Is there a separate set of rules for children's golf that is generally accepted? I'm interested in getting a rule book as a gift to some kids I know who are learning golf, but if one exists with adjusted rules for their age group I'd go for that over an official rule book.

I think it's generally accepted that kids should follow the "regular" rules. It's probably to just summarize the key points for kids (course etiquitte, penalties, etc).
There are simplified rules books which are illustrated to demonstrate the most common situations, that may make more sense to a kid.
This is a good web site: http://www.juniorlinks.com/index.cfm

Yeah, as Bill and McFade have made clear, there's only one set of rules for the game of GOLF.

Thanks for the site, Aimee I know that you've got to follow golf rules for it to be golf, lol, which is why I wondered about an official book for "kids golf," that the kids can graduate from as they get older. I will look for illustrated ones, though, so thanks again!

thanks Aimee
for the link

At our county course they give group lessons to kids. I usually hear him on the practice putting green before my round. The instructor talks to them about being respectful of other people and of the golf course. He specifically chastises them if they run on the putting green and tells them not to drag their feet or they might damage the green. He explains about being courteous when other people are putting. He keeps it simple for them, since they are just learning about the game.

Summer, When my wife and I got started playing golf, she picked up a small book titled I KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT GOLF, by Steve Eubanks and Whitney Crouse. It's a simple guide to the new golfer, and a fun read. Should be fun for a new young golfer to read and learn from. If your local liberary has it, I'd think it would be well worth while to get.

Another idea. Why not just go to the USGA site, and look up the rules. Then highlight a few simple rulss and ediquitte things, and save them to a WORD fild. Then you can edit the file to suit your needs, and print out a small rules book for all the kids. If you put everything in YOUR OWN WORDS, you shouldn't have any leagal issues to deal with, and everyone will be ahead of the game.