Not all bunnies are easy to befriend and handle.
Some might be shy and don’t like being touched.
While others can be as sweet as a dog.
The latter’s ideal if you have kids at home.
So if you’re looking for a friendly bun…
I narrowed down your choices.
Read on to learn more:
- 9 most child-friendly rabbit breeds.
- The best bunny choice for children.
- 3 crucial tips when getting a child-friendly rabbit.
- And so much more…
Which breed of rabbit is most child-friendly?
Himalayans are the most child-friendly rabbit breed. They’re gentle and love to cuddle with their humans. Plus, they like getting attention. So if you teach children how to handle them properly, it’ll be easy. Moreover, they’re friendly and playful. Thus, these bunnies can also match a kid’s energy.
These are only some of their best traits.
Plus, there are more rabbit breeds with some of the same qualities that you must know.
So buckle up. And let’s meet them one by one.
9 most child-friendly rabbit breeds for children
#1: Himalayan
These are 1 of the calmest and cuddliest bunnies you’ll ever meet.
That’s why they’re perfect for families with kids. As well as for 1st-time rabbit parents.
Himalayans, or ‘Himis,’ are among the oldest breeds in the world.
They’re known for their:
- Red eyes.
- Cylindrical body.
- Distinct markings.
However, don’t let their eyes intimidate you.
On the inside, Himis are sweet, gentle rabbits.
Most of them are often up for cuddles.
So they don’t usually mind if you handle them.
And they rarely bite or scratch too. But that’s as long as you pick them up correctly.
Also, these tiny bunnies are known for being friendly.
They love almost everyone. And only need a little time to fit in.
So they’ll be great furry companions for children.
What’s more, Himis enjoy the attention.
They’ll be curious about everything you do. And may often tag along with you as well.
Now, among many rabbit breeds…
You’ll easily distinguish Himalayans due to their striking looks.
They’re small, weighing only around 2.5-4.5 lb (0.9-2 kg).
Also, based on the American Rabbit Breeders Association, a.k.a. ARBA, they’re the only bunnies with long, cylindrical bodies.
Besides this, Himis have huge, egg-shaped spots on their nose.
And the body parts below are also covered with markings:
- Tail.
- Feet.
- Ears.
But want to know what’s more fascinating?
These spots change in color. And it depends on the place they’re in.
For example, a Himalayan’s markings will be dark in cold weather.
Meanwhile, they’ll fade in color when put in a hot place.
Fun fact: Himalayans have the ‘C gene.’ It’s responsible for the color of their coat. And studies say that light and temperature affect it.
#2: Holland Lop
A lap bunny with a cute face.
These rabbits are a whole child-friendly package.
Kids (and adults) adore their short, round faces and floppy ears.
Hence, they’re among the most popular breeds in the US.
But how are they as pets?
Holland Lops are mellow and affectionate.
Usually, they enjoy being cuddled and stroked. And they can tolerate it without freaking out.
But once the cuddle time’s over…
They may also show their curious and playful side.
Despite weighing only around 4 lb (1.8 kg)…
Holland Lops have much energy in their compact bodies.
Thus, you’ll often see them hopping around. And it’ll be an adorable sight.
#3: Dutch
Sweet, easygoing, and playful.
These traits put Dutch rabbits on the list of well-liked breeds.
They’re famous for being sociable.
Once adopted, they’ll be happy campers from day 1.
And it won’t take a while to bond with them if taken care of well.
So they’re also a good choice for families with children.
Apart from their friendly nature…
Dutch bunnies are also big fans of cuddling.
They usually enjoy sitting on their human’s lap. As well as getting nose or cheek rubs.
However, unlike the breeds above…
These medium-sized rabbits love to play.
Thus, they can be high-strung at times.
Moreover, Dutch rabbits are smart and curious little fellows.
So you must let them play freely for at least 4 hours daily.
Keep them engaged – both mentally and physically. Especially during the daytime.
