Saltwater fish may be beautiful, but the maintenance required may be too much for a young tankmaster. Stick with freshwater fish, and make sure you understand the relative sociability of each fish breed you bring home from the pet store. Certain fish are docile enough around smaller cousins, but others react aggressively towards the more defenseless varieties. Ask the pet salesman to explain which fish can safely go into which tank situation. Also, make sure your child knows how to perform all the proper maintenance checks, from changing the water filter to checking the water heater temperature.
Birds are good pets for smaller apartments and cramped living quarters.
Most breeds are relatively inexpensive, unless you want a large parrot or cockatiel. These birds may be too high-maintenance for a small child, and the risk of accidental mishandling is quite high with inexperienced owners. Keep a few small birds in a well-ventilated cage, with an easily removed bottom tray and easily refilled food bowls. Small birds are extremely susceptible to communicable diseases, so keep contact with sick children to a minimum. Birds also catch colds easily, so avoid drafts or intentional puffs of air blown in their faces by curious children.