the 410 will kill squirrels and such just fine in every tree except a redwood that's 300 feet tall.just let them practice with it.and make sure it patterns well get some 6's and shoot some squirrels.I dove hunted with a friend that had a 9year old son and a 410 a few years back and his son shot several birds that day,so the 410 will do fine,just dont spend a lot of money on it because he will outgrow it in a few years.good shooting!