERY simplistic rolling and moving rules, and just enjoy the moment.

We introduced my daughter to Hero Quest with very simplified rules based on the following premise:

counting
adding
subtracting
and simple cognitive thinking skills (asking to open a door or a chest or using a key to open a lock things like that)

as they grow, the rules grow. most of all remember we all started because this was fun, so make it fun.

Great post, this is what I would also recomend. As long as you two are having fun together that is all that matters really. When I worked at GW the rules for the intro games where " Fun,fast furious and Four" A intro game shouldn't last for longer then 10 mins, it should have lots of death and destruction and everything hits and saves on 4+ on the orky side while marines got 3+. It worked like a charm and when some kid was getting his ass handed to him I could 'fudge' the rules so that he would have a good time and pull out a win on the last turn.

Damn I was good at selling AORB's until they raised the price on the bloody thing. =o[

Brother SRM wrote:There's a miniatures game called Gnome Wars, based on the Trench Wars rules. All the armies are garden gnomes, Sikh gnomes, Leprechauns, and all kinds of other wacky historical parodies. The rules are wicked simple and really fun, and the models are fantastic.

http://www.brigadegames.com/Gnome-Wars--28mm_c_42.html

I've heard good things about Gnome Wars from parents.

start with board games. Super dungeon explore was already mentioned and Id recommend that. lots of eyecandy but simple enough that you get right into the fun without a lot of effort.

or really, Chess. Just dress it up so it doesnt look boring. Using Lego for chess pieces if you can. Itll teach the kid strategy and tactics.

Cyporiean wrote:

Brother SRM wrote:There's a miniatures game called Gnome Wars, based on the Trench Wars rules. All the armies are garden gnomes, Sikh gnomes, Leprechauns, and all kinds of other wacky historical parodies. The rules are wicked simple and really fun, and the models are fantastic.

http://www.brigadegames.com/Gnome-Wars--28mm_c_42.html

I've heard good things about Gnome Wars from parents.

I've played it at cons, there'd often be one game in the morning for younger players and kids, then one later for adults. It always went over really well, and I hope I can go to a con and play it again sometime soon!

How has no one mentioned "Song of Blades and Heroes"?

It's a very easy to learn ruleset that allows you to stat up virtually any miniature quickly for skirmish games of between 7-10 miniatures. That means that your daughter can choose exactly which miniatures appeal to her from your collection and immidiately have a game to play with them.

The average game takes about 45-60 minutes, all measurement is handled with 3 sticks, and it only uses 3D6. Character abilities are easy to keep track of, with each character having only 3 stats and usually a couple of generic special rules.

That is not to say that it's a game unsuitable for adults as it's got alot of tactical possilbilities and it's the most-played game with my club. Still, it's probably the best wargame for newbies and kids that I've ever played. At last year's Little Wars convention, we ran Song of Blades and Heroes and had players ranging from 6 years old to folks in their 60's.
http://rpgdiehard.blogspot.com/2011/04/song-of-blades-heroes-play-report-from.html

Did I mention it's only 8 bucks for the PDF?

As a final note, the game designer has put a free online warband builder up so that players can quickly and easily stat up and print-out their forces.
http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_6&products_id=7

Also, the Song of Blades has many expansions and the rules engine has been adopted for many settings. For example, if she has a fondness for furry creatures, my favorite version, the "Song of the Splintered Lands" (formerly an expansion, now a full game) has rules for woodland creatures and races. Great for those looking to play games in a Redwall or Narnia setting.
http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_6&products_id=12

buying a new game is good and all, but really, use what you HAVE, and what you KNOW, and just simply it.

there isn't anythign wrong with teaching a small child a simplified version of 40K.

just make anything with a 25mm base a "small guy" and a 40mm base a "big guy" and give them only 1 set of stats each. as follows:

marines kill on a 4+ for small guys 5+ for big guys, tanks need their AV to kill them (so a land raider would need 14 "kills" to remove it)

terminators (or MEQ) kill on 3+ for small, 4+ for big guys

MC's are "huge guys" they kill on 2+ for small, 3+ for big guys

etc etc

just make it SIMPLE, and the fun will come out.

