diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 96a9d0b5..f5e1639f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -113,6 +113,12 @@ Although Phaser 1.0 is a brand new release it is born from years of experience b
 
 ![Phaser Particles](http://www.photonstorm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/phaser_particles.png)
 
+Change Log
+----------
+
+* Added checks into every Group function to ensure that the Group has children before running them.
+* Added optional flag to Group.create which allows you to set the default exists state of the Sprites.
+
 Known Issues
 ------------
 
diff --git a/src/core/Group.js b/src/core/Group.js
index e54dae95..4bc478ce 100644
--- a/src/core/Group.js
+++ b/src/core/Group.js
@@ -91,11 +91,14 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 	},
 
-	create: function (x, y, key, frame) {
+	create: function (x, y, key, frame, exists) {
+
+		if (typeof exists == 'undefined') { exists = true; }
 
 		var child = new Phaser.Sprite(this.game, x, y, key, frame);
 
 		child.group = this;
+		child.exists = exists;
 
 		if (child.events)
 		{
@@ -379,7 +382,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 		checkVisible = checkVisible || false;
 		operation = operation || 0;
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -430,7 +433,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 		var args = Array.prototype.splice.call(arguments, 2);
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -453,7 +456,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 		if (typeof checkExists == 'undefined') { checkExists = false; }
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -474,7 +477,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 	forEachAlive: function (callback, callbackContext) {
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -495,7 +498,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 	forEachDead: function (callback, callbackContext) {
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -525,7 +528,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 			state = true;
 		}
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -553,7 +556,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
     */
 	getFirstAlive: function () {
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -581,7 +584,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
     */
 	getFirstDead: function () {
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -610,7 +613,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 		var total = -1;
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -639,7 +642,7 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 		var total = -1;
 
-		if (this._container.first._iNext)
+		if (this._container.children.length > 0 && this._container.first._iNext)
 		{
 			var currentNode = this._container.first._iNext;
 				
@@ -669,6 +672,11 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
     */
 	getRandom: function (startIndex, length) {
 
+		if (this._container.children.length == 0)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+
 		startIndex = startIndex || 0;
 		length = length || this._container.children.length;
 
@@ -705,6 +713,11 @@ Phaser.Group.prototype = {
 
 	removeBetween: function (startIndex, endIndex) {
 
+		if (this._container.children.length == 0)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+
 		if (startIndex > endIndex || startIndex < 0 || endIndex > this._container.children.length)
 		{
 			return false;