Writing for children is different from writing for adults. Here's some advice on how to make it work.

!'''Necessary Tropes'''

While a series written for teens can get into sex, swearing, and violence, a series written for kids needs to avoid that stuff like the plague. Or, at the very least, use the utmost caution, and always ask yourself whether you really ''need'' to include that element. Or even, "Am I writing for the correct demographic?" Maybe you're not.

But assuming you want to stick with the "kid-friendly" label, then:

* No sex or erotically titillating behaviour.
* No gore.
* No more than mild or [[AmusingInjuries cartoon violence]].
* No more than moderate scariness (see DefangedHorrors).
* No more than extremely mild swearing (mostly [[GoshDangItToHeck euphemisms]], like "dang"; possibly "hell" but more likely "heck") unless you've got a SwearWordPlot. But even then, tread with maximum caution (perhaps employing the NarrativeProfanityFilter).

Depending on the specific demographic you're writing for, the requirements might be even more stringent (e.g., some Christian publishers (thought not all of them) might be troubled over a kiss between people not married). So, research! Find out what you can and can't do before you get too far into the plot.

Because these guidelines will reduce your options. For example, you can't make a really scary villain (though he might end up being unintentionally scary, or [[FridgeHorror scary in hindsight]]). And you can't rely on misinterpreted swear words as a plot point.

You may be able to [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar get away with naughty stuff]] occasionally, but you shouldn't include such content just for the sake of trying to slip it past the MoralGuardians. Otherwise you risk diving into DemographicallyInappropriateHumor.

!'''Choices, Choices'''
!'''Pitfalls'''

Kids are smarter than you probably give them credit for! And in today's world, what with television, the internet, and the playground, they're exposed to a lot more at an early age. While you shouldn't [[ViewersAreGeniuses assume]] they're capable of reading into things the way adults can, neither should you [[ViewersAreMorons talk down to them]].

And don't shy from topics like sorrow and death. Treated right, these can still make excellent material for young readers. You can even get into [[GrayAndGrayMorality grays]] a bit... if you're careful. Generally speaking, you want at least the lead character to be sympathetic to kids. For example, if the hero has to do something bad, have them [[HeelRealization lament that they did a bad thing]] even though [[IDidWhatIHadToDo they didn't see any alternatives]] or were just [[NiceJobBreakingItHero unaware that it was bad]].

Kids get that it's not a black-and-white world probably earlier than you'd expect. On the other hand, they don't want to see KarmaHoudini characters any more than adults do. Make sure the baddies get what's coming to them. If not immediately, then at least [[KarmaHoudiniWarranty eventually]].

Don't default to vapid, flat characters and rely on flashy action scenes or cute design for appeal. [[RoundedCharacter Engaging, deep characters]] that undergo development over time are just as important in kids' works as they are anywhere else. This mirrors the point above - they're not going to understand complex webs of intrigue and deception, and you should be wary of anything that verges on [[UnfortunateImplications innocence-destroying]], but at the same time, they'll appreciate a well-rounded character more and for longer than a [[FlatCharacter cardboard cutout]]. A good question to ask is, if you fast forward ten or twenty years, are your viewers going to remember your show fondly or regrettably? A good children's series can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. This isn't about DemographicallyInappropriateHumour or even [[ParentalBonus Parental Bonuses]] - amidst the [[SugarBowl tooth-rotting cute]], [[ShonenDemographic kinetic fight scenes]] or [[DerangedAnimation quirky,]] [[DisneyAcidSequence zany antics]], is there, honestly, a good story in there? All too often, kid's series forget the ''story'' part of the story.

Keep in mind that kids probably won't be buying your story. Their parents will be buying it for them. Most parents do not know their kids very well and [[HelicopterParents believe them to be incredibly fragile]]. For this reason, tread carefully with dark and mature subject matter. Don't avoid it completely, but try not to make your book only known for being challenged. Best advice would be to make the overall tone lighthearted.

