My son started going with me when he was 12. (his father was deployed over seas) He really did come in handy... lol. We carried walkie talkies so we were constantly in touch, the only problem came in sneaking those bf bargains that were for him by him, but luckily he was smart enough to go on to the car once I told him I was getting in a line,as we were the only two in our group. His father will be home this year but he has already told me he still wants to go... He's wanting to do "his own" shopping this year. :)