My girls are 8 and 14 and have been sewing for quite a long time. They started by sitting on my lap and helping sew until I felt they were ready to do it on their own(and could reach the petal). Each child will be different. My 3 yr old son wants to sew so bad on his own, but he loves pressing all the buttons and don't trust him yet. I've had my girls quilting on the long arm already too.