Assimilating Your Kids Into Geek Culture (Part 3)

Today’s last installment of my series on assimilating kids into geek culture focuses on the ultimate in geekdom: the gaming convention. I’d originally thought I’d do what I did last time and give some tips. As I started researching, however, things started to take a different turn. I’m going to give a few tips and also fill local parents in on what kinds of kid programming¹ is available at your friendly neighborhood con.

First, I tried to Google keywords. I started with “cons and kids.” I got a bunch of articles giving pros and cons to letting kids play video games. Snore. Then I tried “gaming conventions kids.” Those were basically a bunch of websites for cons saying “Hey kids…blah, blah, blah.” Strike 2. Lastly I tried going super specific with “tips for taking your kids to gaming conventions.” Nada.

I decided to go with what I know. As you all know from reading my prior posts, I have two children. They have been coming to Con on the Cob since they were babes. I’ve been to other cons with kid- or family-oriented programming. I know what I look for in a con that I will be taking my kids to. Voila! A blog post is born.

I started with the next con I will personally be attending which is AnCon. This year AnCon, will be featuring a Kids Track with events tailored to the next generation of gamers. Next on the agenda is MarCon in Columbus. They will be having youth programming geared to offer a “little of everything for the younger attendees: Literature, Art, Costuming, Science, Anime, Media, Gaming, and Filk. Panels are interactive with hands-on projects as well as discussion.” It looks like there will be some project/crafting opportunities as well, including a returning “kids costuming workshop.”

For those looking to attend a larger con, I looked into Origins and Gen Con. Origins’ website is a little sparse, but they’ve been adding new info regularly, so keep checking back. Origins offers a lot of kid/family friendly options that aren’t necessarily gaming oriented. One thing I didn’t find elsewhere was an actual short term child care program. Here is the description from their website: “We have a wonderful kids program and are offering limited child care this year with our new “Little Dragons” program. This short term child care program will allow everyone in the family to enjoy a short game during the show!” Having taken my daughter to Origins in the past (it was her first con, she dressed as a fairy), I can say that the kids room was chock-full of fun things for kids to do and friendly people to help out. It was our first introduction to Apples to Apples and we had a blast!

Of the cons that I researched, Gen Con has the most kid-oriented programming. This year they will have Family Fun day on Sunday, August 8, and there will be special discounts for a family of four. They also offer kid’s only events every day of the con. One feature that I found particularly interesting was a gamers-in-training type program. From their family fun section of their website: “Training Grounds is the place to introduce kids to the gaming world and all its possibilities. It is designed for kids and those young at heart to come, play and explore! Training Grounds is most appropriate for kids ages 4-12 years old and is located in the Family Fun Pavilion.” It’s a little far to go from Northeast Ohio, but well worth the trip!

I couldn’t end a post about cons for kids (especially on the Con on the Cob blog) without mentioning Con on the Cob. CotC has offered kid friendly programming since year one. Saturday is always Children of the Cob day complete with a party, a beholder piñata, and movie. Starting last year, a full-time Kid’s Room was introduced.² and was a spectacular hit! What I really like best about CotC³ is that there is a family friendly feel to the entire con. There are a few “adults only” events, but they are clearly marked.

As promised, Beth’s tips for taking your kids to cons.

Research. There are most definitely cons out there that don’t care to have kids present. If you’ve never been to a particular con before and are thinking about taking your kids, check things out first. Look at their website. Join their discussion forum. Ask questions. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to have that first “talk” about the birds and bees to be about the naughty fairy and the Klingon that were nearly doing it in the hallway. Awkward.

Prepare Your Kids. Tell them what to expect. Get them excited. Talk about the events/programming that are offered at the con. Have your kids choose what things they want to do. If they hate magicians, but love painting, talk to them about miniature painting. If they love crafting, but people in costumes scare the bejesus out of them, best to skip the masquerade and stick to that boardgame making workshop.

Take Your Kid’s Age Into Account. Your 13-year-old would probably be much happier playing Low Life than Faery’s Tale. Just sayin’. Last year at CotC, my daughter played alongside the adults and when she wasn’t doing that, she was jamming on Rock Band. My son, on the other hand, was happy visiting the kids’ room or just hanging out in the vendors’ room.

Make Time to Hang With Them. True, most of us go to cons to game or engage in whatever activities make us happy,⁴ but if it’s a family affair, take some time to experience things through your kids’ eyes. You may have a better time than you ever imagined.

Peace, Love and Geeks!

1. literally and figuratively [↩]
2. Disclaimer: Con on the Cob is not a licensed childcare facility. You are responsible for your children and their actions and well-being. Children should be accompanied and supervised by a parent or designated guardian. [↩]
3. *plug, plug* [↩]
4. Artists, Cthulu & Barfleet [↩]