I started when I was around 8, and the area I live now has a bad rep for the occassional shooting so my boy aged 5 thinks that's all guns are for. We sat down the other night watching some target shooting on youtube and had to explain they are for fun and some people use them in the wrong way. He hasn't yet touched my rifle or seen me shooting, he even thinks the rabbits stew comes from asda. It won't be long till I explain what I do and where his sunday lunch comes from. At this time he will be about 6 too, so imo 6 is a good age to start understanding what they are and what they can be used