Visit the Team Iceshanty Proshop
Left Haned Model, has the right idea! You have to remember, that at any given time, what ever you give them? At that age, they will play with it, and beat the living daylights out of anything nearby! Let the little ones pick out something cheap and worthless, it will mean allot more to them, than saying this what I think or want! When it's broke, just say, TOO BAD! Can't fish anymore! Two seconds later give in, give them another cheap tool of MASS Destruction! They'll come around!!
i have 3 kids, i found the best rod to be the one that they pick out, something they can brag about getting and catching fish on, you get the kid a expensive pole that you love and know is the best for him/her, they wont want to fish, you let the kid pick out a spongbob pole and that kid cant wait to get to the water and cast it out, and you will never hear the end of how he/she picked out the pole that caught the biggest fish of the day, and the kid will hound you to take him again and again if you want a fishing buddy for life, let him/her pick the pole, theyll learn and when they get older will make the right decision on a new pole, if you need a new pole and want to use the kid as an excuse to get it, buy the expensive one
As far as Spongebob poles, he gave his up last summer because he couldn't cast far enough with it.
Are you looking for an ice rod or an open water rod?
I just let my son use his little tigger pole, it's only about 24" long and I put 6# on it so that the line doesn't break to easy.