The Best Fish Tank for Kids in 2022

Are your kids bugging you about getting their fish tank for their room? Depending on how old your children are, you can give them a smaller version of the one you are keeping in the living room.

If they like keeping fish and are quite disciplined, you can give them a bigger tank and a nicer setup. However, since you are reading this article, it is safe to assume you are looking for the best fish tank for kids.

Kids can learn quite a lot by keeping fish, so it can be a good idea to get them children fish tanks to play around with. This article will teach you how to choose the right fish tanks for kids’ rooms. You will learn everything, including how to pick the size, the materials, and suitable accessories.

You will also be getting a couple of product recommendations so you have an easier starting point.

Best Fish Tank for Kid Reviews

1. Koller Products AquaView 360 Aquarium

The thing that I liked the most about this product is that instead of glass, the tank mainly uses acrylic for its construction. This is the reason why I am confident to set this up in my kid’s room. He is not destructive at all but knowing that this tank will not shatter if my son accidentally hits it is a good thing.

Another thing I liked about this product is that it is already a complete set. The tank already came with a cover, which has a built-in water filter/pump and programmable LED lights. I enjoy buying separate components for my fish tank, but I find that this set is better for my young son. I just needed to buy the things to put inside the tank.

Speaking of the built-in water filter, it worked well for the small tank. The water pump is strong enough to move the water properly. The filter uses Tetra filter cartridges that are easy to find and quite cheap. Even though the tank can only fit a few small fish, it is nice that the filter can keep the toxin levels down consistently.

This is also the perfect shape and size for a kid’s room. The tank itself is just a tad over ten inches in radius and it has a cylindrical shape. You will see that it is quite easy to find a suitable spot in any room to place this tank. Also, because of its cylindrical shape, you will get awesome viewing angles regardless of where you are standing.

The only issue that I have is the size. This tank is 2.5 gallons max, which means it can only accommodate very small fish. A betta might be able to survive in a 2.5-gallon tank but it won’t be happy. At the most, you probably can keep maybe 2 or 3 tetras in a tank this size, maybe even 5 if they are small enough.

2. Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Kit

If your kid’s room is like mine, then you do not have that much room to place anything too large and bulky. If your son or daughter keeps begging you for an aquarium for their room, this 2.5-gallon kit should suffice. The base is roughly a foot wide and half a foot deep, so finding space for it will not be that hard.

Another nice thing about this tank is that it already comes with everything that you will ever need. Aside from the tank itself, it also comes with a small but efficient water pump and filter. There is also a small LED lamp. All these features are already built into the sleek cover.

Aside from the hardware, this set also comes with a starter pack of Aqueon products. Of course, the tank comes with a filter pad but it also has a pack of Aqueon water conditioners and a small packet of tropical flakes. This means you do not have to buy anything else to get the tank started. Even the fish food can last for at least a week.

Another reason why this is one of the best kid-friendly fish tanks is that it utilizes acrylic for its build. Unlike glass, acrylic will not shatter into a million pieces if you accidentally hit it with a hard object. No matter how careful you think your kid is with their stuff, accidents do happen.

Do keep in mind that this is a beginner/kid-size aquarium, which will severely limit the kinds of fish that you can place in it. Because the tank is just 2.5 gallons, the only fish that you can keep in them are limited to those that do not grow more than two inches long. In addition, you can only keep two or three fish at a time.

3. GloFish Aquarium Kit

This aquarium is the perfect size for a kid’s room. The base is just 8.5” x 8.5”. It is small enough to fit on top of most kids’ cabinet drawers. You can also mount it on the wall using a pair of shelf brackets. You can easily find space anywhere for this compact aquarium in any space.

This aquarium kit already comes with all the accessories that you will need and it includes the Tetra Whisper filter system. I like this filter and I also use a similar one in my other tanks. This filter is so quiet that it will not disturb your kids while they are sleeping and yet it efficiently keeps the water clean and clear.