wanna make 40K a 15 minute game for your friends? use the same rules.

in fact, this has spurred me to write the simplifies rules out.

i'll post them when i'm done. you can feel free to use them (or not)

Rimmy wrote:buying a new game is good and all, but really, use what you HAVE, and what you KNOW, and just simply it.

there isn't anythign wrong with teaching a small child a simplified version of 40K.

just make anything with a 25mm base a "small guy" and a 40mm base a "big guy" and give them only 1 set of stats each. as follows:

marines kill on a 4+ for small guys 5+ for big guys, tanks need their AV to kill them (so a land raider would need 14 "kills" to remove it)

terminators (or MEQ) kill on 3+ for small, 4+ for big guys

MC's are "huge guys" they kill on 2+ for small, 3+ for big guys

etc etc

just make it SIMPLE, and the fun will come out.

wanna make 40K a 15 minute game for your friends? use the same rules.

in fact, this has spurred me to write the simplifies rules out.

i'll post them when i'm done. you can feel free to use them (or not)

/Interested.

TheSecretSquig wrote:Super Dungeon Explore. 'nuff said.

This or Munchkin Quest. Fun/silly names for things and cute drawings

Flames of War, it will help her with History classes. Plus a better understanding of statistic will drop out of any of the War games.

Wargames they are educational don't you know.

whitedragon wrote:

Rimmy wrote:buying a new game is good and all, but really, use what you HAVE, and what you KNOW, and just simply it.

there isn't anythign wrong with teaching a small child a simplified version of 40K.

just make anything with a 25mm base a "small guy" and a 40mm base a "big guy" and give them only 1 set of stats each. as follows:

marines kill on a 4+ for small guys 5+ for big guys, tanks need their AV to kill them (so a land raider would need 14 "kills" to remove it)

terminators (or MEQ) kill on 3+ for small, 4+ for big guys

MC's are "huge guys" they kill on 2+ for small, 3+ for big guys

etc etc

just make it SIMPLE, and the fun will come out.

wanna make 40K a 15 minute game for your friends? use the same rules.

in fact, this has spurred me to write the simplifies rules out.

i'll post them when i'm done. you can feel free to use them (or not)

/Interested.

/care, then /use them.

https://store.sodapopminiatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=72&osCsid=bdevdg688ffmieiklmjj4h7qk7

Super Dungeon Explore.

Chibi Anime Miniature Dungeon Exploration Game.

May be perfect for you, maybe not, just a thought.

Cyporiean wrote:Keep in mind I'm incredibly biased, so keep that in mind

I recommend Brushfire, which is a historical parody setting that features Animals taking the role of History's greatest armies. Napoleon as a Mole leading an army of Badgers, Weasels, and Mongoose vs very British Dogs and Cats, Arabian Lizards, Spanish Mice, and so on. Lots of tounge-in-cheek humor making fun of history.

We've had a number of younger players easily grasp the mechanics and the models are alittle on the larger size which makes it easier for new painters to handle. Its also a skirmish game, so you don't need many models to play a game.

Website is here. The rulebook PDF is only $1 on Wargame Vault

I always saw Napoleon as an Owl or a hog.

Heroclix

I started my son when he was almost five with Heroclix. Its simple and has enough stratagy to keep him interested. Its also got superheros which he thinks are "cool", and helps him with his math (which I think is cool). He was actually ahead of a lot of kids his age cause of this when he started school. He could add really well, but yelling YES KnOCKBACK AND A CRIT! when he saw 6+6 was a little embarassing...

I just play heroclix with him and paint my 40k/warhammer fantasy stuff, but Ive noticed his has become more and more interested in 40k. I think Im gonna start him with gorka morka this summer. We'll go to the dollar store, buy a couple army vehicles, paint them and split the orcs up. Gorka Morka is a really fun game and I think it will be fun for him to see guys jumpng all over vehicles ands ramming each other.

Im pretty sure the rule are a free download too at GW website.