Kids are fine. I have 4 and 6 yearold. My 4 yearold likes to hold and play with rats before they are givin to our animals.
Its a bitter sweet for them to play with a cute rat but they understand and accept it.
You transition it into a learning experience.
The younger they get exposed they understand better.
Kids are better about it than adults
if you cant accept it or have worries, start off with feeding insects to animals.