Getting Your Kid Interested in Magic

[MMogg]

I know there are parents around here and I was wondering if anyone has any experience (or knows of someone who does) in getting their children interested in playing Magic? Although my son is only a year old, I'm still wondering at what age to introduce the game and how, so I'd like to hear how what others have done. Also, I'd like to hear from those who are young or began playing young and a parent also plays/introduced the game to them. How did that happen?

[Philipp2293]

Well, my dad introduced me to most games, the coolest was a kind of Lego-Tabletop where he developed a battle system. The first trading card game I was introduced to was Galactic Empires, I guess at around the age of 8. Others followed, but I was introduced to Magic via some friends.

[oldbsturgeon]

My son is also a little over 1 so he isn't quite ready. Maybe in a year right?
I do have a friend that has a brother about 15 years younger than him and when we were in collge, somewhere around 2000, his brother was about to start 1st grade. i think by the next year, we had him playing. so that was about age 7 that he learned the rules and how to play. Of course it was all basic ideas of the game, but he nonetheless, knew them at 7.

[Aleksandr]

I know there are parents around here and I was wondering if anyone has any experience (or knows of someone who does) in getting their children interested in playing Magic? Although my son is only a year old, I'm still wondering at what age to introduce the game and how...

Just about the same year you'd like to introduce him to booze or heroin?

[menace13]

MMogg: Just get that little guy started now!! early a.s.a.p... He'll be a pro by 15 and have fame, fortune and the adulation of millions of women. Oh wait...nvm...magic pros aren't athletes or celebrities.

[Peter_Rotten]

From a very young age, my son always liked looking at the pictures... careful though... some MTG pics are pretty messed up.

That being said, he is 8, and we have just started playing some pre-made decks. I tried when he was around 6, and it was a pretty steep learning curve.

Also keep in mind, I think the recommended age is 13!

[xTrainx]

Me and my brothers all got taught how to play by my dad when we were ~6. Me and my younger brother taught the youngest how to play when he was four. The funny part was that he couldn't read, but he memorized how all the cards worked and was pretty good. Of course, we played jank shit, but...yeah. You can probably start when they're young: hook 'em in with pictures and big numbers.

[MMogg]

Just about the same year you'd like to introduce him to booze or heroin?

I'm not Russian! :wink:


MMogg: Just get that little guy started now!! early a.s.a.p... He'll be a pro by 15 and have fame, fortune and the adulation of millions of women. Oh wait...nvm...magic pros aren't athletes or celebrities.

Actually, I have given him some sleeved cards to beat the hell out of, but then I thought, better not just in case he comes too close to good cards.


From a very young age, my son always liked looking at the pictures... careful though... some MTG pics are pretty messed up.

That being said, he is 8, and we have just started playing some pre-made decks. I tried when he was around 6, and it was a pretty steep learning curve.

Also keep in mind, I think the recommended age is 13!

So, when you teach him, did you go through some basic rules? Turn structure? Combat?


Me and my brothers all got taught how to play by my dad when we were ~6. Me and my younger brother taught the youngest how to play when he was four. The funny part was that he couldn't read, but he memorized how all the cards worked and was pretty good. Of course, we played jank shit, but...yeah. You can probably start when they're young: hook 'em in with pictures and big numbers.

Yeah, I would imagine it would need to be dumbed down. Probably lots of bears and stuff.

@everyone: did parents ever take you to tournaments/shops to get you interested?

I wonder if playing with revealed hands is a good way to teach. (I mean, not a couple games, but using that way all the time for the first while.)

[Svenanole]

my dad would take me to pokemon tournaments whenever i would ask him to. Be as supportive and ask if he would like to play, dont force him

[the Thin White Duke]

If your kid isn't interested in Magic the instant he looks at cards and sees a game being played, you should trade him in for a new one.

[Meister_Kai]

Let him look at the cards, get a feel for them, but don't bother teaching him the rules until he is at least in 5th grade (or whatever China's equivalent is). Long story short, if your child can't read at a 6th grade level then trying to teach him Magic is probably going to be a lost cause.

That, and I suggest against pressing someone into something like a card game. Much like sports, if your child is introduced to it at a young age then latter sees some cards and becomes nostalgic, then teach him to play. Let him choose his own path in life.

honestly though, everyone I know who plays started around the time they were in junior high school (either during it or right before) so I suspect thats a good time to get him into it. Also note that if you go above and beyond the call of duty, as in teach him all the correct rulings from the get-go, you could have your kid permanently labeled a rules nazi lol.

