The Devil is a Kid's Best Friend

When looking at the original text by the Grimm Brothers, you can already tell it's geared towards a child audience.  The devil is stupid, and could easily be outsmarted by any of the children imagining this story.  In fact, I see almost no way at all that the film version could not be geared towards children when the original text, too, scolds the devil and puts him in a light that is not only humorous, but overpowered.  In both versions, the devil does have some sort of superior.  This implies that he can be tamed, like a pet, like a fool, and that to children indicates that they too are superior to him.  The devil in the film is also ridiculously painted and costumed; children respond powerfully to visuals.  They know that he looks ridiculous; therefore, he is.