First things first I'm a tight wad . Second I'm not laying out $200 for a kids fall down in the mud 22 . I might for a switch bbl like an HR package . The kid isn't getting anything in a Thomson or Anshutz class because I cant afford it for me .
Field report suggestions and second hand ideas .

Take a look at RUGER 10/22. They are dependable and resonable. I have one of the first ones that came out. It still shoots like the day I brought it home.

I was looking for same thing back in September.
I ended up buying my youngest son a USED Marlin in good condition for $125, including a 3X9X32 scope, bases and rings. It shoots good and he loves it.

They are $200 for the basic one at Wal Mart and he said he didn't want to spend that much. However, this would be my choice too. My second choice would be a Marlin 60. There is also that synthetic Marlin you can get on sale fairly often for $100 after rebate.

I picked this up for my 10 year old a couple weeks ago. Just under $200 and comes with the AccuTrigger:

http://www.savagearms.com/markiig.htm

If you're not going to custom it out in the future then I'd go for the marlin 60. You can get em for around 170 at gandermountain. Personally, I'd go for the 10/22 and really push it because you can do much more down the road modifications on a 10/22 than almost any other gun out there.

I have to agree, if you want something that will last go with a ruger 10-22

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Try Henry, they are made in the USA still.
And are affordible, and you can hit with them.
The ones I have shot, are worth every penny they cost.

JMHO

Thanks for the inputs . The 10/22s are pretty hard to come by out here . I was thinking about a single shot . They are as much as the reapters .