Musical Instruments for Kids

Music is one of the first languages a child understands. Keeping a beat trains coordination and attention, listening to different sounds trains hearing, and playing together with an adult or other children teaches taking turns and listening to others. Singing and rhythm games also support language: songs and rhymes help children remember words and syllables. And music is simply joyful; it is an easy way to move, laugh and release energy.

• Cabasa. A wooden percussion instrument with metal bead strings. Turn the handle or brush the beads with a palm to make rattling, swishing rhythms. From 3 years.
• Rhythm sticks. A pair of natural wooden claves with a short, clear sound. A simple first instrument for rhythm, used both in music classes and at home. From 3 years.
• Marble run with chimes. Marbles roll, spin and ring chimes on the way down. It combines movement, sound and cause and effect. From 18 months.

From around 18 months, children enjoy toys where an action makes a sound, such as a marble run with chimes. From 3 years, they can hold an instrument properly, copy a simple rhythm and play along with a song, so a cabasa and rhythm sticks are a good first set. Find more ideas in toys for 1–2 year olds and toys for 3–5 year olds.

Clap or tap a short rhythm and ask your child to repeat it. Play loud and quiet, fast and slow. Put on a favourite song and play along, or march around the room to the beat. Give each family member an instrument and make a small orchestra. You do not need to know music yourself; what matters is listening and having fun together.

All instruments in this collection are wooden. Wood gives a warm, natural sound and is pleasant to hold. You will find more wooden toys in wooden toys, and toys in the same spirit in Montessori toys and educational toys.