I recommend to watch lots of youtube videos, look at specific type of fishing, this time of year trout fishing is good, look at lakes near by an look at stock days of the month. just google stocking by department of fish and game. some lakes are fished out some are not, give your general location and every one here would be glad to help.
as ilovesprig said above when the weather warms up there is more species of fish will start biting. for keeping a kid happy I will use cheap poles and reals with light line 6lb test,
use floating bobbers, small hooks, like # 14, and use redworms or cut night crawlers, or meal worms to catch bluegill small panfish. there are lots of those to catch to keep them happy
and entertained.
if you live near henshaw i would take up ilovesprigs offer , he is a well known fisherman and a great guy. he will will help you get started.