EDIT: WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T GIVE HIM YOUR EXPENSIVE CARD COLLECTION. Let him become good, give him a couple of Magic playing years to comprehend how powerful all your old cards are, then surprise him for his birthday or something. If you don't you might find the entire collection gone one day just so he could build his super awesome elemental deck!

[MMogg]

my dad would take me to pokemon tournaments whenever i would ask him to. Be as supportive and ask if he would like to play, dont force him

Yeah, I completely agree with not forcing. That only builds resentment.


EDIT: WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T GIVE HIM YOUR EXPENSIVE CARD COLLECTION. Let him become good, give him a couple of Magic playing years to comprehend how powerful all your old cards are, then surprise him for his birthday or something. If you don't you might find the entire collection gone one day just so he could build his super awesome elemental deck!

LOL Yeah, that's actually another concern/dilemma I have is whether to share my cards or let him build up his own collection (of course with my money, but ya know, not sharing). I really don't want to find he traded my Mox Jet for a Krosan Cloudscraper!

[menace13]

EDIT: WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T GIVE HIM YOUR EXPENSIVE CARD COLLECTION. Let him become good, give him a couple of Magic playing years to comprehend how powerful all your old cards are, then surprise him for his birthday or something. If you don't you might find the entire collection gone one day just so he could build his super awesome elemental deck!

Dude, I know so many stupid trade stories for Shivan Dragons,Royals and etc .. i am also one of them, but that probably is not as prevalent as it was pre-webs. I hear we have online price guides now.

@ TWD- Have you ever seen Jersey Shore,not one of those kids ever played a game of strategic anything in their lives. Doesn't give a good enough reason to ship em all back.

[Meister_Kai]

Yeah, I completely agree with not forcing. That only builds resentment.



LOL Yeah, that's actually another concern/dilemma I have is whether to share my cards or let him build up his own collection (of course with my money, but ya know, not sharing). I really don't want to find he traded my Mox Jet for a Krosan Cloudscraper!

Definitely let him build his own collection. Don't let him be a trust fund player. I am completely serious about this, if he has access to all the crazy cards from the get-go, he won't go through that WHOA ELF DECK + COAT OF ARMS mystical twilight fun time we all did when we got into Magic. I think that is an important step for anyone who plays the game and should not be missed.

Let him build his silly elf decks (that EVERYONE builds), let him think Slivers are unbeatable, and let him believe for a fast second that Sneak Attack is the most broken card ever. Later on, bust out some crazy deck (call it your old throwback or something) and trounce him with it (if he doesn't play against someone with decks like this anyway) and let him (with your help) build a deck that is crazy good. When he has enough money, "buy it for him" (IE, he gives you money and you give him your own cards) and then later if he proves good with the deck give him his money back. If not, still keep the money but say you were able to sell the cards for the exact cost of another deck (built from your cards also). Either way, your son is never truly out any money and you never have to buy other cards (unless of course, LOL POWER CREEP).

Anyway, thats just what I would do. It teaches the principles of determination, saving up for something worth having, and most importantly, knowing you have something special. Father and son bonding activities, YEAH!

EDIT: Menace: No kid looks at price guides, you should know this. I offered to buy a Gideon Jura (or whatever it is) off a high schooler in my area in exchange for 3 more booster packs. He was willing to do it was and even miffed when I declined at the last second, after telling him the Jura is easily worth like x10 what I offered. Moral of the story is don't put too much faith in the economic ability of kids.

[stalkerzero]

Definitely let him build his own collection. Don't let him be a trust fund player. I am completely serious about this, if he has access to all the crazy cards from the get-go, he won't go through that WHOA ELF DECK + COAT OF ARMS mystical twilight fun time we all did when we got into Magic. I think that is an important step for anyone who plays the game and should not be missed.

Let him build his silly elf decks (that EVERYONE builds), let him think Slivers are unbeatable, and let him believe for a fast second that Sneak Attack is the most broken card ever. Later on, bust out some crazy deck (call it your old throwback or something) and trounce him with it (if he doesn't play against someone with decks like this anyway) and let him (with your help) build a deck that is crazy good. When he has enough money, "buy it for him" (IE, he gives you money and you give him your own cards) and then later if he proves good with the deck give him his money back. If not, still keep the money but say you were able to sell the cards for the exact cost of another deck (built from your cards also). Either way, your son is never truly out any money and you never have to buy other cards (unless of course, LOL POWER CREEP).



I couldn't agree more.

Don't get him interested too early though. I suggest after he is able to comprehend the value of things (money/black bordered dual lands/etc) is the exact right time. Before then and you're asking for your collection to piece by piece be flushed down a toilet and your wife not understanding why you have him tied up in his room.