Aside from a filter, this kit also comes with a compact yet bright LED light system. This features 8 bright LED lamps and it has a blue light setting to make the fish and the décor glow in the dark.

With that said, you can best use it on certain breeds of bettas, neon tetras, and some other small fishes. When you turn off the lights in the room and turn on the blue light in the tank, the fish will light up.

Another nice thing about this tank that makes it the best for kids’ rooms is that it is acrylic. It does not matter if you are confident that your kids will not be throwing heavy toys at the fish.

Accidents happen and when they do, it is best to have an acrylic aquarium instead of one made of glass.

I have been happy overall with my experience so far but I do wish that the see-through cover was a bit sturdier. The clear cover looks great but it is so flimsy that the weight of the light alone is enough to make the cover bend.

I would have loved for the cover to be black but a bit more rigid than this one. It would have made the blue light effect even better in my opinion.

4. Tetra Aquarium Fish Tank Kit

This might be too big for young children but it is just the right size for the older kids so you can teach them about responsibility. The tank uses scratch-resistant glass and it can also handle a bit of impact. Also, unlike acrylic, it is easier to maintain the clarity of this kind of tank.

You will be getting almost all the things that you will need to get started. This kit contains a 20-gallon tank, a water pump/filter system, a tank lid, LED lights, and even a couple of pieces of decorations. The only other things that you will need to put in the tank are the fish and substrate material.

Speaking of the filtration system, this kit comes with a highly-efficient Tetra Whisper filter system. This is a seemingly simple filter that has two filtering methods. First, the water comes mechanically filtered as it makes the water pass through a fine mesh filter pad.

In addition, aside from removing the solid particles, the filter pad also contains activated carbon to filter out the chemical impurities.

Unlike the other fish tanks for toddlers, this might be a bit too big for toddlers and pre-school kids, but elementary school-age kids will love this. This tank has a 20-gallon capacity, which is more than enough for a small school of tetras, or a goldfish or two.

If you are getting this tank for kids, they would probably not mind the cheesy artificial plant decorations that came with it. I would just throw the plastic plants into a drawer and forget about it forever. They look so fake. The other included accessories are fine, not overly great, but you could work with them for low-maintenance fish and plants.

5. FREESEA Betta Aquarium Fish Tank

This fish tank may not be big enough for experienced fish enthusiasts, aside maybe from those who primarily keep bettas. However, this is a good size for fish tanks for children’s bedrooms. The base is just 7.8” wide by 5.5” deep, so finding space for it in your kid’s room will not be that difficult.

An interesting feature of a tank this size is the sump at the back. Although a tank this small can benefit from a small HOB filter, FREESEA went above and beyond by giving it a makeshift sump. The set already comes with a biofilter sponge but there is still a bit more room for bio balls if you wish to use them.

Here is another nice feature. You can power the water pump via USB. This means you can use a power bank to keep the filter running when there is a power outage in your area. Also, this means that the filter pump does not use that much power to operate.

Speaking of the sump, a neat feature of it is that you can remove the divider to give your fish more swimming room. In case you want to replace the filter with a HOB, you can remove the plastic divider to give your fish more space.

This is what I did to the tank in my kid’s room and I only needed to make a few minor tweaks to the cover to make it work.

I did have a bit of a problem with the included filter pump, though. It was a bit too strong for the small fish in the tank. However, it was easy to fix. I just added a bit of mesh on the outlet hole to suppress the water flow enough. It would have been better if there was a way to control the pump manually.

6. PENN-PLAX Rite-Bite Educational Betta Tank

This is a complete toddler fish tank toy but it is not technically a toy. It is a true aquarium meant for keeping a betta fish. What is pleasantly surprising about this is that it is an adequately-sized tank. It also comes with a waste-absorbing gravel substrate.

Compared to the tanks that I used when I first started keeping betta fish, the one that came in this kit is impressive. The tank itself can contain more than a gallon of water. It comes with a cover. There is also a pre-measured feeding spoon and a light on the lid.

