I usually get, "Find anything good?".
Me--"Oh yeah! Check this out!" I show them stuff from my trash pocket--pulltabs and roofing nails and rusty bits 'n pieces.
And if they ask about the other pocket? Well, that's just for any paper trash I pick up.
I have a pretty good rapport with most kids. Most of them are pretty interesting people, and can often surprise you with what they'll tell you. One angelic-faced 5 year old told me, "My mom smokes cigarettes, but my dad doesn't. He only smokes pot."
I told him, "Sweetie, you probably shouldn't be telling that to people you don't know". His answer, after thinking about it? "Pot's not a bad word". Excellent point.
I'll answer their questions and even let 'em dig a pulltab signal or two.
I'd rather leave them with a positive memory of adults and metal detectors than chase them away. It's a low, low price to pay.
And if you're detecting where there are kids? Doi, what would you have done when you were a kid?
Although, at one point, it did occur to me to dress up in that scary banjo clown outfit I've seen one of the other members use. Then I realized that not everyone has the fear of clowns I do and it might just make me a bigger magnet.
One last thing. Speaking of magnets, I was telling a friend about getting a pistol to carry when I'm out in remote or isolated areas metal detecting. He told that meant I would be carrying 2 things to attract the bad guys to me--the detector and the gun.
Again, excellent point.