I originally wrote this LARP 10 years ago for the 7th birthday of my son, Simon. The kids had a great time, and I think the structure holds up. If you ever run it, I’d like to know how it turned out!
P.S. Completely confused? Start here.
The Trials of Dagobah: A LARP for Kids
Intro: (a) Idea of the game: Let’s pretend! (b) Safety rules: Don’t try to hurt anyone, and if you see anyone getting hurt, help them! If you’re hurt or think someone else is, shout PAUSE to pause the game. (c) Don’t be scared! Monsters are just your dads and brothers trying to show kids a fun time. (d) Escape hatch: If you’re scared, just run back to the starting place (the spaceship) until you feel better, then rejoin the game! (e) Rules: Stay with the group, and heed the words of Yoda. When creatures put hands on their heads, pretend they’re not “really” there. When you want to attack something with your light saber, hit it and shout “1 Damage!” (The birthday boy does +1 Damage). If a creature hits you, fall down on the ground AWAY from the fighting. You’ll feel all better once your friends defeat the creature. Then you can wake up and rejoin the game!
Equipment: Yoda and the Padawans have light sabers. Padawans can have masks if they want. Yoda has a flash light, too.
Set-Up: The stairwell lights are on. But the basement is dark, and Padawans may NOT turn on the lights! Depending on outside light, use a blanket to cover the external basement door. The theater door and utility doors are locked, and the spare bedroom is for creatures only. The bathroom is just a bathroom. Tents with a connecting tube block the way between the theater door and the closet door. The trampoline is by the pillar. A ball pit is over by the book shelves.
Creatures: Creatures drop at 0 Life. Snake-Men and the Spider have 3 Life, the Vulture-Man has 4 Life, and the Sith Lords have 7 Life! Snake-Men attack with long foam swords, the Spider with his arms, the Vulture-Man with two pillows, and the Sith Lords with light sabers.
Scene 1: Yoda and Jedi start in the stairwell. Yoda explains they’re all Padawans flying to the swamp planet of Dagobah for Jedi training. Kids sit down on the stairs and make spaceship noises until Yoda says they’ve landed on Dagobah.
Scene 2: Yoda and the Padawans leave their spaceship and enter Dagobah by opening the basement door. Yoda warns the group that hostile Snake-Men will be waiting for them. A first Snake-Man runs around, harrying the Padawans. Then another Snake-Man pops up. Once both have circled around, they attack, and the Padawans have to defeat them!
Scene 3: Yoda tells the Padawans they have to crawl single-file through the Dagobah caves – the tents. He asks for the bravest Padawans to slowly go first! There are lots of (safe) obstructions inside the tents. But when the bravest Padawans emerge, they’re attacked by a Giant Spider! Other Padawans can hurry through to reinforce them if they cry for help.
Scene 4: Once all the Padawans are through, they have to use the Force to leap from tree to tree through the jungle. All the kids jump on the trampoline, then circle around the pillar, over and over, until they reach the mountain-top. One or two more Snake-Man appears mid-way to try to stop the Padawans from climbing the mountain.
Scene 5: Once the kids reach the mountain-top, Yoda hears a loud bird. Oh no, it’s a Vulture-Man! The Vulture-Man swoops over and starts whacking kids with his giant wings (pillows) until he’s defeated.
Scene 6: From the mountain-top, Yoda and the Padawans can see the Clay Springs (the ball pit). Ancient light saber crystals of great power (2 Damage instead of 1 Damage) can be found therein. Two More Snake-Men harry the kids as they hunt for the crystals inside the disgusting goopy springs.
Scene 7: Yoda tells the Padawans they are ready to face their final challenge… alone! He enters the creature room, telling them to stay on their guard as he departs. Heavy breathing and light saber noises come out of the door. Finally the door opens, revealing Darth Veidt and Darth Corruptus, plus other optional creatures. When the Sith Lords fall, Yoda soon re-emerges to congratulate the Padawans on completing their mission, and assures them they will all one day become powerful Jedi Knights!
Cute. Curious: do the girls like LARP games and role playing Games too or it just a boy thing.