My youngest two used plastic canvas and needles. They made pencil boxes for the entire family - dad first, of course, tissue holders for their rooms, etc. It satisfied the need to create without being too close to what is potentially a dangerous piece of equipment. I can guarantee my Elna couldn't tell the difference between leather and fingers. I embedded a needle in my own finger one night.
If I had a young child who truly needed to quilt, she/he would only do the planning, laying out and pinning.