Much like adults can't control what a child's favorite fruit or color would be, a musical instrument is just as volatile and subjective. Parents and relatives alike often find it challenging to gift a child with a musical instrument that would be enjoyed for more than two weeks. However, this shouldn't hinder anyone from acting as a catalyst and sparking an interest in music in any child, because this is a must-have skill.
To help with the process, we picked out the top 10 most popular kid's musical instruments on Amazon and drafted a buying guide in choosing the right device for your child based on personality, capacity, interest and more!
Quick List - Top Kid's Musical Instruments
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The buying guide below consists of certain considerations, such as age and physical capacities, interest, type of instrument, and space available, to assist you in picking out a fitting musical instrument to get a child.
While we can't decide just yet if a child will click with a particular instrument and end up going pro with it, we need to take their current physical capabilities into consideration because an instrument that is too advanced will end up dusty and unused in a closet.
Music comes in all shapes and forms, to be enjoyed and engaged in across all ages. With that said, even a toddler can pick up a tambourine or maraca and start hitting or shaking to a beat. As they get older, they can grasp the theory of music in greater detail and move up the ladder of complexity.
There are many instruments that can only be fully maximized by older individuals because they require more dexterity, like playing the keys of a piano, physical strength to carry a tuba, arm reach to extend a trombone or embouchure (mouth placement) and lung capacity to blow into a trumpet.
However, certain instruments have been designed to cater to the young learners, hence the different sizes of violins and the like.
For a child to enjoy or even pick up an instrument, they must be interested in it. If it's difficult to gauge yet which type appeals to them, go for one that suits their personality.
Consider the style of music that they enjoy listening to, such as pop-rock making them dance or classical music making them calm and happy. Pick out the main instrument being played and chances are the sound these instruments emit is what stimulates such responses in a child.
A musical instrument is a great way to vent a child's infinite energy. Maybe a drum kit or some bongos is a good idea if their enthusiasm and vigor levels are off the charts. Why not bank on their high spirit and liveliness to promote musical education?
Secondly, instruments can fit an individual's personality. Extroverts who love being under the limelight would thrive playing the trumpet, violin, electric guitar or other solo and lead instruments, more reserved kids might prefer playing something like a piano that requires them to sit in a stationary spot and concentrate.
Usage is another basis for selecting a particular instrument, with some meant to be used alone while others could be played with the family.
While any instrument can be played alone or with accompaniment, there's something wholesome and endearing about jamming with family or friends. There might not be words being exchanged, but a connection is made through sound. Practice and progress alone, then play as a team - that's the beauty and opportunity with music.
For younger children, it's so easy to sing along to the tune they're playing and watch their eyes glow in pride and accomplishment.
Another way to select a musical instrument for kids is by looking at each category. We have the woodwinds (flute, saxophone, clarinet), strings (guitar, violin, cello), brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba), or percussion (drums, xylophone, piano).
While it may be too early to get a real instrument for a toddler, there are toy versions to get them acquainted with the basic concept of things.
You can ask the question, "how does my child express music?" It could be through arm banging, blowing, doing air guitar gestures or finger tapping. From there, it can be easy to gauge which type of instrument they would be happy to play.
Because the attention span of children can be short, handing them a set of instruments is a parenting hack. They get bored with a tambourine and could quickly grab a maraca or go for a xylophone. By the time they go through the set, the first item might be novelty once more.
With anything we buy, we want to ensure we get our money's worth. A particular instrument might be cheap but it's also made with cheap plastic or wood and could easily snap or crack with a drop. Because younger kids are prone to letting things go, you need durable instruments that can take a beating.
Furthermore, you might want the instrument to leave a lasting impact on a child so that they can develop a serious passion for it perhaps and pursue lessons in the future.
Musical instruments come in varying shapes and sizes, and it is advised to check if there is available space to accommodate a new addition to a child's belongings. For example, drum kits and pianos, whether upright, baby grand or grand, require a permanent space because they can't be moved around easily.
It takes a team of four to six to transport an upright piano, and even though it has wheels, the instrument shouldn't be frequently moved and must remain stationary to avoid messing up the tuning.
Meanwhile, there are portable instruments that are quite popular because you can take them anywhere and begin a jam session at any location. Ukuleles, harmonicas, guitars, flutes, and violins are some examples.
Parents shouldn't forget that instruments can be loud, and might cause problems with neighbors or other tenants.
Children might have the urge to play at random moments, most probably when parents are napping; therefore, one could soundproof a room or go for an electronic version such as a keyboard, drum kit or guitar which can be used with headphones. That way, everyone is happy.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RockJam Portable Electronic Keyboard | ![]() | Jam the Day Away with an All-Inclusive Beginner Keyboard | |
2 | Best Choice Products Beginner Acoustic Guitar | ![]() | The Complete Starter Kit for an Aspiring Guitarist | |
3 | AOKIWO Kids Musical Instruments | ![]() | Premium-Quality Musical Instrument Set for Tiny Tots | |
4 | Aklot Concert Ukelele | ![]() | The Ukulele That Gets Better with Age | |
5 | Play22 Keyboard Playmat | ![]() | The Musical Instrument That Teaches Fun and Fitness | |
6 | PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set | ![]() | Enjoy the Freedom of a Drum Set Without Disturbing the Neighbors | |
7 | Casio 61-Key Portable Keyboard|CTK-2550 | ![]() | The All-Around Keyboard with a Dance Music Mode | |
8 | Remo Rhythym Club Bongo Drum|RH-5600-00 | ![]() | A Durable Bongo That Promotes Rhythm at an Early Age | |
9 | Click n' Play Set of Two Musical Wind Instruments for Kids | ![]() | Get into the Groove with a Sax-Trumpet Set for Toddlers | |
10 | Small Fish Harmonica for Kids | ![]() | A Mini Harmonica for All Ages |
This digital keyboard is great for beginners and elite pianists alike because of its portable size and numerous features such as different teaching modes.
