Simply put... don't force the issue. My daughter went out for the first time this year (she's 6) and she had fun climbing the stand, but she woulda had a TON more fun if I had a blind to take her in so she could read, or play or eat or whatever. Blinds are EXCELLENT tools to start kids hunting young, or even observing young. My nephew went out this year, he's 3, and he ended up falling asleep in a blind, it doesn't limit their ability to move and if they are afraid of heights that solves that lickety split. JUST DON"T FORCE IT! Remember it's okay if they don't turn out just like you, they are individual people with individual fears, wants, desires, etc... and 12 feet in the air feels like 30 feet in the air to someone who isn't so big....