🐾 10 Great Starter Pets for Kids & 5 Pets That Seem Easy... but Aren't

Fun, Low-Maintenance Animals That Teach Responsibility Without Overwhelming the Family

Choosing your child’s first pet is an exciting milestone, but it can also be confusing. Many animals that are marketed as “easy starter pets” (like goldfish or hamsters) actually have complex care needs that can surprise first-time families.

In this guide, we’re sharing 10 pets that truly are beginner-friendly. These animals are low-maintenance, fun to care for, and great for helping kids build empathy, confidence, and a sense of responsibility.

We’ll also help you match each pet to your child’s unique personality — whether they’re curious and hands-on, science-minded, or more comfortable with observation.

Let’s find the perfect first companion for your animal-loving kid 🐾

🐀 1. Rats

Rats are incredibly social, smart, and gentle, and they actually enjoy hanging out with humans. They rarely bite, love enrichment, and can even learn tricks or come when called.

Best for: Curious, social kids who want an interactive pet and love to teach tricks or build obstacle courses.

Pros: 

✔ Friendly, intelligent, and easy to handle 

✔ Can be trained 

✔ Do best in pairs 

✔ Live 2–3 years

Cons: 

– Need mental stimulation and a variety of toys 

– Must be housed with another rat for social needs 

– May require effort to find an exotic vet

🐹 2. Guinea Pigs

These chatty, sweet rodents are great for gentle hands and daytime play. They’re larger than hamsters, rarely bite, and form strong bonds with their humans.

Best for: Gentle kids who enjoy cuddling and talking to their pets during the day.

Pros: 

✔ Social and interactive 

✔ Gentle, handleable, and fun to watch 

✔ Live 4–8 years

Cons: 

– Need a roomy cage (7.5 sq ft minimum for a pair) 

– Must be kept in pairs for wellbeing 

– Produce a lot of poop, daily cleaning is a must 

– Not always easy to find a guinea pig-savvy vet

🪳 3. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

These surprisingly lovable bugs are clean, quiet, and easy to care for. They don't bite or sting, and many kids enjoy handling them.

Best for: Adventurous or bug-loving kids who enjoy unusual, hands-on pets.

Pros: 

✔ Very low-maintenance 

✔ Safe to handle 

✔ Live 2–5 years

Cons: 

– Require a tightly sealed enclosure (they’re escape artists!) 

– Some people may need time to warm up to the idea

🐍 4. Corn Snakes

Calm, curious, and beautiful, corn snakes are one of the most beginner-friendly reptiles. They tolerate gentle handling and don’t require daily feeding.

Best for: Confident, calm kids who are fascinated by reptiles and willing to learn basic habitat care.

Pros: 

✔ Easy to care for with the right setup 

✔ Docile and good for confident kids 

✔ Feed once a week 

✔ Live 15–20+ years

Cons: 

– Need a secure 20–40 gallon tank 

– Long lifespan requires long-term commitment

🐜 5. Ant Farms

No mess, no handling, and full of fascinating behavior, ant farms are perfect for kids who love science or observation-based learning.

Best for: Independent, science-curious kids who enjoy watching how things work.

Pros: 

✔ Easy to set up with kits 

✔ Fun to observe colony dynamics 

✔ Educational and safe

Cons: 

– Occasional escapes if the setup isn’t secure 

– Short colony lifespan; no physical interaction

🐜 6. Giant African Millipedes

These gentle giants are fascinating to watch and surprisingly sweet. They move slowly and enjoy crawling on hands (supervised, of course).

Best for: Kids who love insects or nature and are gentle with delicate creatures.

Pros: 

✔ Harmless and interesting to handle 

✔ Simple diet: fruits, veggies, leaf litter 

✔ Live 5–10 years

Cons: 

– Can secrete a mild fluid that irritates sensitive skin 

– Fragile, easily injured if dropped 

– Should be ethically sourced and captive-bred

🐠 7. Sea Monkeys (Brine Shrimp)

These tiny, quirky creatures are fun to hatch and watch, a great introduction to aquatic life and life cycles.

Best for: Young kids or first-timers who want a fun project with minimal responsibility.

Pros: 

✔ Super simple setup 

✔ Great for observation 

✔ Teaches responsibility and consistency

Cons: 

– Not interactive 

– Water conditions can be surprisingly sensitive

🦎 8. Leopard Geckos

These friendly reptiles are calm, handleable, and live well in simple habitats. A great reptile for kids who want a hands-on experience.

Best for: Kids who want a pet they can gently handle and observe at their own pace.

Pros: 

✔ Nocturnal but can adapt to handling 

✔ No need for UVB lighting 

✔ Live 10–20 years

Cons: 

– Can be startled or injured by rough handling 

– Not always active during the day

🦗 9. Crickets or Feeder Insects as Pets

These often-overlooked creatures can be fascinating to keep. Kids can learn about care routines, insect life cycles, and daily maintenance.

Best for: Insect-loving kids who enjoy observation and routine tasks.

Pros: 

✔ Easy to feed and clean 

✔ Fun to observe 

✔ Educational and low-cost

Cons: 

– Can chirp loudly (especially males) 

– May eat each other if overcrowded or underfed 

– Escape risks if enclosure isn’t secure

🐁 10. Fancy Mice

Mice are fast, curious, and fun to watch. With gentle handling and proper socialization, they can become very tame and interactive.

Best for: Kids who enjoy watching busy animals and are ready for daily care tasks.

Pros: 

✔ Small and active 

✔ Can be handled with patience 

✔ Do best in same-sex pairs

Cons: 

– Need lots of enrichment and frequent cleaning 

– Live only 1–2 years 

– Can be smelly without daily maintenance

⚠️ Pets That Seem Easy… But Aren’t

These pets are often sold as beginner-friendly, but their care needs are more advanced than advertised:

🐢 Turtles

• Require large tanks, UV lighting, and strict hygiene

• 10 gallons of tank space per inch of the turtle's shell length (4in turtle = 40 gallong tank)

• Can carry salmonella

• Often live 20–40 years

🐸 Frogs

• Need precise humidity and temperature

• Can’t be handled due to sensitive or toxic skin

• Best left to experienced hobbyists

🐠 Goldfish

• Actually need 20+ gallons per fish

• Require filtration and frequent water testing

• Bowls stunt their growth and harm their health

🐹 Hamsters

• Need 4–5.5 square feet of flat space (general size cage: 40in W x 20in L x 20in H)

• Nocturnal and may bite if disturbed

• Not very social, most prefer to live alone, can frustrate kids if expecting a cuddly pet

• Can be prone to biting

🐇 Rabbits

• Need more space than people realize (they don’t belong in cages 24/7)

• Cage minimum of 24in W x 36in L x 24in H, add 12in to each for a larger rabbit

• Natural instinct to chew and dig can be destructive to furniture

• Are delicate and can be injured easily if handled improperly

• Require daily care, attention, and a specific diet

• Live 8–12 years and require a long-term commitment

🧠 Choosing the Right Pet for Your Child

Before bringing any pet home, consider: 

• Your child’s age, attention span, and maturity

• Your household’s routine and willingness to help

• Whether the pet is hands-on or observational

• Lifespan, allergies, and cost of care

• Who will take responsibility if your child loses interest

Pro Tip: Use the Every Wag App to Track Pet Care

No matter how small the pet, consistency matters. With Every Wag, families can log feedings, cleanings, and health checks, and even involve kids in daily tasks. It’s a simple way to teach responsibility while giving your pet the care it deserves.