I disagree that it is cognitively more difficult to learn an instrument as an adult - in fact I think adults have a lot of advantages in that regard, at least u

I disagree that it is cognitively more difficult to learn an instrument as an adult - in fact I think adults have a lot of advantages in that regard, at least up to a "proficient" level. Clearly it would be different talking about the highest levels of professional playing, but at even "normal" levels of professional ability I think this holds. But it's about time spent. Kids just have fewer demands on their time, so it's easier for them to practice regularly. They might also have a parent enforcing the practice time. They might also spend more time on important fundamentals (scales, theory), while adults might gravitate toward current applications (a song I want to learn). I believe that if you try to learn an instrument AS THOUGH you were a kid, you would learn at least at the rate a kid would, subject just to whatever natural talent difference there might be. I've been learning piano as an adult, and over several years have managed to stay ahead of all my kids. Not sure how much longer that will hold true, but if nothing else it's a strong motivator for me! Re: DnD - I did try to get my kids into this along with me (I never played before either), and while one of my kids seemed interested, I just felt my adult brain had trouble getting into the imaginary world in the way that a kid might. There's a level of "pretend" that I just can't find anymore.