The Best Fish Tanks for Kids to Enjoy Your Own Beautiful Aquarium

If you are thinking of the most meaningful gift that you can ever give to your child who is 4 years and above in age; then the most trusted choice for this is the best fish tank for kids. Aside from the joy that an aquarium brings, this could also be one great way of teaching your kids how to nurture other living creatures; thus this would shape them to become more responsible beings.

However, prior to making the final purchasing decision, it is helpful to check out the product reviews explored in this post as well as some of the most important buying guides that need to be looked into before getting one. Also, consider your child’s personality and habits. See to it that your child is ready to have one.

Buying a children’s fish tank starter kit is an excellent option for a kid’s first pet. But there are some notable things to consider before spending money on one. So let’s look at a few to ensure you have a little context for our following reviews:

• Your Kid’s Preparedness Level: It’s never a good idea to purchase a fish tank without considering whether your kid’s ready for one. Ages four and up are often thought to be the suitable range to buy pet fish for kids.
• Freshwater or Saltwater Tank: You’ll need to decide whether a freshwater or saltwater tank is more suitable for your kid. In most cases, freshwater options will be easier to manage and less costly. But saltwater tanks are great for more experienced kids ready to take on more responsibility.
• Cost: Kid-friendly fish tanks are available at various prices. So parents would be wise to build a budget around their preferred features. In other words, don’t just settle for fancy fish tanks or nifty fish tank sets.

Continue reading the rest of this article and compare the different products tackled here so that you can come up with the most suitable option that would not only excite your child but would also teach him how to take care of fragile creatures that need love and caress. Before buying one, make sure to weigh the features, pros and cons of the fish tank you’re planning to purchase.

Top-Quality Fish Tank for Kids Reviews of 2023

1. Lightahead Artificial Fish Aquarium

This small fish tank will certainly delight little kids given it comes with a very amazing and child-friendly design. It is built with a moving picture that forms the illusion of tropical fish and water in motion. And, there are multi-colored artificial fish in it too. In short, your little one can take pleasure in a virtual ocean backdrop that is moving.

If you want to purchase children’s fish tanks that are quite straightforward to set up and maintain, then this will work like a charm for you. In reality, what sets this fish tank apart from other brands sold on the market at present are its very soothing backdrop and its capability to function as a great night light.

A couple of the sore points that you need to inspect if you buy this fish tank are the inferior roller alignment and unlike other similar options, this tends to generate irking and loud noises that may disturb both your little one and your pet fish.

2. GloFish Aquarium Kit

This fish tank is manufactured with a curved-front design that could handle a total of 5 gallons of water. Once purchased, this already includes a medium micro bag and microfilter. It is made with acrylic and a transparent cover and comes with 15 radiant blue LEDs. Many consumers prefer this mini aquarium because of its crescent-shaped seamless plastic design and construction. And, this also makes use of medium-sized filter cartridges.

Needless to say, we all want to end up buying the right fish tank that comes with superb quality. The elating news is that if you give this mini aquarium a chance to prove its worth to you, not only will you be amazed but also your little one. This ensures silent operation and the LED light bar offers the aquarium a very distinctive and appealing look too. It is no surprise why this is one of the most recommendable options that fish tank starters can look into.

Regardless, a few of the drawbacks that come with this mini fish tank are easy gets a damaged lid and the LEDs appear to stream one ray of light straight up only. Consider these negative aspects first especially if you are very particular with how LED lights function in your mini aquarium.

3. Aqueon Princess Castle Aquarium Kit

If you literally want to purchase a very small fish tank for kids, this option won’t leave you feeling disappointed. Since it is too small, your little girl won’t even sweat a bit cleaning and maintaining it. Its castle shape design will absolutely melt every young girl’s heart. As a result, this could be the top pick to give to your little daughter who loves to nurture little betta fish.

Basically, this mini fish tank is great precisely because your little one will find it quite easy and enjoyable to feed the fish through the hole on the top. And, it will be a lot easier for your toddler to learn how to clean and maintain it since it is super small to manage. Without a doubt, this is the ideal size for your toddler to take pleasure in her betta. If you want, you can also place this in your daughter’s room.

Likewise, everything comes ready to go and all you need to do is to select the betta fish that you’re going to put in it. This is a fun way of introducing to your toddler how to take care of tiny fish and help her keep herself busy whenever you need to do your household chores too.

