The "issue" with my kids (9 and 4 now) was they were really interested in the animals (rats, snakes, fish, etc.). This caused them to bang on the tanks, open the tubs, poke fingers in cages, etc.


What I ended up doing after the 1000's time telling them to stop messing with the animals was to just give up and let the kids "play" with them. So my 4 yr old is now my official snake and rat cleaning helper. He holds all the snakes while their tubs get cleaned, plays with the rats (loves the pinkies) while I clean their tanks. Helps me clean and service the tank. I basically make him help...he enjoys it but after we are done he wants nothing to do with them.

Solved 2 issues - him messing when I wasn't around and me needing an extra pair of hands...he has now learned that all he has to do is ask and I will get the snakes/rats out for him to see/pet.

My daughter has to do everything for her pet rats and she has learned what they like and don't like.

win/win in my house