My daughter (10) joined a D&D club at school this year and has really enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, she'll be switching schools after new year's and the new school doesn't have a club. She's been pretty bummed about it, so some family friends have committed to coming to play weekly at my house starting in January. The problem is that I don't really know the first thing about D&D, nor do my friends. And the search results for on Amazon are overwhelming.

So far she just has the player's rule book and a set of dice. The teacher sponsoring the club had all the other 'stuff' and has been leading the kids in what I understand to be a very scaled back version of the game. I believe my daughter has a very rudimentary understanding of the rules and so I can't really rely on her to lead 10 people through playing for the first time.

I'd like to gift her some sort of starter set for Christmas. Explain it to me like I'm an idiot: what exactly should I buy, and what should I read to tell us what the hell to do? Any and all advice is appreciated.

Love that you're being there for your daughter!

As a somewhat recent D&D nerd myself, I've been in your shoes - not having any idea of what I needed to actually get a game going.

At the basic level, you just need character sheets and dice for every player. Character sheets can be on physical paper or online somewhere like DnD Beyond. The GM (Game Master) should get a Dungeon's Master Guide and Dungeon Master's screen.

From there, you can buy a preset adventure to help you with the campaign. You can also use a battle map with dry erase markers for encounters, and miniatures of different creatures to put on the map. Those aren't necessary but they can help people visualize the battles.

Hope that helps! Also there is a whole playlist of youtube videos with GM tips - I think even one about playing with kids if you need. You can find it here: GM Tips

buy her baldurs gate 3

Where to begin..
1) matching dragon flagons fit for toasting successful dungeon raids
2) if your daughter is inclined to play mages, etc., find some driftwood stick that looks enough like a magic wand and engrave her name on it
3) go all out and buy her a Gygax-autographed Fiend Folio

Lots of room for creative gifts here, really.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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buy her baldurs gate 3

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DO NOT DO THIS.

NOWHERE NEAR APPROPRIATE FOR A 10 YEAR OLD.

aglaohfour said:

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My daughter (10) joined a D&D club at school this year and has really enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, she'll be switching schools after new year's and the new school doesn't have a club. She's been pretty bummed about it, so some family friends have committed to coming to play weekly at my house starting in January. The problem is that I don't really know the first thing about D&D, nor do my friends. And the search results for on Amazon are overwhelming.

So far she just has the player's rule book and a set of dice. The teacher sponsoring the club had all the other 'stuff' and has been leading the kids in what I understand to be a very scaled back version of the game. I believe my daughter has a very rudimentary understanding of the rules and so I can't really rely on her to lead 10 people through playing for the first time.

I'd like to gift her some sort of starter set for Christmas. Explain it to me like I'm an idiot: what exactly should I buy, and what should I read to tell us what the hell to do? Any and all advice is appreciated.

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I have been playing the current edition of DnD for about 5 years. GM for 2 years one mixed age group of friends...I GM for a local library club as well which has one of my teenagers in it. We really enjoy spending that time together. It's a blast.

And yeah.....I am a full blown nerd.

DnD isn't hard......once you get started. But it's the getting started part that is tough.

Love that u want to support ur daughter. I have alot of advice but it's difficult to have on the message board without having an actual discussion in real time about what kind gameplay you want to have with the family and friends. If you want to have an in depth discussion LMK and if you have discord or something we can set up a time to chat.

If you would rather me write u a novel on here I can do that too.

Just let me know how I can help.

Ags4DaWin said:

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aglaohfour said:

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My daughter (10) joined a D&D club at school this year and has really enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, she'll be switching schools after new year's and the new school doesn't have a club. She's been pretty bummed about it, so some family friends have committed to coming to play weekly at my house starting in January. The problem is that I don't really know the first thing about D&D, nor do my friends. And the search results for on Amazon are overwhelming.

So far she just has the player's rule book and a set of dice. The teacher sponsoring the club had all the other 'stuff' and has been leading the kids in what I understand to be a very scaled back version of the game. I believe my daughter has a very rudimentary understanding of the rules and so I can't really rely on her to lead 10 people through playing for the first time.

I'd like to gift her some sort of starter set for Christmas. Explain it to me like I'm an idiot: what exactly should I buy, and what should I read to tell us what the hell to do? Any and all advice is appreciated.

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I have been playing the current edition of DnD for about 5 years. GM for 2 years one mixed age group of friends...I GM for a local library club as well which has one of my teenagers in it. We really enjoy spending that time together. It's a blast.

And yeah.....I am a full blown nerd.

DnD isn't hard......once you get started. But it's the getting started part that is tough.

Love that u want to support ur daughter. I have alot of advice but it's difficult to have on the message board without having an actual discussion in real time about what kind gameplay you want to have with the family and friends. If you want to have an in depth discussion LMK and if you have discord or something we can set up a time to chat.

If you would rather me write u a novel on here I can do that too.

Just let me know how I can help.

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This is great advice. There is so much variety in characters alone it's hard to not write a novel.

As far as starter ideas some basics would be

-a dice mat (I prefer the kind that snap together to form a box and lay flat when not in use)
-deck of spell cards for her specific character (mage, cleric, bard, etc)
-a character journal. It's a book that lets you take notes and keep track of the game and your character. I think it's really helpful for new players. Field Notes makes a pretty good one.
-dice, you can never have enough dice. A nice custom set is a good gift or just some ones you think look cool and colorful.

Not already on the list, a shirt with a joke about rolling a 1 or 20 about some part of life

I have nothing to contribute except to say that there is a literal forum on this site called "The Nerdery".

Contact Aliasman. He's the resident TexAgs D&D Head Nerd.

WHAT THE HECK IS D&D?????????

