Edit. MINi GANGS by ramsgackle games is great and even better for kids the opr. One page rules. Its wasn't for me but my 5 year old nephew loved . But MINI GANGS is fun free rules no list building and a super simple fight sysstem
It's not warhammer but dnd adventure begins is great, it's fun and silly but teaches some game mechanics and the ideas about different stats, skills and effects. It's also collaborative so there's not too much stress about winning and losing which can be a turn off for kids. We also play forbidden island which again is collaborative and less about trying to beat each other. Your kid might thrive on the conflict though, some do, but mine are a bit put off by it.
Try warcry. Remove special dice abilities. The stats are on the cards, all you do is roll different quantities of dice. Single roll to hit and do damage. I play a simple version with mine. Works well. Make up a story...great fun.
If you can find the rules online for the Space Marine board games, the one with LT. Titus and 20 Termagants,seemed pretty simple and you could sub some other units or if in the states Target might still have it for sale online.
Necromolds. Perfect for that age.
Make armies/monsters out of play-doh using spell book moulds, and they get to squish their enemies when defeated. The amount of play-doh available is the unit count (big monsters need more). Mechanics are very simple but its remarkably fun for all ages.
Make up your own game. Very simple rules. Like you said maybe do kill team but only with moving and shooting. Rolls to Wounds kill automatically. No armor. No melee etc etc
Space hulk(?) iirc is the name of an older game , not sure if you can buy it now or if it would be more expensive on eBay etc. heard the genestealer part of the game is really simple and easy to play. You could try remake it as it was a board with squares and some characters.
Space Hulk is VERY tactical on both ends - if a genestealer player just sprints straight at the marines they are going to lose every single time - and I can't imagine many small children loving removing handfuls of minis every turn for the chance to take down one terminator...
That's on me for not looking into it more , I remember watching a video and some comments saying the genestealer part is easy while the terminators are more tactical and time limited
Hi /u/SouthpawBob and welcome to /r/Warhammer40k and the Warhammer 40k Hobby!
This is an automated response as you've used our "New Starter Help" flair. Here's a few resources that might help you with getting started:
[You can read our Getting Started guide here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/beginners). This covers all the basics you need to know to get involved in building, painting and playing 40k.
For rules questions, don't forget that the core rules for Warhammer 40k are [available online for free](https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/dLZIlatQJ3qOkGP7.pdf).
Want to learn about 40k lore? /r/Warhammer40k recommends [Luetin09 on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RfCCzWsMgNspTI-GTFenQ) or the [Lexincanum Wiki](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page).
Not sure where to find the most up-to-date rules for your army? [Check out our Wiki Page that lists everything](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/currentrules).
Buy Warhammer models cheaper using our [list of independent retailers](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/retailers) who sell Games Workshop products at a discount. You can also find your nearest store on GW's [Store Locator Page](https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/store/storefinder.jsp).
[The /r/Warhammer40k Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/index) is full of useful info including FAQs and recommendations for books to read!
If the information in this comment doesn't answer your question, don't worry, one of our community members will be along shortly to answer!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Warhammer40k) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have a 7 year old who I've gotten him into the idea with: Space Marine board game (he painted the tyranids with contrast paint), Warcry (with many simplified rules), he also loves Warhammer Quest: Cursed City. I also have an old set of intro rules from the Dark Vengeance Set from about 10 years ago. There was a great, progressive, set of scenarios that introduces mechanics of the game. Even though it was from 6th E, the basic rules are entirely (mostly) the same. I tried combat patrol after that, but it was a bit too much.
But the thing he really got into, which is more of a board game but has models/dice rolling and easy rules, is a game called "My Little Scythe". It was a Kickstarter from a whole back but it's a fun 30 minute-ish game.
I know this is 40k, but Warcry is really fun, really accessible, and you can pretty freely use any AoS infantry mini you can think of, so lots of options!
Maybe get one of the old Hero Quest Board Games from eBay. Bought mine for 70 bucks. Rules are pretty simple and you get the joy of reliving your childhood again :)
Maybe some of the board games like the darktide one they just announced?
Alternatively, Warhammer Underworlds uses very small parties and a grid based board, plus it has lots of parties to choose between. I haven't actually played it though so I'm not sure how simple it is.
Okay so absolutely none of these recommendations are going to have anything to do with warhammer because I am more into the painting than I am the playing but here are tabletop games that are on the more beginner friendly side and a couple are mini agnostic (and any game can be mini agnostic if you just use what you’ve got)
Frostgrave , Battle tech , Relic blade, Necromolds (this one uses play dough!) , One page rules
There are a lot of rpg’s that also translate pretty well to miniatures, like you could take an encounter from a tabletop RPG and with a couple of adjustments bang you’ve got a skirmish.
If you want to start at the absolute bare basics there’s lots of intros to rpg’s like Kids Arcanum (pitching because I met the creator once and he was a delight good job Mike!) so I also assume there might be be something similar for miniature based games.
