Choosing a telescope or other astronomical equipment can be a daunting task to the unweary. For kids with an interest in the night sky I think the right thing to do is to buy them a cheap telescope but If you are an adult then I think perhaps if you are new to astronomy, a good pair of binoculars may be a better starting point.
If you decide to get binoculars first, then you can always spend time at your local astronomical society trying out different types of telescopes before you buy. In these pages, you can find advice on binoculars and telescopes and there is even a section with advice for parents.