great thread everyone and agree every kid is different. I just found it easier to keep it simple and work up from there.

my dad was a DI so I started off early and by 10, could completely field strip, clean, operate, etc etc but for my kids, I started them off with bb guns to learn proper handling, the 4 basic rules, etc. and then graduated to 22lrs and now on to ARs. Did the same for handguns going from bb to SA roughriders and now they are learning the semis. It's loads of fun and we shoot cans, water bottles, different things to keep them having fun with it. They love to compete against each other for extra 'stay up' at night. lol