6 Best Musical Instruments for Toddlers
We’ve established that learning to play an instrument makes kids smarter, but now what? Do we get an oboe? An accordion? Guitar Hero? Fill up a jar with rice and call it a day? Not a chance. To help you decide, here are the 6 best musical instruments for kids to learn to play, ideal for their small hands!
1. Drums (1-3 years old)
Real drums should best be left alone until kids are at least 12 years old. Meanwhile, there are some amazing toy drums out there that could really help kids start grasping the fundamentals of rhythm. This one by Plan Toys is one of our favorites and seems to be ideal for younger kids and toddlers.
Looking for something for even younger kids? Then shakers or percussion set toys could be your best bet – just keep in mind that these toys are noisy and are best suited for very chill, patient families.
Grab the Plan Toys Solid Wood Drum here.
Find the Plan Toys Clacker here.
2. Xylophones and Glockenspiels (1-3 years old)
We have no idea why young kids love xylophones and glockenspiels, but they absolutely do – and watching them figure out how to play them is entertaining in itself! This is definitely one of the best musical instruments for kids that are still too young to graduate to larger, chord-based instruments but still show signs of some musical vibe. And this one by NINO doesn’t look bad either.
Find the NINO Fish Glockenspiel here.
3. Loog Guitar (3 years old and up)
Ok, ok, ok, ok, we get it. But seriously, how can we not include our very own Loog Guitar? A narrow neck that’s perfect for tiny hands, three strings so that their chubby little fingers can get used to playing, flashcards to learn all the chords (and what they would look like on a 6-string!) and an iOS/Android app that gets them playing songs on day one. We think this is the best musical instrument for kids – but hey, we might be a bit biased on this one.
Grab your kid’s first guitar here (Loog Mini).
Grab a Loog Guitar Pro (8 years old and up) here.
4. Handbells (2 years old and up)
You’ve probably seen these before, since they’re a birthday gift favorite for kids with rhythm – most of us have eyed them at some time. It’s easy to see why! Most sets come with a tiny color-coded songbook that shows you how to play kid classics. And most songs require more than two bells, making the extra-hand requirement fundamental to some lighthearted family fun. It’s also a great way to see if your kid is anything close to musically-inclined: rockstar kids will love them, no matter what. Not really what comes to mind when you think of the best instruments for kids, but definitely one to check out!
Get the Jade Active Diatonic 8
5. Piano (3 years old and up)
Piano is definitely in most people’s childhood bucket list and one of the main starter instruments chosen by parents. But, be warned, it’s not for everyone. Learning takes practice and it’s very hard to actually play songs from the get-go. However, there’s nothing as fun as watching a toddler discovering that banging on keys actually produces sound, even if most pianos for toddlers are just giant xylophones in disguise. Also, learning piano works best when one of the parents already knows how to play, or if a tutor is involved. Keep that in mind if you ever want to graduate to a full-size grand piano!
Check our new Loog Piano here!.
Already have a piano? These adorable Monster Piano Stickers for learners are for you.
6. Kalimba (4 years old and up)
Ever see a kid discover a kalimba? If not, then you’re missing out. Kalimbas are westernized versions of the African karimbas, thumb percussion instruments (or thumb pianos, as they are also called) that make enchanting, unique sounds. Most kalimbas online can be a bit pricey and we found only one that’s made for kids – but rest assured that bringing one home will be fun, educational and, well, a fascinating conversation piece.
Find the NINO Percussion wood kalimba in red here.
Find the Jive Brand Kalimba Thumb Piano here.
Any other musical instruments for kids you’d recommend? Tell us in the comments!