My son is 4, and is getting pretty decent at casting.  Up until now we have been using the superhero kids poles, and they just constantly lock up and malfunction.  I think I would like to get him a reel of a little better quality, but still a spincaster.  One that I might not have to work on every ten casts.  Is the Zebco still the better choice among these?

Look into a Daiwa Goldcast.  Will last you years.  Very well made spincast reel.

I agree with JF but more in tune with the gastric hands of a 4 year old and at half the price of the Daiwa Goldcast ---> Daiwa Silvercast ( TW has it ) . Very nice reel too, that 's what Lil Raul has.

Thanks guys, I knew you guys would point me in the right direction.

Take a look at the Zebco Omega, too.

I bought my son a Zebco 33, and he just turned 6. He really likes it and you can switch the handle. If only he didn't throw half on the his Batman rod into the lake. > :-[ ;D

My boy has a small zebco (not sure which) that works well, he uses it for panfish.

He has been using a Quantum Underspin reel for bass casting. (It goes with a spinning rod as opposed to a baitcast rod.)

He is able to cast it much better than a typical spincast for some reason. The trigger seems to just be more his style I guess.

I actually just got a Spirex for $20 at Dick's that I'm gonna give him for xmas. Same type of trigger deal so he should be able to adapt quickly.

I know I got my son this Zebco 202 with a 3' Invincible Galaxy rod for like 15 bucks from this local tackle shop in Fredericksburg.  So far it's great. He just turn three and learning how to cast it. He got a kick out of it when we went to inlaws during the summer and I took a cheap rattle trap, took the hooks off and let him cast it out and reel it back in at the pool. I tell the reel cast great.  bought same combo a couple of years ago for my nephew and hell my brother uses it and to get area when we cut through the woods. I've been very impress with it. I was at first going to get him the spincast with trigger on top but I heard that children had of hard time learning with that reel? Have anybody tried those kind?

I set each of my girls up with a Zebco 33 on a 5' fiberglass rod. They were throwing beetle spins and having a pretty good time.

When I was about 4 I caught a 4 1/2 pounder on my Mickey Mouse Zebco.  I don't really remember it, but my dad says he had to dive in after the pole when the fish snatched it out of my hands.  It may just be a coincidence, but I think he picked up a few packs of pink worms for the tackle box after that day.. 

This story really has nothing to do with the thread... I just felt like sharing.  Go with the spincast or omega. You can't go wrong with those.