Can You Give Your Child a Pet in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide to Domestic Bliss
Yes, you absolutely can give your child a pet in Skyrim! After adopting children and building a home with the Hearthfire DLC, your kids have the opportunity to bring home various creatures they find throughout Skyrim. While you don’t directly give them the pet (they find it!), you do have the option to allow them to keep it, effectively making it a family pet. This adds a heartwarming layer to your role as a parent in the game.
Understanding Pets and Children in Skyrim
The Hearthfire DLC is essential for experiencing this aspect of the game. Without it, you won’t be able to build a house and adopt children. Once you’ve built a home with the necessary accommodations (beds and chests for the kids), you can adopt children from orphanages or off the streets of Skyrim.
Children in Skyrim are quite simple, they can bring a new pet home at random unless you already have one at your home. Your children are not able to die, and are immune to all in game effects. They can be fun to interact with, or, in the case of most players, just decorations.
How Your Child Acquires a Pet
Here’s the magic: After you’ve settled into your Hearthfire home with your children, they may ask if they can keep a pet they’ve found. The animals they can bring home include:
- Rabbits
- Foxes
- Mudcrabs
- Skeevars
The randomness of which pet they bring home and when they ask is part of the charm. The game doesn’t provide a set schedule, so just spend time at home and wait for the moment. Remember that only one pet can be kept at the home at any given time, with the exception of a dog follower and a child’s pet.
Adopting Meeko: A Special Case
While the above pets are brought home randomly, there’s a specific dog, Meeko, who offers a different path to pet ownership. You can recruit Meeko as a follower after finding him near Meeko’s Shack. If you bring Meeko to your home and your child sees him, they’ll eventually ask if they can keep him. Agree, and Meeko becomes a permanent pet for your family. It’s important to note that even if Meeko is at your home, your child could still bring a new pet, so be mindful of who you want to keep and dismiss the others.
Essential Tips for Pet Ownership
- Talk to Your Children: Engage with your kids regularly to increase the likelihood of them asking about keeping a pet.
- Spend Time at Home: The more time you spend at your Hearthfire home, the greater the chance of the event triggering.
- Consider a Dog Follower First: If you want Meeko or another dog as a family pet, acquire them as a follower and bring them home before your child finds a random pet.
- Be Prepared to Say No: If you don’t want a particular pet, you can refuse your child’s request.
- Enjoy the Experience: Having a pet adds a lovely touch to your family life in Skyrim.
FAQs: Giving Your Child a Pet in Skyrim
1. What if my child doesn’t ask about a pet?
Keep interacting with your children and spending time at your Hearthfire home. The event is triggered randomly, so patience is key.
2. Can I choose which pet my child brings home?
Unfortunately, no. The type of pet they find is determined randomly by the game.
3. Can my child’s pet die?
No, your child’s pets, like your children themselves, are immune to death and damage.
4. Can I have both a dog follower and a child’s pet?
Yes! This is the one exception. You can have one regular animal follower (like Meeko or Vigilance) alongside your child’s pet.
5. Where can I find Meeko?
Meeko can be found near Meeko’s Shack, located southeast of Hjaalmarch.
6. What happens if I dismiss Meeko after my child adopts him?
Once adopted, Meeko will remain at your Hearthfire home even if dismissed as a follower.
7. Can I have more than one child bring home a pet?
No, only one pet can reside at your home at a time, excluding the dog follower.
8. Does the child’s race affect what pet they find?
No, the child’s race does not influence the type of pet they bring home.
9. What other items can I give to my children?
Besides allowing them to keep pets, you can give your children:
- Daggers (any type)
- Wooden Swords
- Child’s Dolls
- Children’s Clothing
10. Do adopted children age in Skyrim?
Sadly, no. Adopted children remain the same age throughout the game.
11. Is there a way to divorce my spouse if I want to move to a different home with my children?
There is no in-game mechanic for divorce. The only way to end a marriage is through drastic measures (killing your spouse).
12. What are the benefits of adopting children in Skyrim?
Adopting children adds a layer of immersion and role-playing to the game. They provide a sense of family and can offer small gifts or benefits, such as cooked meals.
13. Where can I adopt children in Skyrim?
Children can be adopted from orphanages like Honorhall Orphanage in Riften or found living on the streets in various cities.
14. Can my children move houses with me?
Yes, you can instruct your children to move to a different Hearthfire home after you’ve built it and made it habitable. The best way to do this is to instruct your spouse to move, which will prompt your children to follow.
15. What is the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society is a professional association dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of games and learning. They host conferences, publish research, and foster collaboration among researchers, educators, and game developers. Visit their website to learn more: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The GamesLearningSociety.org is also a valuable resource for educators interested in integrating video games into their curricula.
Final Thoughts
Giving your child a pet in Skyrim is a small but meaningful way to enhance your family life within the game. It adds a touch of realism and warmth to your adventures in the snowy landscapes of Skyrim. Now, go forth, build your home, adopt your children, and eagerly await the arrival of a furry, scaly, or perhaps even a slightly unsettling new family member!