Get a Diawa GoldCast GC100 and don't look back. Quality reel, easy for your kids to learn how to use and fish with, and it will let you spend more time fishing and less time fixing birdsnests.

Great reel - I've been using them hard on the river throwing jugs and top water plugs, and they've held up very well. They are easy to master, and they will throw a lure as far as anything out there. I've converted many of my fishing buddies to this reel from spinning reels - they were tired of being outcasted with their spinning reels. I have 3 of them in the boat, with different rigging, so I can switch to a different lure when conditions change.

The Diawa GoldCast reels come in 3 sizes - GC80, GC100, and GC120. For most people , the GC100 is ideal (its what I use), the controls feel right. The GC80 is smaller, and nice for a lightweight trout or panfish rod. I can't recommend the GC120 - it just feels too big and ungainly. My buddy bought one and sold it after a month because he hated it, and bought another GC100.

http://www.daiwa.com/reel/detail.aspx?id=72

The GC100 works great with 8 to 12 pound mono. I use 8# for my topsurface rod, and it casts a mile. I spool up my jigging rods with 10# usually.

The only knock I have is the drag adjustment - its easy to roll the dial accidently during the day and get it too loose or tight - so when you get something big on, you need to pay attention to it. It is a good drag mechanism however.