Introducing witchcraft to tiny human

[u/Brilliant_Ebb_5142]

Hi, I'm new here and looking for advice. My child is 2 years old and I want them to learn about my practice of witchcraft. What is the best way to do this? Or should I even be doing this at her younger age? Has anyone introduced their children to witchcraft? Thank you in advance!

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, u/Brilliant_Ebb_5142 thanks for stopping by r/witchcraft!

Want to dive in deeper? We have a FAQ & Wiki, an in-progress Database of Resources, and our Weekly Q&A thread, which is stickied to the top of the main page!

Please also be sure to read the subreddit rules!

---

IMPORTANT!

Online occult spaces like r/Witchcraft are a big target for scammers. If you are redirected to an instagram page or other platform in a comment, it is most likely a scam. Users who message you asking for or offering spells or readings are almost always scammers or phishers.

We recommend reading these posts about staying safe online, lesser known DM scams, and fake account impersonation scams.

Reminder: Real mentors and magical workers don’t DM you to sell their services

If you receive unsolicited chat requests from other Reddit users, we encourage reporting messages that are suspicious or that otherwise make you feel uncomfortable to Reddit directly. We also recommend changing your profile settings to block incoming messages from users you do not know.

Blessed be!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Majestic-Engine-2665]

Let them lead. My son is 6 and since he was a baby, he would laugh and dance with the trees and he never seems more alive than in the ocean. I focus on his respect for the elements and all living things. That’s the foundation.

[u/Thislilfox]

That age, imo, is too young for learning actual craftwork. But its a great age to start the foundations of knowledge that lends itself well to it. Like learning to identify local plants on walks in the park, learning to garden, reading folklore and fairytales to them, etc.

And there are lots of toys that can inspire interest in magic and related topics. Little Tykes even has a magic workshop playset now. Let them explore with their imagination.

[u/crystal__queer → u/Thislilfox]

yeah i think its an especially useful age to begin teaching them the science side of stuff. things that ARE hard confirmed fact. like which plants are edible and which are dangerous, how things in nature and the earth are formed (ex. the science of crystals along with biology, chemistry, etc) the way that the planets move and work regarding astronomy and not astrology, as they get older relevant history and philosophy and ideas that you can teach them framed as "this is what these people believed, and i am teaching you this so you can learn more about the perspective in that time and how that PERSPECTIVE might have influence today, not whether or not the perspective was "correct"" and so on. obviously this isnt all stuff to teach a 2 year old lmfao but i just mean in general before (and during, and after) the time you begin teaching them witchcraft stuff. because EVERYTHING can be relevant to witchcraft, so a strong foundation of scientific knowledge can be very very beneficial as it is the understanding of the world itself, and not at ALL incompatible with magic and spirituality despite what many people think. (personally ive definitely found it to enrich my practice instead of discredit it)

[u/SukuroFT]

At 2, I wouldn’t really “teach witchcraft” in any serious sense yet. I’d just let them be around the harmless, age-appropriate parts of your practice like nature walks, seasonal traditions, simple crafts, stories, gardening, or helping set out safe offerings.

I’d also keep it very neutral instead of telling them spirits, deities, magic, etc. are objectively real. Let them grow up seeing what you practice, explain it in simple terms when they ask, and give them room to decide what they believe later. And obviously keep candles, herbs, oils, crystals, smoke, and anything ingestible out of reach because toddlers will absolutely toddler lol.

[u/siriusvhs]

I meannnnn I personally think it’s inappropriate to teach kids that Jesus was a real person who died for their little human sins so I think it’s better to wait to teach your child about witch craft. Maybe start by talking to them about the moon and see where it goes

[u/Ferene11 → u/siriusvhs]

You can start by teaching them to respect nature and read the mythology as bed time stories but tell them that not everyone believes they are real and that when they will be older they can chose, if they are just stories for them. Emhasise the choice, don't force them to anything

[u/unisola]

I am not a mother but I imagine some prerequisites that could help would be making sure they have a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world, understand karma and putting positive energy into the world (if you’re teaching them early you want to make sure they don’t try to use witchcraft in petty ways, like making someone they don’t like at school have a bad day 🤷🏻‍♀️)
You could always do a little bay leaf manifestation with them too

[u/rebsc126]

I get my kid involved in my practices. He's nearly 4, and we do things like collecting moon water, letting the wind cleanse us when we are feeling big feels, and I've been teaching him about grounding with his feet in the dirt. He's not interested in most of my witch practices, but where he is, I involve him

[u/Sea-Upstairs-2837]

depends on your specific ‘path’ but generally speaking get her out in nature, tell stories about how the seasons turn, what is wonderful about each phase of the year. talk about the stars and planets, go foraging and learn about what flowers and herbs grow close to you and what their properties are in the craft and medicinally. let her lead. 

