My grandaughter is 9 years and likes to sew along with me. I usually use my Juki for piecing so I let her start on my Janome 6600. First I taught her what all the buttons are for and how to operate the machine. She picked up on it very fast. She likes to do her own designing rather than a pattern. She has made purses, pillows, little blankets and other small things. Kids seem to pick up the electronics so fast what with using computers and all. I do have to watch that she doesn't get into my good fabric, for now. I like to see her be creative about her choices of what to make. I wish more kids had the chance to learn to sew/quilt for it is so rewarding and keeps them from bad things.