You can .. but I wouldn't recommend it .. those buggers can run fast ..
I would recommend using one of these if you want to let it run around
It's easier to grab them when they are in one of these and will cause less damage to the animal when kids chase after it when it takes off
Hamsters aren't high maintenance but their life span also isn't very long
I never let Dana get one before now because that part didn't sink in and I wanted her to understand it all first.