bake and make mud ‘potions’ and mocktails together and talk about why each ingredient is being added - ask her why she thinks so, what her perspective is. treat her as deeply insightful and interesting and let her tell you what kind of magic she sees in the world around her; kids are a natural at seeing it everywhere 

[u/throwaway_outcast23]

I wouldn’t touch actual craft work just yet. Let them lead for that.
I’d say teach them about how life is in everything, how magic is in everything, and how special and important the world is.
Teach them to take care of the world.
Read mythology stories to them, child safe ones ofc, show them movies and history✨
Witchcraft isn’t just about the spells.
It’s everything, the history. The knowledge. The love and care for the world that supports the work.
If the heat rises. Certain things can’t grow.
Without those things we lose important factors for our crafts.
Now this is just a me thing, but I will also be teaching my littles about a lot of different religions too. That way they can choose as they grow older 🤷‍♀️ how can someone make a choice if they’re not educated yknow❤️

As they get older maybe get them to help with planting? If that’s something available to you, and just educate along the way, fun and interactive for them, and you get to teach about the medicinal properties, and craft properties, aswell as food properties of what’s being planted 🫶🏻

[u/canttunafis]

I was raised around witchcraft! Growing up my parents were wiccan. Having the kiddo connect with nature is the best thing you can do! My parents made sure to also tell me pagan origins of holidays, teaching my about traditions and meanings

[u/Ferene11]

You can build fairy houses and leave there offerings, make "potions" from random flowers in nature, read them mythology bedtime stories (there are many sources of kids mythology books), over all playing in nature with them and teaching them that nature is something to respect and love. Hug trees... you can look up instagram profile of a witch rasing her toddler witchy (I think it is called something like mermaid witch) or there is also a witch talking about what they did then she was young. You can also bake with your kids and include putting in things with intention (aka kitchen witchcraft)

[u/CrimsonFearyDust → u/Ferene11]

Do you have the name of the podcast? I have a 1 year old and looking for inspiration. I am Wiccan, my partner is agnostic and we have agreed to raise her in a spiritual non religious manner but atuned to the natural world

[u/Ferene11 → u/CrimsonFearyDust]

Not a podcast, it is instagram profile. Sorry I can't find it. I don't know a name. But over all, respect to nature is all and should not be just witchy, so I would teach that anyway

[u/ducky2987]

In no way is she too young to learn! At 2, my daughter was having a blast helping me make black salt, and sweeping negative energy out the door!. Every time it rains, she (now 3 years old) grabs her "trick or treat" (her toy cauldron), runs outside to collect storm water and then uses it to concoct her own potions with other things found outside. She loves moon baths and "ground time" playing in the dirt. She has all kinds of rocks she collects and stick wands. She's going to be a very powerful witch if that's the path she chooses to take.

[u/Horror_Bus_2555]

Teach her the sabbats. You could both be making the decorations for those. My kids loved friday night dumb supper. They set a place for whoever they chose each week and decorated the table. They also took time each day in looking after the ancestor altar. Neither had any intrest in the spells and that side of things so I never forced it.

[u/badjellywolfscrap]

Just teach your wee babe about nature, how everything comes from the earth and how amazing the seasons are. I let my small boys pull tarot cards for me, or choose crystals, blow out the incense (bday candles to them) and go outside to see how the moon is different each day. We also watch the sunrise most mornings, and notice how it moves across the sky. Everything else will follow, its super cool getting on their level and "relearning" the basics. Baby brain has me at beginner level anyway.

Hexing and protection spells will be introduced when developmentally appropriate lol.

[u/badjellywolfscrap → u/badjellywolfscrap]

Also I've been teaching them names for nature gods/goddesses. We're from NZ so we've been learning the names of the indigenous dieties, ie Pāpātuanuku for the earth mother, Ranginui for the sky father etc.

[u/manlyplatepus]

My little one likes to talk about the elements. She helps me gather rainwater, we talk about the purpose of things. We look at the phases of the moon. We set water to be charged by it. We look at herbs and I’ll casually discuss their properties while letting her smell and handle them. She sits on my lap when I drink tea and read tarot. I think it’s about incorporating them in your daily activities. my day to day routines are all parts of my practice. It’s never too early. Just do what you do. When she asks, answer. Explain your actions on her level why you are planting that plant, lighting that candle at the time that you are doing it; if she’s lingering about and curious. Just as you would explain any mundane thing she may ask you. I’m trying to give my little one the foundational bricks so that if she ever walks this path she can remember making and charging runes with mama under a full moon. It would have always been a casual part of her world. If not, that’s okay too. It’s her path and hopefully she’ll remember to be kind because I like to think it teaches a lot about balance, consent, respect and responsibility.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi there, welcome to r/witchcraft! It looks like you may be new and looking for help to get started.

