I've heard that Chameleons are actually quite difficult to keep. They require very large specialized cages; either because of ventilation or because they don't deal well with glass walls, which makes it all the more difficult to keep the humidity and temperature gradient up. They need moving water such as from a drip system, as they won't drink out of a dish. Their food needs a lot of vitamin supplementation. They also stress very easily and shouldn't be handled much if any.

I would say they are not for the novice herper, and definitely not a child's first herp.