Howbeit, this very small fish tank seems to be quite small even for a betta. It would have been better if it had been designed to be a little bigger. And, it tends to get damaged easily. Thus, it is critical to carefully inspect the product first before making the final purchase.

4. MarineLand Portrait Aquarium Kit

Searching for the best fish tank for kids can be challenging particularly if it is your first time buying one. Luckily, there are various options available on the market these days.

This fish tank comes with a filter motor that is noise-free and the required filter cartridges are not difficult to find at any local fish or pet store or online. And, it is designed with a motor that comes with 4 mini suction cup feet to ensure steadiness. In line with this, the switch plug is quite secure and it won’t leave you feeling anxious about water penetrating into the connection.

Essentially, the pump and filter caddy is beautifully concealed in the back compartment and there is just adequate space to squeeze a tiny submersible heater too. It cannot be denied that this is a top-notch rimless glass fish tank that comes with an affordable selling costs. As you can see clearly, this comes with superb visual appeal and it is certified perfect pick for first-time fish tank keepers.

Withal, a few of the glitches that you must uncover if you decide to buy this fish tank are the very big inlets for filters that could potentially cause shrimp deaths and the glass cover leaves mini crevices in the range of the rear wall and front corners that could allow tiny and shrewd critters to escape.

5. Tetra LED Half Moon Aquarium

If you are searching for aquariums for kids that are not that tedious to take care of, then this fish tank can be your top-tier match. Since it is not that big, this is a great pick for a kid who is going to look after an aquarium for the first time. This can look stunning wherever you place it and it is quite portable too. So, if you still have a tough time thinking about what ideal gift to give kids this holiday season, then this is the most suitable choice!

In addition to this, it is plain sailing to install and comes with a neat look. In point of fact, what makes it even more impressive are the cordless LED lights that call for a total of 3 AA batteries for them to illuminate the entire fish tank. This is big enough for a betta fish to roam and swim around and enjoy enough space to thrive.

However, there are plastic bumps located underneath the tank that makes it impossible to put artificial plants that have huge bases. Also, this seems to be not that durable when it comes to permanently keeping betta fish. These are a couple of the minus points that this fish tank has.

6. Tetra Waterfall Globe Aquarium Kit

Are you currently hunting down the most reliable starter fish tank for kids? If so, this product will leave you definitely amazed. There is no need for you to have second thoughts about whether this will be appreciated by your kid. With its appealing design, this will definitely be loved by everyone.

By the same token, this small aquarium is big enough that your fish can play and swim around. And, you can also put in some mini decors if you want. Even if it is the first time for your child to keep one, this won’t be troublesome to manage, clean and maintain. Take in mind that the plastic piece on the waterfall plays a very vital role if your own a betta.

Also, the filter and the light are powered by the same cord so this implies that you only have to plug into one outlet. Note that it is necessary to turn the light off while keeping the filter operating. The cord is lengthy enough to reach the outlet. Surely, this fish tank is so easy to set up even for novices.

Notwithstanding, this fish tank comes with a very strong water flow that could disturb a betta. And, the hinge on the light hood is slightly loose making it unstable. This mini aquarium will have been better if these irregularities are improved.

7. Playlearn USA Artificial Mini Fish Tank

Shopping for children’s fish tanks does not need to be so exhausting if you do your own research first. Fortunately, if you are more than willing to invest in a great alternative to a real mini aquarium, then this brand won’t dishearten you. Judging based on its adorable design and some other practical features, this is a good catch.

If you prefer a mini fish tank that can create proper circulation for the fish, then this is it. As a matter of fact, this is a perfect example of the functionality and beauty of a fish tank without the hassle. Its ocean-like background offers a very soothing feeling whenever you look at it. And, kids will love it and I would definitely encourage them to stay home most of the time.

When setting this up, filling up the tank can be done in a snap and you will only need to add two by up to four drops of dishwashing detergent and from there you could start seeing your mini fish tank come to life.

All the same, two weak points that need to be taken care of if you buy this mini fish tank are its erroneous dimensions indicated in the product description. Besides, the motor seems to be fragile as it is susceptible to getting burned out easily.

8. Tetra ColorFusion Aquarium Kit

Would you like to buy the real deal when it comes to betta fish tanks for kids? Well, it is high time to start your search for this product. This makes a perfect option for anyone looking for a tiny aquarium and a present that you can give to a little kid. Children will love this stuff because it can guarantee color altering bubble effect.

