Thanks to everyone who replied to my question about low-level HQ
campaigning for kids. I ordered a copy of the HQ book, as it sounds
like it might be a simpler system than what I am using now.
As for doing role-playing games with kids: I've only done a couple
of scenarios with mine and so don't qualify as an expert, but here
are a few things that seemed to have worked:
- Build a scenario around babysitting. My kids played one where
they were responsible for a very fast little guy who had a knack for
wandering off into risk magical terrain -- sort of Roger Rabbit
Runequest.
- Use encounters that are annoying and weird, rather than lifethreatening.
For example, a giant snail that blocks the only path up
the mountain, and is too big to shift by force. (The kids came up
with a better solution than I anticipated, tickling its feelers with
the flechette end of an arrow until it withdrew into its shell).
- Use a forgiving setting. My kids are elves (they chose this
because they already liked to play elves), which seems like it would
make it easier to run a less violent campaign than if they were Uz
or Orlanthi.
Again, thanks for all the tips, I appreciate it.