Do this so they won’t have pent-up energy. And will be able to sleep peacefully at night.
Aside from their great personality…
Dutch rabbits also have a unique appearance.
The sides of their face and long ears are usually black or brown.
It’s the same with their rear end too. So it looks like they’re wearing pants.
#4: Chinchilla
These bunnies also make lovely playmates for a child.
Chinchillas, a.k.a. ‘Chins,’ are gentle and outgoing.
They have a laid-back nature.
This trait makes them easy to handle.
That’s why they’re also ideal for 1st-time bunny parents.
Also, Chins enjoy being around people. Especially their humans.
But due to their calmness…
They’ll happily sit beside you. Then be content with it – as you watch TV or read books.
Now, in terms of their looks…
The coat of this breed’s similar to Chinchillas. Hence, their name.
Chins have soft, grayish fur. Which is mixed with black and white strands.
Meanwhile, their size will depend on their type:
| Kind of Chinchilla | Size | Weight |
| Standard | Small to medium | 5.5-7.5 lb (2.5-3.1 kg) |
| American | Large | 10-12 lb (4.5-5.4 kg) |
| Giant | Large | 12-15 lb (5.4-6.8 kg) |
#5: Havana
Like the other rabbit breeds on this list…
These bunnies don’t mind cuddling as well.
They’re sweet to most people. And are known for being social.
Aside from this…
Havana rabbits have the right amount of energy.
They’re not too active.
But they’re not couch potatoes, either.
Now, during these bursts of energy…
They’ll enjoy playing with children. As well as running around with them.
Trivia: These bunnies came from the Netherlands, not Cuba. They got their name because of their chocolate coat. Which is similar to the color of a Cuban cigar.
#6: Sussex
Due to their fur color and features…
People call them the ‘teddy bears’ of bunny land.
First, Sussex rabbits have a gold or reddish coat.
This resembles the color of most bear plushies.
Second, they have soft features.
Sussex bunnies have button eyes. And they have small, fluffy bodies as well.
Plus, their fur’s soft, too – literally.
It’s thick but short. So they only need little grooming.
And you don’t have to cut or brush their hair much.
Now, these features make them look so cute. As if they’re living dolls.
Lastly, Sussex rabbits are loving.
They’re cuddlier than other timid breeds. Say most wild and dwarf bunnies.
In addition to these traits…
Sussex rabbits are smartypants as well.
You can easily teach them tricks like coming to you when called. Or train them to use a litter box.
So if you have kids at home, ask them to help you with training.
It’s a great way to bond with the bunnies.
Plus, they’ll have fun during the process too.
Reading tip: 17 Biggest Pros And Cons Of Rabbits As Pets
#7: Harlequin
When it comes to being gentle and sociable…
You can also trust these adorable bunnies.
Why?
Harlequins usually love people. And this makes them child-friendly.
These rabbits don’t mind cuddling.
Plus, they enjoy being around their humans.
So they’ll like it if you pet them.
Also, even though they have a relaxed personality…
Harlequins are clever and curious about the world.
Thus, they can be playful at times too.
You may see them sniffing around. As well as climbing on things to explore new areas.
But besides their fun character…
These bunnies also come in a child-friendly size.
Harlequins have medium-sized bodies.
They weigh about 6.5-9.5 lb (2.9-4.3 kg). Which is a perfect size for playing with kids. (Not too small and fragile.)
Thus, these bunnies are 1 of the world’s cutest and most popular breeds.
Also, they have striped bodies – from ears to tail.
And their coat can be a mix of the following:
- Black.
- White.
- Orange.
Their face is made up of 2 colors.
And it splits down evenly in the middle. Which makes Harlequins stand out from the rest.
Trivia: As per records, this breed was 1st seen in Paris, France, in 1887. Yup, the world’s fashion capital gave birth to these colorful bunnies.
Harlequins were a mix of wild and tortoiseshell rabbits. Which is the reason for their attractive coat color.