It comes with a sheet music stand and offers exclusive access to the Simply Piano app for better learning. Play plugged into a power supply or on the go with batteries - nothing can stop a musical artist from jammin'!
Reviewers noted that after frequent usage, some keys would go flat but could be fixed with a restart of the system. On the other hand, the keynote stickers, which shows the location of each note based on a particular piano key, was a favorite among users because it helped them to tackle the difficulty of note-reading.
This acoustic guitar has everything a beginner would need to get strumming, such as a guitar pick, shoulder strap, guitar case, digital tuner, pitch pipe and even an extra set of six strings. It might be light on the budget, but users were surprised at the quality of the sound it made due to the all-wood body.
Reviewers advise getting ready to regularly tune the guitar because it would go out of pitch every hour or so. It is a good purchase, however, as a starter instrument.
This set is for the mini maestro with excess energy to spare. It has 18 types of instruments to explore, from rattles and shakers to a xylophone, and is sure to keep a toddler entertained. Pick up the tambourine and turn a solo concert into a family bonding session.
It's been mentioned in the reviews that some of the instruments, like the shakers, were quite soft, which might disappoint the child. But parents loved that the product is made with non-toxic, premium material which is smooth to the touch and can endure frequent visits to the floor.
The classic ukulele made with solid mahogany is like wine which gets better with age. This instrument is made to last and grows with the user as they progress in levels of playing.
It comes with all the perks: picks, tuner, cleaning cloth, case, and a strap. And because the manufacturer kept all ages in mind, they rounded the edges for comfort and shaped the neck into a dovetail to withstand any falls.
Reviewers commented that the first four frets on the C string would emit a buzzing sound after a while. They advised replacing the string to address the problem. At the end of the day, the rich and mellow sound made by the wood was the main selling point which made this ukulele worthwhile.
Who said making music had to stick to traditional instruments? This keyboard playmat incorporates staying fit and healthy, fun and music all into one product. It includes adjustable volume so you can hear the music amid all the sounds of laughter (or panting), and can mimic eight different types of instruments.
A tip from reviewers: the mat always starts at full volume, which may startle everyone. You'll need to turn down the volume every time. On the bright side, the product can handle even a 180-pound adult, so a family dance-off is not far away.
For older children who want to release some extra energy and are too cool for pots and pans, this roll-up drum set is the perfect surprise. It's portable and can be set up anywhere, plus it comes close to a real kit, with two pedals included. When the kids get an itch to play at midnight, simply plug in headphones and everyone is appeased.
Some reviewers mentioned that the actual device was smaller than expected, convincing them that it caters to children. For added fun, you can connect drums to a computer to play along with drum games.
Those looking for a keyboard with more keys that comes close to a piano were quite satisfied with this Casio portable keyboard. With 61 piano-style keys, 400 tones, 100 auto-accompanied rhythms and 60 song bank tunes, a kid would be engrossed learning the instrument for hours.
Then when they're done playing, they can switch to dance mode and move to 50 music choices. Users noted that this keyboard was more geared toward beginners because pianists immediately noticed the weightless keys and extra octave on the right hand which made playing quite disorienting.
Those dipping their feet into this instrument were grateful for the small screen which showed the notes and correct finger placement. It's like having an on-hand tutor at every session.
Turn on any song, hand this bongo drum pair to a child and watch them make their own beat to the tune. Nothing beats self-expression in music better than banging a drum. They stick to a rhythm but are in full control of how to translate the music. And because this product is made for kids, it's very durable, with its black molded rubber base.
According to reviews, the bongos sound better with a mallet, as tiny hands might have difficulty banging the surface. Once the provided drumstick is used, nothing could stop the kids from banging away, and people say they are strong enough to withstand anything kids can throw at them.
It might not be a real sax or trumpet, but chances are, a toddler won't be able to tell the difference. Instead, they'll have loads of fun pretending to be a jazz virtuoso. The instrument produces more realistic sounds, unlike others that sound synthesized.
Parents commented that the instrument was a great workout for the kids because it required more power and air output to create loud sounds. The buttons, though, had a tendency of falling off. Apart from these small issues which children quickly overlooked, the instruments were a hit among the family.
Kids love making music, no matter the instrument or kitchen utensil. A popular choice among children is harmonicas because with a soft blow, they can create so many different sounds. This one, in particular, has been engineered to create beautiful music. It has passed safety standards and is child-friendly.
This instrument is smaller than average and only has enough notes for simple tunes in major chords, which reviewers pointed out makes it really geared for younger users. The stainless steel and top-notch materials used made cleanup quite easy, even if the harmonica was full of slobber.
Parents are always in need of activities that can keep their kids preoccupied. We got you covered! Below are some recommendations that might help.
No. 1: RockJam|Portable Electronic Keyboard
No. 2: Best Choice Products|Beginner Acoustic Guitar
No. 3: AOKIWO|Kids Musical Instruments
No. 4: Aklot|Concert Ukelele
No. 5: Play22|Keyboard Playmat
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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