Kids-only larps are much easier to organise than mixed-age larps. But it would be nice to have a larger larp designed to be family-friendly, so that parents can bring their kids and not have to worry about babysitting.
Exactly what such a larp would be like is an interesting problem. There are lots of things that can make a larp unsuitable for kids, or make kids an obstacle in achieving a specific larp’s vision.
Adults themes like sex, horror, etc. are just the obvious issues with a highly mixed-age larp. I also think that PC competition (especially PCs killing each other) would be more difficult in a larp with kids. Can young kids, who are even less likely to take their hits than the average larper, and whose characters adults may feel bad about killing, be allowed to kill adults’ PCs? Probably not. Kids killing each other’s characters? Even some adults don’t seem mature enough to deal with that. In a PC vs PC larp with kids there would need to be some sort of weapon restriction built into the setting, such that under-16’s (or whatever) are barred from carrying weapons or using powers by cultural convention, IC law, supernatural restriction, etc. Likewise adults probably wouldn’t be able to kill the kids PCs. If a kid’s parent’s character dies, that could cause IC issues with them carrying on looking after the kid. Would kids understand a situation where their parents character has been killed by another PC? There are lots of interesting issues with real-world dependants. In theory it would be nice to have the naturalism of PC vs PC larp with the full age range, but in practice it may be difficult unless it’s a setting where violence and death is quite uncommon.
A PC vs NPC framework would be easier. I think something like a light good-versus-evil setting where kids have somewhat separate objectives to adults would be the easiest, especially one where death is uncommon and/or reversable. It needs to be intentionally light, because kid’s roleplay can seem quite silly to adults and dark themes need to be kept away from the kids. Good-versus-evil makes things clearer for the kids, and gives a good excuse for removing PC vs. PC conflict. Giving the kids separate objectives, e.g. monsters that for IC reasons only kids can fight, will allow the organisers to challenge the kids at their own levels while giving adults space to roleplay at their own level and perhaps engage in some darker themes in the absence of the kids. However, a separation like that might seem a bit forced and would requiie a lot of organiser work. Reversable death mean parents can continue playing the kid’s parents, and kids don’t have to deal with their character or their parents’ characters dying.
Separate kids-only and adults-only larps are definitely easier than either option above. Kids Skirmish, Harry Potter larp, etc. can give the kids what they want (getting to be the heros not just playing “kids”) and when they grow up they can join in the adult larps.
How old the children? Mine are 6 and 3, probably a little young yet! lol
my little boy would love one of those!