My family and I are new to chickens and we started with a mixed flock of 8 pullets and 3 roosters. (The roosters were just given away to forever homes because we can't have them in the city we live in.) Anyways, we have/had 2 Easter Egger pullets, 1 EE rooster, 1 Speckled Sussex pullet, 1 SS rooster, 2 Australorp pullets, 2 Red Star/Golden Comet pullets, 1 Buff Orpington and 1 Barred Rock! Whew! Did I get them all?
Anyways, our loudest ones are the Australorps. They cackle loud when I go to pick them up gently. That are kind of funny though when they do it as if they are about to hurt until they realize they are fine and then quiet down. Our favorite personalities that fit the qualities you are looking for are the Buff Orpington as a first choice. Sweet, quiet, love to be held, great with kids. Only downfall would be that they don't lay a ton of eggs if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise GREAT chickens! The Speckled Sussex are great too! Our pullet is more independent and less social but the rooster was so sweet and loved to be held! They were both quiet too. Not aggressive at all. I understand they are great egg layers. The Easter Egger pullets are great too because not only the blue/green eggs but their quirky personalities. Sweet, fun to watch, not very loud. Also great egg layers from what I understand. The rooster was a bit bossy though. More vocal too. We got the Red Star when they were a month old so they aren't keen to be held. I am not sure if that is typical or not. Our other chickens were hand raised from days old. That is the key. Get chicks days old and hold them alot! The Barred Rock was a bit of a spazz. I have heard they can be aggressive too. Maybe I am wrong. Anyways, that is just my opinion based on my own little chickens!
I am sure you will find the right chicken breed for you! : )
Good luck!