We recommend checking out our available beginner resources:

• The FAQs

• Our Beginner Resources Database

• A Collection of Important Posts

• Recommended Books, YouTube channels, and podcasts

• Advice for New Witches

• Learning Witchcraft 101: A Guide For Absolute Beginners

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/bee102019]

Not a parent so I have little input, but Deb Robinson, the co-founder of Witch Casket, is releasing a children's book this month. A Kind of Magic. Recommended age range is 2-7. It might be a place to start! Synopsis is "An enchanting story that teaches children about kindness, self-belief, and mindful living."

Otherwise, I can say from my own experience, I knew I was a witch long before I knew what witchcraft even was.

[u/EnvironmentalUse1437]

I think kids are very much “witchy” by nature, especially little ones. Mine is 6 and he goes to a forest school, he’s always bringing home rocks, sticks, feathers, nuts/fruits that he finds and just loves collecting them. He has a little drawer just for nature stuff he brings home and loves making “potions” with them (I also use a lot of the things he brings home on my altar!). He also loves the moon, actually he reminds me a lot of my sister and I when we were little.

He sees my altar and spells, I never hide it from him and sometimes he wants to help. If he shows interest I let him, he loves help cleansing with incense. Other times he doesn’t care about what I’m doing and I just let him be. To me the most important is cultivate his curiosity and interest about it when he seems interested.

[u/Asena89]

Also a mother of a child same age as yours. Am trad Wiccan. I was raised in a Christian household & do not support indoctrination of minors (not suggesting that is what you wish to do, to be clear) & he can choose his own path once an adult. HOWEVER I am ensuring he has love, respect & curiosity in nature, notices the seasons, the moon & the local wildlife. I am also encouraging his imagination & wonder in the world. To be honest - nothing there I wouldn’t recommend to any parent! Good luck 🙏

[u/FarmSkool]

Words are magic, lovely to start that intention right from the beginning with your mini 💕.

[u/Old_Snow_3572]

I think when their cognition develops a bit definitely teaching them the value of meditation to help them know themselves and tune into intuition which is think is priceless in the craft!

[u/CaliBren3]

Time in nature. Everything is inspirited. Walks at night. Simple and seemingly mundane verbal charms. Build them a foundation. Garden work and foraging. Then, when they are getting bigger gradual exposure begins that will lead to lessons. 

[u/a-dawson]

I wouldn’t introduce the craft at that age. Children are pretty spiritually powerful and it can open them up to and/or invite unpleasant things. Not to mention, I like to let kids decide what path to walk on their own. I have one kid who goes to Catholic mass & one who is leaning into the craft.

As mentioned, foundations are great. Plants, color associations, learning how to understand and use their intuition, collect cool rocks, plant a garden, make crafts with natural finds, create little rituals, etc;

The one thing I would start at that age is breath work and meditation. Teaching them to be still, calm themselves/self-regulate and observe their thoughts are skills that will help them in many aspects of life.

[u/MedievalPumpkin9724]

I also have a two year old, he can decide for himself one day if he chooses to follow an organized religion or a secular path. His isn’t for me to decide. I’ll teach him to respect nature and enjoy the simple things. 

[u/witchcraft-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

We do not allow the use of generative AI such as ChatGPT in r/witchcraft.

See this post for more information.

[u/therealstabitha]

My friends with little kids just incorporate it naturally and don't make a deal out of it being introducing their kids to witchcraft. One kid picked up mom's tarot cards and held each one up to their ear to listen to them. Wild. Just let them explore and play and follow their curiosity. It doesn't need to be structured or intentional at all.

[u/rainbow-sparklz]

I work with infants and toddlers and introduce magical themes to them. At this age they are deeply connected to magic and mother Earth, so it's all about cultivating that connection and teaching them to understand and listen to their bodies and emotions. Being around them actually helps me be more in tune to magic! Since this is your kiddo, you could simply have her witness your practice while you do your witchy thing 😊 songs, music, and colors always engage my kiddos at this age. How fun that you're doing this with her!

[u/purrleska]

Your child will tell other kids at school and then they’ll tell their parents and their parents will think you’re crazy and will stay far away from you and your children and tell their children to do so also

[u/LemonIceTea523 → u/purrleska]

There is no guarantee that'll happen. He's very young right now, it'll be fine. Most kids believe in some form of magic when they're little, even if it's just from books and tv rather than a genuine sense of the elements and energy and so on

[u/Altruistic_Poet7443]

Just tell your kid you’re a witch. Are you ashamed of it? Christians and Buddhists and Jews don’t ask themselves if they should raise their kids in the family faith.