Another neat feature on the lid is the labeled daily feeding reminder. This is kind of like the pillboxes labeled with the day of the week. This will teach and remind your kids to feed the betta every day. The included feeding spoon is also a nice touch. It will prevent your kids from overfeeding the fish.

This “toy” is a great way to teach your kids the value of responsibility. This kit is a good way to teach your kids responsibility and how to take care of pets. If your young kids have been begging you to get a puppy, you can get them this kit in the meantime.

Although this is a kid’s toy technically, it should at least be a bit more durable than it is now. The daily food containers are quite fragile and difficult to use. The covers are a bit too tight. It is quite difficult to dump out the contents of the containers completely.

7. Marina Betta Pals Kit

This kit is not just great for kids. All beginners at fishkeeping regardless of their age will also like it. The tank is 5” wide by 9” long by 6” high, which is a good size for a kid’s room. The tank has such a small footprint that you can place it on a small shelf or top of a chest of drawers.

Another great thing about this kit is that you get everything that you will need to keep a betta fish. You will get a tank with a lid to prevent the betta from jumping out, about a pound of naturally colored purple gravel, and some decorative plants. There is also enough water conditioner for the first contents of the tank and a sample food packet.

One of the reasons why I consider this as one of the betta fish tanks for kids is that it is quite affordable. Since you will not be getting any electronics like filters and lights, you can keep the costs low. Don’t worry about not having a filter or water pump because betta fish can breathe air, so the water need not be clean all the time.

As mentioned earlier, aside from the water, you will be getting everything that your kids need to keep a betta fish. These include two plastic plant decorations. The “plants” have suction cup bases so they will not get uprooted when the betta rests on it, which it will constantly do.

Ideally, it is important to keep betta fish in a 5-gallon tank. Even though a betta can survive in a one-gallon tank, it does not mean that it would be happy. I am not also a big fan of non-acrylic plastic tanks. They are not quite as durable as I would like them to be.

8. Hygger Horizon LED Glass Starters Aquarium Kit

Some people might argue that this kit is a bit too nice to use as a fish tank for a 2-year-old child, and I would not disagree. The curved edges and the rocky backdrop seem too much for a practice tank for a young child. However, it is also ideal for kids because it is so mesmerizing to look at. My young son cannot stop staring at this tank in his room.

Speaking of the background, all tanks come with this backdrop already pre-installed. This 3D background is so much better than the usual poster taped at the back of the tank. In addition, you can plant grass seeds on the rocks to make the tank even more beautiful.

The water filter comes with a water cascade outlet attachment. This is nice because it makes the water look like it is coming from a waterfall. You can also control the water flow. You can set it to look like a waterfall or dial down the flow to make the water trickle down like a small stream.

This kit also has a very nice LED lamp. This LED lamp is not like your regular desk lamp. It comes with a wired controller that lets you change the colors of the light. You can make the light look like the morning, noon, or afternoon sun, and adjust the intensity. The only thing that could have made this even better is if it had a timer.

As much as I would have loved to give this aquarium kit a perfect score, it does have a couple of issues. One issue is that the filter is a bit too strong. I had to explain to my son what happened to one of his fish when it got sucked into the filter. I had to install a bit of mesh to cover the inlet to keep the other fish from suffering the same fate.

9. Penn-Plax Spongebob Betta Goldfish Fish Tank

If your kids are big fans of SpongeBob SquarePants, they might love this beginner betta fish tank. The base is just 10.5” x 6.5”, so finding space for it will not be difficult. Even if your kid’s room is a bit small, finding space for it will not be hard at all.

Even though this tank is quite simple, it still has a couple of convenient features. First, it comes with a clear lid with plenty of vents. This prevents the fish from jumping out and the outside debris from getting in. There is also a convenient drain hole at the bottom of the tank that will let you do water changes without disturbing the gravel too much.