#8: Flemish Giant
Meet the largest and 1 of the oldest rabbit breeds in the whole world.
These bunnies’ average weight ranges from 15-22 lb (6.8-10 kg).
Some may even grow up to 50 lb (22 kg). And become 2.5-4 ft (76.2-121.9 cm) long.
Okay. These numbers might be hard to visualize at first.
So, here are some easy comparisons.
Flemish Giants can be as big as medium-sized dogs. Or as heavy as 3-5 bowling balls.
Thus, they’re not as tiny and fragile as other bunnies.
Which makes them a huggable buddy for children.
Now, due to their size…
These giant rabbits might look scary to some kids.
But behind their huge bodies are chill, cuddly souls.
Well. They’re called ‘gentle giants’ for this very reason.
These furry friends like peace.
So they might seem lazy.
You’ll often see them lying down. And they take frequent naps throughout the day too.
Thus, they’ll be easy to handle – both for adults and kids.
Apart from this…
Flemish Giants love attention.
So they may climb on your lap for cuddles or follow you around.
Some might even give kisses. Meanwhile, others jump on the couch as their humans watch TV.
Therefore, these bunnies act more like a dog. As they can be clingy most of the time.
You might also like: Rabbits vs Dogs: 13 Fun Reasons Why Rabbits Are Better Pets
#9: French Lop
These are also ‘gentle giants’ who are great with kids.
But compared to Flemish Giants…
They have long, floppy ears. Along with chubby cheeks and a wide forehead.
So at a glance, you might mistake these bunnies for stuffed animals.
“How are their personality?”
If they’re well-bred…
French Lops are usually sweet and easygoing.
They like interacting with people.
They’re game for cuddles. And will always be there to greet you when you arrive home.
Also, 2 of their hobbies are sleeping and lounging.
So expect to get a calm bunny.
Thus, French Lops are also a great choice if you’re leaning toward bigger rabbits.
This is the case if it’s your preference. Or if you have plenty of space at home.
As well as if you’re worried that kids will mishandle a tiny bunny when not supervised.
Final words…
The rabbits above have a generally calm, sociable nature. So there are high chances of getting a child-friendly bunny.
But keep this in mind.
Rabbits are prey animals.
So most of them tend to be uncomfortable when picked up. And do better when admired from afar.
However, they can show their love in other ways without physical contact. Say, sitting or sleeping around their humans.
In addition to this…
Every rabbit has a unique personality
This means bunnies of the same breed can have different traits. And you must consider this when choosing.
Also, how rabbits were brought up affects their personality.
They could be skittish if the breeder didn’t handle them much.
Meanwhile, they’ll be sociable if they were exposed to different people at a young age. As well as new places and experiences.
So before adopting…
Pay more attention to how the bunny acts
Do this instead of choosing them solely due to their breed.
This list I made will help you narrow down your choices.
But at the end of the day, each rabbit will have a unique personality.
Bunnies who are scared of people may not stand being petted or picked up.
Also, it might take a while to gain their trust. And bond with them.
So if you have kids at home…
It’ll be best to find a gentle yet friendly bunny.
One more thing…
Never leave a child with a rabbit
Although you have an even-tempered bunny…
They might still bite or leave nasty scratches once they feel:
- Upset.
- Unsafe.
- Stressed.
Some bunnies even nip when they’re excited.
So kids might be taken aback by this behavior. Which may cause them to act roughly.
When this happens…
This can be traumatic for both.
Also, it’s easy to injure a bunny if you handle them wrong.
So as much as possible…
Avoid letting young children pick them up
This helps prevent any accidents.
Then if you have kids who are old enough to handle a rabbit…
Teach them how to pet and pick them up correctly.
Plus, watch out for signs of stress in rabbits.
You’ll know they’re uncomfy if they’re:
- Grunting.
- Restless.
- Breathing fast.
- Stomping their feet.
- In a hunched position.
- Hiding/escaping often.
- Grinding their teeth loudly.