So I've just started playing minecraft with my 5yr old, and I had done some research beforehand. All of which told me that if we play in creative mode then there would not be zombies etc.
However, we're playing in creative mode and there are zombies, and creepers and skeletons.
Why?
And is there a way to play "nicely" / without scary things for the little ones?
Go to your difficulty menu then coose 'Peacefull'.
All monsters will be taken off the map and you will be able to play on your world without any creepers destroying your buildings.
But there will be night time.
In addition to what Chief already said -
To answer your first question
The game automatically creates Mobs (skeletons and whatnot) when the difficulty is higher than Peaceful. However, while you are in creative mode, the Mobs won't attack the players even after they are attacked. When certain Mobs are attacked, would chase the player and act like they are in survival for a few seconds until returning to their neutral state. As long as you don't attack a creeper (whom would move slowly until returning neutral) You and your kiddo will be fine.
And as of your second request
You can set the difficulty on Peaceful or you can use the command (type it in everything as stated - spaces, backslashes, and the capital letters the SAME EXACT way it is typed! If you don't, it won't work!) /gamerule doMobSpawning false
Hope this helps,
Elderscrollsfan
Thank you both xx