This is a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed betta tank, so young kids would love this. This set comes with a colorful SpongeBob wallpaper for the background. It also has a pineapple topper. Any fan of the sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea will certainly love having this tank regardless of their age.

The tank’s design is quite nice. It has a convex-shaped front and rounded corners, giving nice viewing angles. The back is flat so the wallpaper’s image will not get deformed. This will let you push it against the wall easily, thereby keeping it stable. The size is also just right for a single betta. He will have enough room to move around.

Now, here are the issues I have encountered with this tank. The biggest issue is that the external decorations disintegrate when they get even just a little bit wet. The topper is made of soft cardboard, which might have been better if it was plastic.

10. Oltraman Small Betta Fish Tank

It is a well-known fact that kids absolutely love playing with LEGO blocks, and a lot of adults are guilty of this as well. This betta tank kit features an adorable little plastic tank shaped like a square LEGO block. The lid even has four studs on top of it. Once set up properly, it will be a thing of beauty.

When you open the box where this kit comes in, you will be surprised that it already contains everything you need. Aside from the water and the fish itself, you will get a complete working fish tank.

The kit contains the 3/5-gallon tank, a pouch of gravel substrate, a couple of tank decorations, and a battery-powered LED light. You do not need to buy anything else.

Speaking of the LED lights, a small strip of multi-colored LEDs comes with this kit. The LED strip is USB-powered, which means if you have an old phone charger lying around the house, you can use that to power it. The light also has a remote control where you can change the colors of the lights and their intensity. You can also make it pulse.

Another neat thing about this tank is that it behaves just like real LEGO bricks. This means you can stack one tank on top of another. This is not necessarily a good option for kids’ rooms. However, if you are thinking of keeping a couple of bettas yourself, you can get a couple of these tanks and stack them together to save space.

Now, here are the issues that I have with this product. First, the tank is simply too small even for a betta fish. At first, it would seem like he loves the tank, but not having enough room to swim around will make the fish feel lethargic.

What to Look For When Buying a Fish Tank for Kids

Here are a couple of things that you should consider when you are out shopping for the best aquarium for kids:

Size

This can get a bit tricky because you will need to find a balance between the available space in your kids’ room and how many fish your kids want to take care of. If your kids just want to take care of something simple, they can get a small tank and a betta fish.

Bettas do not need a huge tank as they can survive in a one-gallon tank. However, they will be much happier in a 5-gallon one.

Materials Used

Many of the best aquariums for toddlers use flimsy plastic for making the tanks. There is nothing wrong with that if you are not planning on keeping the fish for long. However, if you want your kids’ tank to last for as long as possible, go for the ones made of tough acrylic.

Accessories Included

If you are planning to give your kids a betta to take care of, you do not need to get a fancy water filter/aerator. Bettas are air breathers so the water need not be oxidized.

On the other hand, having a water filter will also mean that you will not need to change the water quite as often. Other accessories that you can get for your new tank include an LED light and a heater.

Price

Since you will be giving the tank to your young child, it makes sense to not spend hundreds of dollars on an aquarium. However, you should also not go out of your way to find the absolute cheapest one out there. Get a tank with a passable build and material quality. It should also fit your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Good for an Aquarium?

Once your toddler can start having simple chats with you, then he/she might be ready for an aquarium. On average, 18 months is a good age to start.

What is the Easiest fish Tank to Maintain?

Most normies would say that a goldfish tank, which is a classic, is easier to keep. However, goldfish eat a lot and as a result, they also poop a lot. This means that they are not exactly low-maintenance. If you want something easy to take care of, you should get a betta.

Conclusion

Your children are never too young to have the best fish tank for kids. You should start them as young as 18 months so they can learn more about responsibility.

There are hundreds of brands that you can choose from but only a couple are considered reliable. Since you have made it this far, it will be safe to say that you already have an idea of how to shop for a kids’ aquarium.