6 Best Reptile Pets for Kids

Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos are very popular with kids and adults for several reasons. They come in a variety of colors, are easy to handle, and are not aggressive. They also have fairly simple habitat requirements, are clean, and can live up to 20 years as pets.

Leopard geckos don't need complex habitats, do not require UVB lighting, and eat small insects. They are fun for children to feed and their enclosures can be spot-cleaned by kids in between full cleanings. Leopard geckos are also terrestrial lizards, so they spend a lot of time in their burrows inside their habitats and are easy to find.

Bearded Dragons

Larger than a leopard gecko, a bearded dragon will require a little more space and lighting but it is just as docile. Bearded dragons are easy to handle and hardier than leopard geckos, but they also require fresh veggies on a daily basis. This will put your child to work cutting up dark, leafy greens each day. Otherwise, if your habitat is set up correctly with the proper heat and lighting, they are easy to maintain.

Corn Snakes

If your child isn't a lizard fan, then consider a corn snake. This slithering option is docile, easy to handle, comes in a few color options, is quiet and clean, and doesn't even require much in the way of daily attention, feeding, or even lighting. Corn snakes need secure housing to prevent them from escaping, but similar to a leopard gecko, a heat light is really the only other special thing this reptile needs. Adult corn snakes only need to be fed once a week or so, but you and your child will need to be comfortable feeding your pet pre-killed mice that are stored in the freezer.

Blue-Tongued Skink

One of the best lizards for kids is the blue-tongued skink. It is just as docile, easy to handle, and low-maintenance as the other lizards on this list. Blue-tongued skinks are not aggressive but because they are larger, if a small child accidentally gets bit, it will hurt. Older children may appreciate the larger size of a blue-tongued skink and will enjoy preparing their fresh fruits, vegetables, and insects each day. Like a bearded dragon, with a larger size comes a larger enclosure, and these skinks also require proper heat and lighting.

Ball Pythons

Another great snake option for kids is the ball python. Just note that this snake will also need to be fed pre-killed mice. Also, a ball python is thicker than a corn snake, and it may be too heavy for small children to pick up without assistance.

Ball pythons can live for several decades, so if you don't want to get stuck caring for this snake once your child leaves home, that's something to consider. If, however, you're looking for a long-lived, docile pet reptile, these pythons are a great option.

Russian Tortoises

Not every kid is into caring for a slithery reptile, so a tortoise might be more their style. Russian tortoises are extremely docile, slow-moving, and quiet, and they live a long time. They do require proper heat and lighting as well as fresh veggies daily, but their size and demeanor are perfect for kids. Plus, they are very hardy so for kids who might still be learning to handle pets gently, Russian tortoises could be a good fit. They also come with their own built-in helmets.