I would always always keep your snakes locked up. Not because you have children, but because it is the responsible thing to do.

We have 2 kids on the weekends... and we have a 6ft+ red tail, 4ft ball python, 3.5ft-4ft carpet python and then a 2ft king snake...

They have learned the responsible way to hold snakes, to NEVER touch the snakes without our permission, and for us to always be present. And our snakes are locked up otherwise.

When they were just teeny there was a 11ft red tail in the house with them. Totally secured. And they got to play with it under supervision (im just a "step mom" so I wasnt around then..)

Ball Pythons by nature are timid and very docile (and much slower in movement than some other snakes), so for children to get used to snakes, in my opinion, they are perfect!

Good luck & enjoy!