C.J.
Hi, I worked at at pet store for 4 years and I have owned everything! Guinie pigs are good but be very choosy, some do not like to be held at all and they could scratch (sometimes more than a rabbit) also they cannot close their eyes very fast and 2 year olds like to touch :), they usually only close their eyes to sleep. My kids are 7, 3 and 1. Rabbits are good, but I would not get a young one for a first pet, get a older calm one, I had one that was a doll and loved to be loved (all the time) by my kids, unfortunatly her cage was gotten into outside :( and she is no longer with us. Hampsters are too small for a younger child and like to get loose, lol, my kids have three and I find them all over the place. also the younger kids like to squish them. Let me know if you have any questions about any and all animals :)
C.