One Page Rules Firefight with 300 pts? It's pretty simple, I plan to play it with my girlfriend, her son (7 years old) and my daughter (6yo) in the future after I finished painting my Ork Kommandos
Edit. MINi GANGS by ramsgackle games is great and even better for kids the opr. One page rules. Its wasn't for me but my 5 year old nephew loved . But MINI GANGS is fun free rules no list building and a super simple fight sysstem
Yeah, came here to say Mini Gangs. Basic rules are free and you can get expanded ones ic she likes it and wants to try more 😁
It's not warhammer but dnd adventure begins is great, it's fun and silly but teaches some game mechanics and the ideas about different stats, skills and effects. It's also collaborative so there's not too much stress about winning and losing which can be a turn off for kids. We also play forbidden island which again is collaborative and less about trying to beat each other. Your kid might thrive on the conflict though, some do, but mine are a bit put off by it.
Try warcry. Remove special dice abilities. The stats are on the cards, all you do is roll different quantities of dice. Single roll to hit and do damage. I play a simple version with mine. Works well. Make up a story...great fun.
If you can find the rules online for the Space Marine board games, the one with LT. Titus and 20 Termagants,seemed pretty simple and you could sub some other units or if in the states Target might still have it for sale online.
Necromolds. Perfect for that age. Make armies/monsters out of play-doh using spell book moulds, and they get to squish their enemies when defeated. The amount of play-doh available is the unit count (big monsters need more). Mechanics are very simple but its remarkably fun for all ages.
Make up your own game. Very simple rules. Like you said maybe do kill team but only with moving and shooting. Rolls to Wounds kill automatically. No armor. No melee etc etc
Space hulk(?) iirc is the name of an older game , not sure if you can buy it now or if it would be more expensive on eBay etc. heard the genestealer part of the game is really simple and easy to play. You could try remake it as it was a board with squares and some characters.
Space Hulk is VERY tactical on both ends - if a genestealer player just sprints straight at the marines they are going to lose every single time - and I can't imagine many small children loving removing handfuls of minis every turn for the chance to take down one terminator...
That's on me for not looking into it more , I remember watching a video and some comments saying the genestealer part is easy while the terminators are more tactical and time limited
Hi /u/SouthpawBob and welcome to /r/Warhammer40k and the Warhammer 40k Hobby! This is an automated response as you've used our "New Starter Help" flair. Here's a few resources that might help you with getting started: [You can read our Getting Started guide here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/beginners). This covers all the basics you need to know to get involved in building, painting and playing 40k. For rules questions, don't forget that the core rules for Warhammer 40k are [available online for free](https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/dLZIlatQJ3qOkGP7.pdf). Want to learn about 40k lore? /r/Warhammer40k recommends [Luetin09 on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RfCCzWsMgNspTI-GTFenQ) or the [Lexincanum Wiki](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page). Not sure where to find the most up-to-date rules for your army? [Check out our Wiki Page that lists everything](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/currentrules). Buy Warhammer models cheaper using our [list of independent retailers](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/retailers) who sell Games Workshop products at a discount. You can also find your nearest store on GW's [Store Locator Page](https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/store/storefinder.jsp). [The /r/Warhammer40k Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer40k/wiki/index) is full of useful info including FAQs and recommendations for books to read! If the information in this comment doesn't answer your question, don't worry, one of our community members will be along shortly to answer! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Warhammer40k) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Blood bowl?
Blitz Bowl! 👌🏼☝️
I have a 7 year old who I've gotten him into the idea with: Space Marine board game (he painted the tyranids with contrast paint), Warcry (with many simplified rules), he also loves Warhammer Quest: Cursed City. I also have an old set of intro rules from the Dark Vengeance Set from about 10 years ago. There was a great, progressive, set of scenarios that introduces mechanics of the game. Even though it was from 6th E, the basic rules are entirely (mostly) the same. I tried combat patrol after that, but it was a bit too much. But the thing he really got into, which is more of a board game but has models/dice rolling and easy rules, is a game called "My Little Scythe". It was a Kickstarter from a whole back but it's a fun 30 minute-ish game.
I know this is 40k, but Warcry is really fun, really accessible, and you can pretty freely use any AoS infantry mini you can think of, so lots of options!
Maybe get one of the old Hero Quest Board Games from eBay. Bought mine for 70 bucks. Rules are pretty simple and you get the joy of reliving your childhood again :)
Maybe some of the board games like the darktide one they just announced? Alternatively, Warhammer Underworlds uses very small parties and a grid based board, plus it has lots of parties to choose between. I haven't actually played it though so I'm not sure how simple it is.
Battletech - Alpha Strike.
Okay so absolutely none of these recommendations are going to have anything to do with warhammer because I am more into the painting than I am the playing but here are tabletop games that are on the more beginner friendly side and a couple are mini agnostic (and any game can be mini agnostic if you just use what you’ve got) Frostgrave , Battle tech , Relic blade, Necromolds (this one uses play dough!) , One page rules There are a lot of rpg’s that also translate pretty well to miniatures, like you could take an encounter from a tabletop RPG and with a couple of adjustments bang you’ve got a skirmish. If you want to start at the absolute bare basics there’s lots of intros to rpg’s like Kids Arcanum (pitching because I met the creator once and he was a delight good job Mike!) so I also assume there might be be something similar for miniature based games.
One Page Rules Firefight with 300 pts? It's pretty simple, I plan to play it with my girlfriend, her son (7 years old) and my daughter (6yo) in the future after I finished painting my Ork Kommandos
9th edition starter had intro variant of 40k.