Are you a parent who’s been itching to share the joy of playing Magic: The Gathering with your children? Perhaps you’ve faced the challenge of sparking their interest in this fantastic game. In this article, I’ll share my personal experience of getting my kids, Jaden (12) and Paxton (11), into Magic, and how it turned into a wonderful journey of bonding and growth.
Starting the Journey
My journey into introducing my kids to Magic began with a simple desire to share a hobby I loved with them. Jaden, my oldest, is high-functioning but has autism, and Paxton is a sweet and sensitive boy. At first, I thought that spending time together while playing the game would be enough to ignite their interest. However, as time went on, I noticed that they were only going through the motions and often lost interest during games.
The Turning Point
With over 20 different decks at my disposal, I decided to switch things up and provide them with simpler, more straightforward decks. These decks focused on the basic concept of turning cards sideways to attack, which I thought would hold their interest better. While it did help to some extent, it wasn’t until they invited their friends to play that things truly clicked.
The magic of Magic, it turned out, lay not just in the game itself, but in the sense of community it fostered. Playing with friends of their age group, combined with my undivided attention, transformed their interest into fanaticism. Our dining room table became Magic central, and the time spent with my boys and their friends has been nothing short of amazing.
Ownership and Growth
But getting your kids into Magic is just the beginning of the story. I realized that to keep their enthusiasm alive, I needed to let them take ownership of their decks and collections. I stepped back and allowed them to choose deck types and make their own decisions, even when those choices weren’t optimal. Their love for Commander decks from the Lost Caverns of Ixilan, with Merfolk and Pirates being their top picks, showed that giving them room to make their own choices was key.
Teachable Moments
As a parent, I also found that Magic offered ample opportunities for teachable moments. In our home, cards had to be read correctly, even if some card names seemed utterly bizarre, as in the case of Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar
. Additionally, we insisted on correct math skills, dismissing the idea that “Math is for Blockers.” This not only added an educational aspect to our games but also reinforced the importance of attention to detail.
In conclusion, introducing your kids to Magic: The Gathering can be a rewarding journey filled with bonding, learning, and growth. It’s all about creating a sense of community, allowing them to take ownership, and seizing teachable moments along the way. Magic has not only brought joy to my family but has also allowed me to spend quality time with my kids while helping them develop important skills. I am truly thankful for the magic that Magic has brought into our lives.