One of the things about D&D is that it can be played at any level of scary. You can play it solely as a puzzle game with no fighting if that is what works for the players. For example a rogue has taken on the job of acquiring a valued gem that is kept hidden in a trapped vault. No creatures are guarding it, just numerous traps. How WILL he do it???? wink

Honestly I've played a version with little kids (under 5) that just involved some dice rolling and saving a unicorn.