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I have a cricket from teaching one of my kids to shoot with it. The big advantage to them is that they are perfect for a smaller or younger child. I do not remember which of my kids got the cricket. Most of my kids got Marlin model 15Y. It is a slightly larger single shot bolt action 22 that has a traditional wood stock. Since I used their tenth birthday as the starting point, this was the perfect size for them. It might be a little large if you grandkids are younger.

I don't recommend a first rifle being a semi, but if you don't mind that, and especially if you want to put a sight on it, you can't go wrong with a Ruger 10-22. Indestructible, fun to shoot, great accuracy for the price, and lots of choice of accessories for them. For two of my kids, it was their second rifles.