Tatem said:

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WHAT THE HECK IS D&D?????????

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It's a game for nerds. Did you not read the thread?

Assuming this is the book she already has:

https://www.amazon.com/Players-Handbook-Dungeons-Dragons-Wizards/dp/0786965606?th=1

that means she is playing d&d 5e. If that is the case I would recommend both these items:

https://www.target.com/p/dungeons-38-dragons-dragons-of-stormwreck-isle-starter-set-game/-/A-85017140#lnk=sametab

https://www.target.com/p/dungeons-dragons-essentials-kit-game/-/A-76151594#lnk=sametab

The starter set might be too entry level for her, but it provides her with another set of dice, an adventure to run and some pre-made characters your other guest might appreciate using if they are new to D&D.

The essentials with provide another adventure, some character sheets and screen for the DM to use.

I think its awesome your friends and family are willing to show up and give a try but I would say 10 people might be a bit overwhelming if everyone is new. It might be a good idea to start with around 4-6 total players.

tx1c said:

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I have nothing to contribute except to say that there is a literal forum on this site called "The Nerdery".

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Technically, every forum on this site is a literal forum. Maybe you meant, that there is literally a literal forum...

Seriously why wasn't I just contacted directly?

aglaohfour said:

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I'd like to gift her some sort of starter set for Christmas. Explain it to me like I'm an idiot: what exactly should I buy, and what should I read to tell us what the hell to do? Any and all advice is appreciated.

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advice: tell your daughter not to be a nerd!

She's squarely in the zeitgeist.

Buy her a Bible

Can't you just put Stranger Things on for her while you watch football in the other room?

I don't play D&D but I do play a lot of board games in general. So I'd maybe suggest something that has a similar RPG mechanic or similar theme that perhaps she could also play solo or coop. A few options that come to mind: Lord of the Rings the Card Game, Descent (1st or 2nd edition), Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Sleeping Gods (mainly since its heavy on story).

Moral High Horse said:

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Top 5 gif and episode.

I reached out to a friend who was a big D&D fan as a kid and who has turned that into a career (he works as a game designer). His recommendation for a gift was this, if she doesn't have it.

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Essentials-Kit-Boxed/dp/0786966831/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2OR3KCMBELIO9&keywords=d%26d+beginner+set&qid=1701980222&sprefix=D%26D+beg%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-6

His second recommendation was to look for a local game shop and see if they run weekend sessions for kids. A lot of well-meaning parents buy the books, dice and material, but getting four or more family members together regularly to play can be difficult. A shop with weekend games takes the pressure off of family.

Do not let her play Baldur's Gate


Teeturtle has really cute nerdy d&d tshirts

BBRex said:

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I reached out to a friend who was a big D&D fan as a kid and who has turned that into a career (he works as a game designer). His recommendation for a gift was this, if she doesn't have it.

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Essentials-Kit-Boxed/dp/0786966831/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2OR3KCMBELIO9&keywords=d%26d+beginner+set&qid=1701980222&sprefix=D%26D+beg%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-6

His second recommendation was to look for a local game shop and see if they run weekend sessions for kids. A lot of well-meaning parents buy the books, dice and material, but getting four or more family members together regularly to play can be difficult. A shop with weekend games takes the pressure off of family.

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That boxed set is for Dungeon Masters, though.

Ah, thank you all for the links and great advice! Going to look through everything and make a list tomorrow.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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buy her baldurs gate 3

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not appropriate for a 10 year old

Edit: should have read the thread, but it's worth repeating

redline248 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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buy her baldurs gate 3

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not appropriate for a 10 year old

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I know, lol. it was a joke for the D&D nerds out there.

Are all the kids in that club D&D free?

Downloaded the Balders Gate 3 trial because of this thread

…but yeah, not appropriate for a 10 year old

I've actually been a bit interested in DnD for a little bit. Maybe someday I'll give it a go

AliasMan02 said:

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BBRex said:

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I reached out to a friend who was a big D&D fan as a kid and who has turned that into a career (he works as a game designer). His recommendation for a gift was this, if she doesn't have it.

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Essentials-Kit-Boxed/dp/0786966831/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2OR3KCMBELIO9&keywords=d%26d+beginner+set&qid=1701980222&sprefix=D%26D+beg%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-6

His second recommendation was to look for a local game shop and see if they run weekend sessions for kids. A lot of well-meaning parents buy the books, dice and material, but getting four or more family members together regularly to play can be difficult. A shop with weekend games takes the pressure off of family.

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That boxed set is for Dungeon Masters, though.

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If they plan to play at home with family, wouldn't that help? I'm assuming someone at the house would be DM.

(I haven't played in at least 30 years. My nerdy game of choice in high school was Star Fleet Battles, and I sucked at that.)

BBRex said:

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AliasMan02 said:

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BBRex said:

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I reached out to a friend who was a big D&D fan as a kid and who has turned that into a career (he works as a game designer). His recommendation for a gift was this, if she doesn't have it.

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Essentials-Kit-Boxed/dp/0786966831/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2OR3KCMBELIO9&keywords=d%26d+beginner+set&qid=1701980222&sprefix=D%26D+beg%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-6

His second recommendation was to look for a local game shop and see if they run weekend sessions for kids. A lot of well-meaning parents buy the books, dice and material, but getting four or more family members together regularly to play can be difficult. A shop with weekend games takes the pressure off of family.

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That boxed set is for Dungeon Masters, though.

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If they plan to play at home with family, wouldn't that help? I'm assuming someone at the house would be DM.

(I haven't played in at least 30 years. My nerdy game of choice in high school was Star Fleet Battles, and I sucked at that.)

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This is correct... Someone will have to step up and run the campaign... I.e. be the dungeon master