To boot, while this fish tank is small, it can still provide sufficient enough space for your betta to have more space to play, roam around and swim. And, since it was designed to be tall rather than wide, it makes a tight footprint while offering adequate inner space for your pet fish and you can have a clearer view of him.

However, please note that this aquarium is too small that it can only shelter a single betta and a maximum of 3 guppies. And, this does not come complete which implies that you need to buy other necessities in setting up a fish tank.

9. Koller Products AquaView Fish Tank

Do you prefer buying cool fish tanks for kids? Then, this mini aquarium can satisfy even the pickiest child. It comes with a total of seven vibrant color selections that are especially intended to illuminate your pet fish superbly. Indeed, this is great value for money in that it does not consume excessive energy.

This fish tank is reliable and durable and it can ensure leak-proof assurance. Unlike glass tanks, since this is not prone to instant damage, it won’t put you in a situation where you will constantly worry about leak problems in your aquarium. It is smooth sailing to set up and it does not call for high maintenance.

You can position this fish tank anywhere you prefer. It needs three triple A batteries which you need to buy separately. Meanwhile, the power adapter allows light to be easily plugged into the household electrical outlets.

On the other hand, a few of the minor gripes that you need to uncover about this fish tank are the separately sold cord that you use to plug it; as you know, this means an additional cost for you to consider. And, the pump seems to be made with cheap quality material that makes it incapable of lasting long.

What to Look for When Buying a Fish Tank for Kids

Picking the right fish tank for kids is challenging because you don’t simply buy just anything that you can see in a local fish or pet store or online shopping sites, as a matter of fact, there are must-considered factors that need to be taken into account:

Is your kid ready and old enough to manage a mini fish tank? In general, 4 years and below are not yet advised to get involved in aquarium hobby since they are not yet fully prepared enough to manage one.

Think about the location where you intend to place the fish tank. Is there enough space for it? What about electrical outlets? Where to plug it in? Do you have a durable and stable base where to put it?

What materials do you prefer? Acrylic or glass-made fish tank? For you to easily decide on this aspect, consider weighing the pros and cons first. Pick the one that suits your little one the best.

Do you plan to add a few decorations inside your mini aquarium? Luckily, decorating a fish tank for children does not necessarily need to be humdrum, it is fun to help little kids select decors that will be in the top-tier interest of the pet fish but are still what they prefer.

Do you prefer saltwater or freshwater? Freshwater is a lot easier to manage and is less costly; however, saltwater is fine too so long as your child is old enough, skilled enough to manage the aquarium and if you have the budget to go for it. You need to consider the two options carefully so you won’t have regrets in the end.

Shape and size of the tank. Can your little one handle a smaller or larger one? Will it fit the space where you plan to put it? Which is a lot easier to set up, clean and maintain?

What type of fish do you plan to keep? How many?

Other Important Factors to Consider

What is a fish tank for kids? How does it work?

Fish tanks for kids are mini aquariums that are particularly designed for toddlers and little children. And, since these are meant to be used for young kids, these are precisely designed to be harmless, less stressful to set up and maintain, not too demanding and not that expensive to invest in. this is perhaps one of the reasons why many people consider mini fish tanks as ideal gifts to give to little kids who are into fish keeping.

Essentially, just like regular aquariums, fish tanks for kids also require pumps, proper filtration, heaters, lighting, currents, pH balance, oxygenation, the right type of fish, regular cleaning, salt concentration and other required aquarium accessories for them to work and function. Once all these are properly installed, they could contribute to superb performance and the extended lifespan of your fish tank inhabitants.

What are the different types of kid fish tanks?

There are a number of different types of fish tanks for kids. Besides, these come in different shapes, sizes and price ranges. There are those that are primarily designed for saltwater or freshwater reef. And, since these are kid-friendly, they are generally safe to use and are meant to entertain and educate.

Freshwater fish tanks are quite easy to set up, and there are countless of fish that come from distinct forms of water that adapt to the water during changes. Such types of aquariums do not necessarily call for high maintenance and these are often times less pricey as compared to saltwater fish tanks for kids.

Apart from these, there is also fish tanks for children that come complete and are highly perceived as one of the most recommended aquarium kits for beginners. These are user-friendly and not a pain in the neck to install, clean and maintain.