[Gocho]

Damn!
I got a daughter. Time to get a new little son so I can go to the tournaments with him XD

[Taurelin]

My older daughter is almost 7, and I started showing her Magic about a year ago. I printed out some proxies for her, so she could colour them herself. We selected the cards on the screen, and she wanted to have all those beautiful angels, nice sunsest (-> Plains) and cute birds. Hence, her "Deck" is a regular White Weenie.

When playing, we focus on the most basic concepts of the game. I.e. first draw a card, then play a land, play a creature, attack, your turn.

So far we don't care about creatures' abilities, and we play as if an enchantment like "creatures can't be blocked" was on the battlefield. Very simple, but fun.

[syssc9]

Gee - my kid (youngest son, now 30) got me into this game. We played a 3 game match after he explained the rules. I won 2, he got pissed, I bought a box. Go figure...

[Finn]

MMogg, back a long time ago Anthony Alongi was a writer for MT:G.com. A few times he wrote some interesting stuff about getting his daughter into his weekly play group. He said that by the time she was 8 she was able to go through the basic motions and decisions to actually win games. I bet you can still find his articles in their archives.

[MMogg]

MMogg, back a long time ago Anthony Alongi was a writer for MT:G.com. A few times he wrote some interesting stuff about getting his daughter into his weekly play group. He said that by the time she was 8 she was able to go through the basic motions and decisions to actually win games. I bet you can still find his articles in their archives.

Found it. (http://www.wizards.com/magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/aa132b) Thanks!

And thanks to everyone who has given some pretty good advice. I know I have several years of waiting ahead of me before my boy can start flipping cards but what can I say, I'm an eager father. :smile:

[Eddy Wally]

Just about the same year you'd like to introduce him to booze or heroin?

Don't be silly. Six years old is way too young for complicated cardgames. :D

[stuckpixel]

One thing I'm planning on doing, to introduce the basic concepts (And to help with basic math as well - magic is educational!) is just building a very simple deck, with pretty much all vanilla creatures (maybe a few french vanilla ones) and simple spells.

No lands, everyone draws off the same pile. T4 style. To make things even simpler, you can only play cards on your turn, and like T4, only one card a turn.

Should be able to teach the basics of combat math and most normal mechanics of the games that way.

As my kids get older, start introducing more complicated elements (if they're interested still), and move on to more of a normal style of play eventually.

Going to try and diversify the CCs in it too so it can double as a mental magic pile. =D

[Pich]

I started to play when i was 8 years old.

I'm now 14 years old.

First : You should help him to remember the BASIC, make him feel confortable when he plays, help him in his decisions.
First, you should make him memorize this ; untap, draw, land drop, beatdown, creature spell, go !

You should make him play a mono-colored deck with burns/lot of 1/2 drops.

4 Elite Vanguard 4 $
4 Savannah Lions 6 $
4 Soltari Priest 6 $
4 Soltari Monk 6 $
3 Isamaru, Hound Of Konda 10 $
4 Suntail Hawk 0.40 $
4 Lantern Kami 0.40 $
4 Journey to nowhere 1 $
4 Honor The Pure 15-20 $
4 Mistral Charger / Leonin Skyhunter / Flying 2DROP

21 Plains

Sleeves : 5 $
Deckbox : 2 $

Make him play WW, then when he understand the ritual that is '' UNTAP DRAW BEATDOWN DROP CREATURES GO '' you can splash for red, 4 Lightning Bolt, 2 Lightning Helix, 4 Boros Swiftblade ect.

[Forbiddian]

... is child abuse.

[menace13]

I started to play when i was 8 years old.

I'm now 14 years old.

First : You should help him to remember the BASIC, make him feel confortable when he plays, help him in his decisions.
First, you should make him memorize this ; untap, draw, land drop, beatdown, creature spell, go !

You should make him play a mono-colored deck with burns/lot of 1/2 drops.

4 Elite Vanguard 4 $
4 Savannah Lions 6 $
4 Soltari Priest 6 $
4 Soltari Monk 6 $
3 Isamaru, Hound Of Konda 10 $
4 Suntail Hawk 0.40 $
4 Lantern Kami 0.40 $
4 Journey to nowhere 1 $
4 Honor The Pure 15-20 $
4 Mistral Charger / Leonin Skyhunter / Flying 2DROP

21 Plains

Sleeves : 5 $
Deckbox : 2 $

Make him play WW, then when he understand the ritual that is '' UNTAP DRAW BEATDOWN DROP CREATURES GO '' you can splash for red, 4 Lightning Bolt, 2 Lightning Helix, 4 Boros Swiftblade ect.


Yeah, but you're old kids now days have all types of things like; IPads.