When creating a more action-focused series for kids, you need to strike a very careful balance. Violence tends to be pretty prevalent in such stories, and if characters are going to get in fights, and you don't want to resort to the characters just {{Flynning}} or [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy constantly missing]] each-other's attacks, then you need to do what you can to restrain any possible injuries characters can receive to prevent things from diving head-first into SubvertedKidsShow territory. Physical fights usually result in little more than ClothingDamage, with bruising at worst. And if characters ever get scratches, sometimes it's best to show red lines (assuming the character is human) without having actual blood.[[note]]WesternAnimation/TeenTitans and pre-Adult Swim WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack did this a lot.[[/note]] Because of this, you'll find more indirect or abstract methods of attack such as magic or sci-fi weapons being used more frequently. Of course, as mentioned earlier, kids are smarter than most people give them credit for, and know what blood is.[[note]]You'd be hard pressed to find a kid who has gone to a playground at school or at a park who has never fallen and scraped their knee or something.[[/note]] So while kids can handle seeing it, it should also be limited, and such instances should be reserved for only the most [[WhamShot serious of injuries]] a character can fall victim to.[[note]]For example, WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}} getting hit by Shan Yu's sword once, resulting in a dire moment later.[[/note]]

!'''Potential Subversions'''
* A stock Aesop of the 80s was TooSmartForStrangers, which popped up in the wake of the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. The problem is that the [=PSAs=] always said that every person you don't know wants to kidnap/molest you, and will [[SweetsOfTemptation bribe you with candy]], but most cases of child sexual abuse come from ''a person the kid already knows and trusts''. Since CSA is still a problem to this day, instead of going "strangers are just people in [[CreepyStalkerVan white vans]]", have an Aesop teaching that ''anyone'' can be a sexual abuser, not everyone has GoodParents, and to identify warning signs that one is being groomed.
* Adding onto the above, a subversion of the forgiveness Aesop could be that you are not obligated to forgive someone if they have seriously hurt you. And that's okay. Some people just don't deserve sympathy or a second chance if they are that vile.
* DrugsAreBad - another stock 80s Aesop, but ''Series/SesameStreet'' put an interesting twist on it. There's a character, Karli, whose [[JunkieParent mother has an opioid addiction]], causing Karli to go to a foster home. While it still conveys the messages that drugs aren't good for you, it doesn't demonize Karli's mom for being addicted. The characters hold out hope that she will get better and be with Karli again, and she is already on the fast-track to recovering since they mention her going to rehab. You could have an Aesop similar to this one, with a realistic depiction of addiction, not demonizing the addict, and sending them to rehab so they can recover -- the last one pretty much never appeared in the 80s [=PSAs=].

!'''Writers' Lounge'''
!!'''Suggested Themes and Aesops'''
* BeYourself - seen in almost every kids' show, stressing the importance of staying true to one's self.
* TeamSpirit - there's power in numbers. Also a universal kids' series Aesop.
* Dealing with negative emotions constructively
* Using your imagination
* Apologizing and {{Forgiveness}}
* Generosity
* Doing the right thing, even when it may be unpopular to do so.
* Respecting others' differences and not being prejudiced.
* [[RousseauWasRight No one is truly bad deep down.]]
* HonestyAesop
* The world doesn't revolve around you, and you can't always get your own way. Learn to think of others.
* [[AWeightyAesop Eating healthy and getting enough exercise]]. Also, it's okay to eat junk food in moderation.
* You can't change the past, you can only learn from it. Also, [[MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld it's fine to make mistakes]] and no one is perfect.
* Don't run away from your problems.
* Don't believe everything you hear, and don't spread gossip and rumors.
* InternetSafetyAesop - be safe online.
* Treat others the way you want to be treated.
* Don't make deals with suspicious characters.
* Enjoy your childhood while you still can. And it's okay to have 'childish' interests.
* The world is beautiful and [[GreenAesop we should protect it]].
* Respect others' boundaries - '''no means no'''.

!!'''Potential Motifs'''

* Heard somewhere that while adults tend to favor mercy, children cry out for justice. You thought the Brothers Grimm were cruel? Apparently children enjoy seeing the baddies get what's coming to them, without pulling punches. It assures them that someone's keeping track of things like that.
* While children's fiction isn't the place for extreme horror, a lot of the children's fiction that sticks with people throughout their lives has horror elements in ''just the right amount'' - challenging, but not traumatising. Since individual children have different tolerance levels, it's important to allow the child the ability to self-regulate by keeping the horror ambiguous and mysterious, which allows children to use their imaginations to whatever extent they are comfortable with. You can go heavy on the horror if you blend it skilfully with light elements. If the children trust wholeheartedly that the hero can and will eventually beat the monster, you can make it very frightening indeed; if the world is wonderful and beautiful and the heroes find fun in it, the setting can be surprisingly brutal. CreepyGood characters, be they gentle, comic relief, tragic TheGrotesque figures, or otherworldly, are common in children's fiction because they allow a safe way for children to explore feelings of fear.

!!'''Suggested Plots'''
Make up your own, don`t ask us.
!'''Departments'''
!!'''Set Designer''' / '''Location Scout'''
!!'''Props Department'''
!!'''Costume Designer'''
!!'''Casting Director'''
!!'''Stunt Department'''
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