Whether they are babies, toddlers, preschoolers or older, children of all ages can benefit from learning about music. But, there are a couple questions to ask yourself when choosing instruments for your child.
Musical instruments for young children should be durable, nontoxic and appropriately sized for their hands. Using the correct kind of instrument for your child’s age, size and development will teach listening skills and develop fine and gross motor skills.
There are a lot of different instruments out there and we have field tested a huge number of them and chosen the ones that we think are the best for introducing young children to music. We think these are the most durable, well crafted and least annoying, making them the best choices for your family.
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When should I start teaching my child music?
Babies can play with instruments and explore sounds and textures and bounce along to a rhythm at three months old. “Teaching” music might take a little longer, closer to three years or older, because musical concepts are complex and might take longer to grasp.
What should I be looking for in an instrument?
Like any other toy for your child, look for something that is durable and nontoxic. Young children will put things in their mouths, so nontoxic paints and finishes are best. Items that are durable will last longer and are less likely to break into small pieces. Choose age-appropriate items because these will keep their interest better and make music more fun!
1. Best Overall Kit: Hape Miniband Instrument Kit
If you are looking to pick up a few different kinds of instruments for your toddler or preschooler to play around with, this kit from Hape is a great option.
It provides five different instruments to play with, each requiring different levels of fine motor skills and dexterity. The egg shaker and rain maker are suitable for younger children and the ukulele will grow with your child as they develop their motor skills.
Hape is a brand makes high quality products mostly out of wood, so they are durable and nontoxic. You may find better items separately, but if you want a high quality set of items without a lot of shopping around, this is a great way to go.
Best Instruments for Babies: Latin Percussion RhythMix Egg Shakers
Egg shakers are one of the best instruments you can give your baby or toddler. They fit in their fists but are big enough to not present a super high risk of choking, despite how often the shakers go in their mouths (but still, always supervisor your children).
There are a lot of egg shakers out in the world, and they are fine (trust me, I’ve listened to most of them), but these are the best. The quality is great, they rarely crack or break, are easy to clean and sound amazing! These make a light rain-maker type sound that is soft but still distinct and will not make you crazy.
These come in two-packs on Amazon. Lakeshore Learning makes a decent set as well. Do not buy the cheap ones on Oriental Trading Company; egg shakers have stuff in them, sometimes pellets, sometimes beads or beans, if they break that stuff will be everywhere, so purchase them from a reputable company.
2. Best Xylophone: Hape Rainbow Xylophone
Hape makes wonderful wooden instruments. They are high quality, super durable, made with nontoxic paint, and this one makes a gentle, pleasant plinking sound rather than harsh metallic or plastic sounds.
Each bar has a different color so not only does your child work on their color knowledge, but their sounds as well. This is great for kids ages 12+ months to manage on their own because it requires some motor skills, but with assistance baby can play with it as well.
This one also has a convenient handle and the sticks fit into slots under the instrument so they can be stored without losing them. Despite all the hard and frequent use these last a long time and still look great.
3. Best Maracas for Babies: Baby Mini Maracas
These mini maracas from Kaplan are perfect for tiny fists to grasp. Small hands can hold onto the rattle and shake away. The sound is soft but distinct allowing for an interesting auditory experience.
At this age your infant is learning more about cause and effect (I shake this thing and it makes that sound) than they are about musical theory, but this is a great place to start! Not to mention all the wonderful practice at using a pincer grasp and developing those fine motor skills.
We use this exact brand for story time and other baby programs at the library. They have a distinct but unobtrusive sound and are so durable, I have never had one break, no matter how many times they have been rattled, chomped, thrown or stepped on.
4. Best Tambourine for Toddlers: Hape Tab Along Mr. Tambourine
Believe it or not, there is a best tambourine for your toddler. It is one that stands up too much pounding, standing on it incorrectly, dropping, throwing, general mayhem and also does not sound terrible to you.
There are a lot out there, but we think this one is the best. It has lasted for countless uses in the library and has stood up against rigorous testing from hundreds of toddlers. All things reach their breaking point at some time, but this one has lasted the longest from many tiny music enthusiasts. The frame is made from wood and painted with nontoxic paint and the center panel is securely attached for even the most enthusiastic young musicians.