Why do you need an aquarium for kids?

Fish tanks are actually beneficial for everyone. These are virtually known as stress-busters since they can help calm down a person or a little one who is feeling anxious or upset. Needless to say, sitting in front of the aquarium with someone to chat about what they see, could commonly reduce anxiety or tension and this could serve as an effective distraction if your kid is having tantrums, is not in good mood and needs to relax at once.

Having a fish tank can definitely work wonders for children. With adult supervision, your mini aquarium could become a very beneficial and fun-filled educational game that could also strengthen your bond with your little one. Hence, aside from being visually appealing, aquariums come with lots of perks too.

Why allowing your kids to have a mini aquarium at home advantageous?

1. Looking after an aquarium can provide children with useful knowledge and this would create meaningful memories while you spend time with them and explore the wonders of a fish tank.
2. Letting children handle a mini fish tank on their own can better improve their cognitive skills, broaden their imagination as well as considerably enhance their emotional and social skills.
3. For a fact, by merely observing fish in an aquarium, can immensely help soothe a kid suffering from ADHD since it comes with a calming effect. It is worth noting that such effects help children with ADHD to have more focus and improved sleep.
4. By and large, these greatly assist hyperactive kids in performing more excellently in school. In other words, this has been tested and proven to be an effective therapy in dealing with hyperactive kids.
5. Rather than allowing your little ones to spend most of their time using gadgets, introducing them to aquarium hobbies could effectively distract them from being addicted to online games, surfing the net and staying immobile due to nonstop playing until the wee hours with different video games.
6. When you teach your kids the value of nurturing living creatures at a very early age, they will most likely grow up as responsible, caring and loving human beings. They will learn more about the value of life and the environment we live in. And, this could also encourage them to become better stewards of God’s creatures.

As you can see, taking care of a mini fish tank for children is not solely for the sake of a hobby. This could also be very educational and have a beneficial impact on the cognitive, emotional and social development of a child particularly those who are quite hyperactive.

In today’s modern world, the majority of children worldwide are glued to playing games and surfing the net. Evidently, all these gradually take your children away. They become aloof because they choose to stay home and play games, they have less time to play with other kids, they are too busy to consider bonding time with you and they are distracted with their studies.

Encouraging children to look after a fish tank for beginners help them have something to make them preoccupied and forget their gadgets. It is crucial to assist them but allow them to do it by themselves. This will teach them the value of responsibility and independence.

Fundamentally, keeping an aquarium can help children value nature more and broaden they knowledge not only about fish but many things that truly matters in life. Fish tanks are not merely hobbies but something that will open your eyes and widen your horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest fish for kids to take care of?

Every fish will come with a unique set of needs and maintenance levels. But generally, most people consider goldfish, betta fish, mollies, and guppies among the easiest.

In particular, goldfish have a reputation as being pretty simple options for kids. However, it’s vital to realize that goldfish thrive better with a companion. So parents who only want a single fish for their kids’ cute fish tanks would be better off choosing a betta fish. These fish are territorial by nature, so they generally prefer being alone.

But in any case, all these fish would be excellent first pets for kindergarten classes. It’s just a matter of deciding which one best suits your particular needs.

What size tank do you need for a child?

My recommended size for your kid’s fish tank would be between 1 and 5 gallons. I’d often suggest sticking to the larger side of this range as they’re less susceptible to change. So it reduces the number of potential issues inside these enclosures.

However, it becomes moot if you buy an all-in-one cheap fish tank with filters. These options may seem like convenient, cool fish tank ideas, but they’ll be a massive hassle. After all, the equipment included will likely consist of low-quality materials that’ll break down quickly.

A parent is much better off choosing a tank made with high-quality components. For instance, GloFish Aquarium Kit would be a perfect match. This small fish tank with light features, namely 15 blue LEDs, offers a fun and stylish appearance.

If a parent’s looking for a smaller option, check the Tetra 1.8 Gallon Waterfall Globe Aquarium Kit. This oval aquarium offers an effortless setup while providing excellent performance. I only wish the pet store near me had one, so I could get this tank for my nephew’s upcoming birthday.

Are fish good pets for toddlers?

Fish are probably the most suitable pet for a toddler, but I wouldn’t recommend them. Given the agreed-upon age range for fish, ownership is four years and up; they fall slightly short (toddlers are between 1 and 3 years old).

