Heavy Duty Dog Crate

Not all children are good with animals at younger ages. Not all animals are good with small children. Getting an eight-year-old a horse might be fun and cute, but do not expect little Sally to muck out the stables. Luckily for parents, there are a few pets that are easy for younger kids, and different animals that are more exciting for older children. This is a potentially endless list, so here are a few starting points.

Fish are fun pets that can be either easy to take care of extraordinarily complicated. It doesn’t get much simpler than a goldfish bowl. On the same note, few things are as complicated as the care and chemical balancing of a 100 gallon reef tank.

A cat is a good pet for almost all ages. All they need is a litter box, food, water and affection. For younger children, an outdoor cat is best, as they are less likely to chase it down and try to give it a bath, for example.

Dogs are the all-American standby. There are dogs for every age, cost and house. Just make sure to have a heavy duty dog crate. Do a little research, as some breeds are better with children, while some breeds are better at keeping potential kidnappers away from children. Proper training is imperative, as dogs bite significantly harder than infants.

Tennis balls are the sort of things that are used just about everywhere. After old slippers and sticks, they are probably the greatest dog toys in the world. They bounce, so they go farther when thrown. They float, so dogs can chase them in the water. They are brightly-hued, so they are easier to spot in bushes. Best of all? They are really cheap, so if a dog chews through one just get another.

Oddly enough, kids love tennis balls just as much. Kids love them because they don’t hurt too bad when thrown. They float, bounce, and are easily carried. Kids love them for pretty much every reason dogs do, but kids chew on tennis balls significantly less.

Now put the two together. Have a hyperactive dog? Got a baseball trainer toy and a spare kid lying around? Put them in the backyard for a few hours. The kid will throw the ball, the dog will retrieve the ball. Repeat until the dog is tired. Have a hyperactive kid? Also have a dog and a tennis ball? Let them tire each other out. Exercise, cheap fun and blissful quiet in the house? Sold.