Kids love pets and animals. Children are entranced by the creatures around us.
Animals greatly impacted our childhood, and we carry those precious memories today.
If you have an animal-obsessed kid begging for something to love, we hope one of the many creatures we post about might be the perfect fit. We are excited to share our memories and experiences with you.
Not all creatures need long-term commitments! If you aren’t sure about your kid’s level of responsibility or dislike hair and mess, not all animals have to live in your home, and some can be short-term pets.
How to Choose the Best Pet for Kids
With so many pets available and kids begging for a pet you may feel is not a good fit, what should you consider when choosing the right pet?
Coming soon: a post for tips and guidelines on making an informed decision for all ages and interests when choosing pets for kids.
our Animal love – from childhood to today
It began before we could walk. We loved nature as a family. Bugs, birds, fish – anything that moved.
Our favorite place we called “Frogville Creek.”
It wasn’t until we were adults that we learned there was an official name for this simple, seemingly unnoticed picnic area. But as kids… this place was magical.
We caught frogs and tadpoles and played in the shallow creek for hours under our parents’ watchful eyes.
Soon, we were bringing tadpoles and frog eggs home (See our experiences and how-to instructions for hatching frog and toad eggs at home—fun!).
Meet Our Friends: Ideas for Pets for Kids
Our parents (especially our mother, who isn’t a fan of creepy crawlies) endured a lot of chaos so that we could enjoy our love of animals.
From taking us camping, patiently waiting outside aquariums and pet stores, bringing us to feed geese, to visiting well-managed petting zoos, our parents loved to see how their efforts brought us so much joy.
Puppy Love: Dogs as pets for kids
Our most beloved pet was our dog, Kippie. She had the most significant impact on our lives.
We begged for five years to get a dog and cannot imagine our childhood without her.
Come meet our new puppy, Duff, as we share dog tips on choosing a family puppy, training, DIY ideas, toys, and more!
Follow Duff on Instagram!
Harry the Guinea Pig
We learned to handle him gently, feed him, clean his cage, and do our best to care for him (our parents did the heavy lifting since we were so young)
We loved this sweet little guy, and even though we were young, we remember his squeaks and wiggles.
Post on gentle guineas coming soon.
Meet Max: turtles as pets for kids
We had Max for years.
Turtles can be entertaining to watch and feed.
Here are some tips on set-up and important facts to consider before getting a turtle.
Sally and Mandy: Newts as Pets for Kids
Here are my newts. They thrived for many years. They were fun to watch and easy to keep.
Post on keeping salamanders and newts coming soon.
Hamster Haven
We had a giant, gentle golden hamster named Matee, a little spunky hamster named PJ, and a temperamental dwarf hamster named Pookie.
Hamsters are easy little pets for kids.
Post on hamsters coming soon.
Gerbil Family
Tunoco and Tonococ (we sure came up with some strange names!)
They had a few litters – these two little squirts are from the litter we had to bottle feed! That was quite the adventure.
Post on gerbils coming soon.
Bunnies!
We had a feisty black-and-white rabbit named Launchpad, who liked to nibble on toes and hair, and a friendly lopeared called Fezzie.
Post on rabbits coming soon.
Aquatic Pets for Kids
At one stage, we had five aquariums (collected from garage sales) filled with creatures, from newts to turtles to different kinds of fish.
Post on keeping fish and other aquatic pets coming soon.
Animal Experiences & Temporary pets for kids
Our mother loves this part—the experiences that did not get loose in the house! Here are just a few photos and ideas—check out “interactions” for some ideas.
Praying Mantis and Ladybug – Release
More Animal Ideas for Kids
There are many ways to interact with animals!
You can make plaster casts of animal tracks, participate in animal scavenger hunts, camp in your backyard, do birdwatching and horseback rides, volunteer, and adopt wild animals.
Anywhere, Anytime – Animals Are Everywhere!
There are many free and simple opportunities for kids to enjoy being around animals.
We visited local farms, “animal safaris,” and reptile zoos, hiked in the forest, checked our nature museums, and played with friends’ pets.
Just google your area and see what animal fun awaits your family to explore!
The Big Sis