But if you’re dead set on buying pets for 2-year-old children, fish is the obvious choice. The fish will be fine if it’s fed routinely without any mishaps. But it’s not a given, considering how often toddlers lose interest in activities.

Are glofish easy to care of?

GloFish aren’t any more difficult to care for than their non-glowing counterparts. So if you have a GloFish betta fish, it’ll have the exact requirements as a regular betta fish. The only difference is these glowing creatures offer a much brighter and more fun aesthetic to your aquarium.

I must also note that GloFish developers purposely use more hardy species. Therefore, they often become easier to keep alive than most other fish, making them an excellent choice in fish tanks for beginners.

What are the most trusted kid fish tank brands?

If you are planning to purchase a real deal, it is quite imperative to buy only from trustworthy manufacturers. And, a few of the most credible, reliable and most sought brands in the field of fish tanks that you can check out consist of:

• Aqueon
• Playlearn USA
• MarineLand
• Tetra

These brands are known around the world and are a few of the most reputable fish tank manufacturers that newbies and professional aquarists and aquarium hobbyists trust and patronize. The reason behind this is that they are some of the world’s producers of top-quality products that never fail to amaze and satisfy the needs and preferences of their most valued consumers globally.

Artificial vs Real Fish Rank: Which one is better?

If you’re going to compare between an artificial and a real fish tank for kids, of course, the real one is more recommendable. However, artificial fish tanks do not mean that they are not good purchases, for fact, these are useful for kids below 3 years old in age when you are preparing them to handle a real aquarium as they get a little older.

Both types come with pros and cons. But what truly matters are they are safe to use by children and that they can make children happy and learn from it at the same time.

How to care & clean?

When cleaning and maintaining fish tanks for children, you can take the following guides below:

• Feeding your pet fish should only be roughly twice or thrice per day. This is enough to keep them well-nourished.
• When cleaning the aquarium, this must be done at least once or twice a week. All you need to do is to change some of the tank water, approximately 25%, and then put in some new and clean water.
• After that, tidy up the filter or if necessary, replace the cartridges. In case you have a literally filthy fish, you may consider using gravel vacuum to tidy the filth out of the gravel.
• When it comes to changing water, as previously mentioned, consider changing approximately ¼ of the old tank water at least once a week.

If you want to keep your pet fish and aquatic plants in good condition, make sure that the tank water is kept clean all the time, you adhere to the recommended number of feeding times, provide sufficient amount of sunlight that fish needs and see to it that the filter is functioning at its best.

Fortunately, mini aquariums for kids are less demanding to manage and only require low maintenance. You can assist your kids at first but be sure to let them do it on their own.

What is the warranty?

Since almost all the fish tanks reviewed in this article are manufactured by world-class brands, these are all supported by different warranty offers. Some of them offer a money-back guarantee, replacement of defective items or components, and some warranties come in limited or lifetime offers as well. This is to protect the investments of their most valued customers.

In the same way, you can read more about the warranty details in the product description. Nonetheless, if the warranty was not comprehensively discussed in this section, consider referring to the manufacturer’s customer support service. This can be done through chat support services, email or phone calls.

Where to buy?

You can shop for fish tanks that are designed for kids in nearby local fish or pet stores in your region. These are available in different designs, kinds and sizes. Many of them are also made from different brands. Shopping locally though may only offer you limited brands to check out.

Be that as it may, if you would like to browse countless of options and special freebies, discounts and promos, you may do so by visiting reputable online shopping sites like Amazon. This is one of the top-tier online shopping sites where you can be offered with numerous product options to browse where the world’s leading brands are also found.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting your children involved in fish tank keeping comes with lots of perks. Even so, it is crucial to ensure that no matter how small or big an aquarium is, it must be properly set up right from the beginning to delight your kids surely. As previously mentioned, with appropriate planning, you could significantly assist your kids in starting a lifetime involvement in one of the most meaningful and enchanting hobbies in the whole world.

Fundamentally, it is important to ensure that your child is well-prepared to take care of his new pet and you must guide him as he manages all the work of keeping an aquarium. This way, he can master the whole process on his own in no time. Hence, if you are shopping for the best fish tank for kids, it is highly recommended to check out the products reviewed above; in so doing, you can be assured that your child will be genuinely happy in his new hobby.