When I was a kid back in the 1980s and growing up in Connecticut, small, mini turtles were illegal.  As such, we didn’t keep the little critters as pets but I understand from both my father, who owned pet turtles before they became illegal, and from others who grew up in other regions throuhgout the country that mini turtles make great pets.  Infamously kept in tiny fish tanks and only requiring simple cleaning and daily feeding, pet turtle care is a snap and can be done by just about anyone and at any age.  In fact, my kids have been begging me to move to a more “turtle friendly” state but I told them that if they want turtles they are going to have to go out and catch their own since we are clearly not going to be moving out of the north east any time soon.