Low Maintenance Pets You Should Be Buying For Your Kids

Sea-Monkeys are the ideal first pet for a kid because they require almost no work. They're a type of brine shrimp that comes to life when the eggs are put in water. They come with a kit that has everything you need to get started.

Lifespan: Up to 1 year

Maintenance: Sea-Monkeys only need to be fed once a week with the food that comes in the starter kit. You only need to spot clean the tank occasionally, which can include partial water changes but never a full water change.

Space: Sea-Monkeys come with their own tank, which is suitable for even adults. However, if you want to buy a different enclosure, a 1-gallon tank is plenty of room for them.

Commitment: Other than feeding and admiring Sea-Monkeys, there isn't much else that needs to be done. Everything you need comes in the starter kit, so they're the lowest commitment for a pet you can find.

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish, are beautiful and easy fish to care for, so they're great for a kid's first pet. However, they shouldn't be handled, so kids need to understand that they're a pet to look at only, not to touch.

Lifespan: 2 to 5 years

Maintenance: Betta fish need to be fed pellets once or twice daily. The amount you need to clean the tank depends on the tank's size, but most tanks only need a partial water change every other week.

Space: Do not keep your Betta fish in the small bowls they sometimes come in. Bettas need at least a five-gallon tank to live their best lives. Bettas should live alone because they're naturally aggressive toward other fish.

Commitment: Bettas aren't a big commitment at all. Once you have their tank set up with places for the fish to hide, you only need to take care of basic feeding and cleaning tasks. However, if kids want to interact with their fish, they can teach them some tricks.

Turtles can be great pets for older kids, as long as they're okay with having a pet to admire rather than cuddle with. There are many turtle breeds that can be kept as pets, and many of them have long lifespans. So, if you get your child a turtle, you need to remember that the turtle may still be alive when your kid is an adult.

Lifespan: 15 to 30 years

Maintenance: Young turtles will need to eat every day while older ones only need to eat every two to three days. Most turtles will need to eat a variety of plant and animal food sources, but research your turtle's specific species. Their tank will need a deep clean every two weeks or so, but you may need to spot clean between those times.

Space: It depends on the size of your turtle. Small turtles, between 4 and 6 inches long, need at least 30 gallons. Turtles that are 6 to 8 inches long should have at least 55 gallons of space. Finally, any turtles over 8 inches should have 75 to 125 gallons. If a tank is too small, their shell may not grow properly, so bigger is always better.

Commitment: Turtles require a more detailed tank setup than most pets. They'll need both land and water space to explore, and live plants are always recommended. Aside from basic needs, turtles do not need to interact much with their owners.

Even though a lot of people are squeamish around rats, they're one of the best pets a kid can have. They poop significantly less than guinea pigs and rabbits, they're trainable, and they don't live long.

Lifespan: 2 to 4 years

Maintenance: Rats need to be fed every morning and night. Their diets can include rat pellets, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Their enclosure should be cleaned about twice per week.

Space: Each rat should get a minimum of two cubic feet in their enclosure. Rats enjoy both long and tall enclosures, as long as they have plenty of space to move around.

Commitment: Rats are social animals, so you'll need to buy more than one to give them the best lives. To keep them healthy and entertained, they should spend about an hour or two outside of their enclosure each day. Like dogs and cats, kids can teach rats tricks if they're patient.

Ants may not seem like a popular pet, but they're a low-maintenance option that can offer an educational experience for kids. Kids can watch the ants to learn how an ant colony operates.

Lifespan: A few months to a few years

Maintenance: Ants eat a lot, and they're not picky. So, you can give them some food daily. Grains, sugary foods, and fruits are all options. Minimal cleaning is needed other than picking out dead ants and other dirt from the substrate.

Space: You can buy enclosures made specifically for ant farms. The sides are clear so you can see what the ants are doing inside. You can even build your own ant farm if you'd like. It should be at least 0.6 to 1.2 inches wide.

Commitment: At least 20 ants are needed to get an ant farm started, but bigger ant farms could work with 100 or more. Ants don't need to interact with their humans, so other than observing the ant behaviors, kids won't have to do much.

Rabbits have similar care requirements to guinea pigs, but they live longer and can do well living solo. They can be playful and friendly like dogs and cats without the extra care requirements. However, they need a kid who doesn't mind cleaning up after them.

Lifespan: 7 to 12 years

Maintenance: Rabbits should always have access to hay, and they should be served vegetables and feeding nuggets twice a day. A rabbit's enclosure will need to be spot-cleaned regularly, but deep cleaning only needs to occur once a week.

Space: One rabbit needs an enclosure that's at least 6 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft, but the more space, the better. They need room to hop around freely.

Commitment: If your rabbit's enclosure is on the small side, you should give them time each day to run around outside their hutch to get their exercise in. They love playing games with their humans, and rabbit toys can keep them entertained.