If you enjoy music yourself or are raising a little one who loves music, you’re probably searching for all the best toddler musical instruments on the market! It’s hard to know what all the options are, so I’ve compiled this huge list of 25+ musical instruments for young kids. *This post contains affiliate links
Your toddler should always be supervised by an adult when using these instruments.
Best Instruments for Toddlers
1) Ukulele
For young toddlers, playing with a ukulele makes them feel like a little rock star. It’s a great size for their small fingers, usually a lot less expensive than a miniature guitar, and easier to play because it only has 4 strings.
This hard plastic ukulele is the type I bought for my one year old and it’s still in good shape years later. It’s a real instrument, which means the quality is high enough for older kids to learn the basics of music theory with, but it’s also durable enough for toddlers to use.
2) Tambourine
The tambourine is such a simple instrument. It’s satisfying for toddlers to shake, hit and play with. This tambourine set comes with other percussion instruments at a super reasonable cost!
3) Xylophone
Ok, here’s why I love this specific xylophone for toddlers… It has a mallet that’s attached to the bottom with a cord, so you can’t lose it. The mallet also snaps into the bottom of the base so you can tuck it out of the way for storage. AND, the xylophone is shaped like a fox and it’s on wheels, so kids can use it like a pull toy.
I’ve had this in my house for around 4 years and even with two rough kids, it’s still going strong.
4) Harmonica
We bought this 10 hole simple plastic harmonica that’s made just for kids and it was a great choice. A standard adult harmonica is a nice instrument but too complicated for kids to really get the hang of. This one that we got, comes with a set of songs so your older child can learn how to play real music. Playing one note at a time makes this a good choice for young kids to learn the basics with, our two year old got the hang of it quickly.
5) Kalimba
A kalimba is also called a ‘thumb piano’ and it’s a really neat little instrument that might not be on your radar! You make noise with it by pressing the tines down and when they’re released they each make a note. This mini kalimba is a good, inexpensive option for young ones; we purchased a small Beaver Creek brand kalimba that my kids have been enjoying during music time.
6) Steel Tongue Drum
The steel tongue drum wins my award for the least annoying toddler instrument of all time. They’re tuned in a way that it doesn’t matter how you play it, it will always make a melodic sound. Kind of like wind chimes, the notes on a steel tongue drum mesh together nicely.
It also doesn’t matter how hard my kids hit this instrument with the rubber mallets, it doesn’t get TOO loud.
7) Keyboard
If you’re looking at keyboards for your toddler, there are a ton of options out there for them! This small cat-shaped keyboard is a great option for an instrument that doubles as a toy. Ours is from the same company and it’s lasted in the face of two rowdy toddlers for years now.
You can also get something really cool like this wooden mini piano if you have the space for it and like the sound of a non-electric option.
8) Egg Shaker
Egg shakers like these are suitable for even the youngest toddlers. If you have multiple kids at home and you’d like an instrument that everyone can try out, this is one of the most basic and easy to use options out there!
9) Boom Whackers
Do you ever have issues with your toddler throwing or hitting things with their toys? Redirecting their behavior can be a way to satisfy their impulses and keep your sanity at the same time. Boom whackers like these are designed to be held in one hand and hit on the palm of the opposite hand to make a note. If you have a set of multiple boom whackers, they’ll make different noises so you could create a song, if you’d like.
10) Cabasa
The cabasa is another super fun instrument that’s easy for toddlers to use on their own. I recommend getting one that’s a decent quality like this cabasa so it doesn’t break with regular use. Hold the handle in one hand, and use the palm of your other hand to push the band of metal beads against the body of the instrument.
11) Deskbells
This set of desk bells each play a different note and comes with a book of songs you can use to make music together with your toddler. You just press the top of the bell and it make a bright, smooth sound.
12) Jingle Bells
Who said jingle bells were just for Christmas? Not us! You can get jingle bells attached to a loop to make a jingle bracelet or stick for toddlers to shake and play with. We’ve had a set since our first child was about one year old and it’s been a great toy and an easy instrument for learning how to keep a beat.
13) Maracas
Maracas are great, traditional percussion instruments that are super easy for children to use. Similar to an egg shaker, but with an easy-to-grip wooden handle, grab yourself a set of these maracas for a fun time.
14) DJ Set Up- DJ Musical Keyboard
At first glance, you might think a DJ set up is a little overboard for toddlers, but my kids tested this Kids DJ Set out at a friend’s house and we’re adding it to our wish list! Toddlers love pressing buttons and the young ones will be entertained by seeing what types of sounds they can make, while older toddlers can make their own little rhythms and beats.
15) Giant Piano Mat
Not only is a giant piano mat a great way to help your kids get their wiggles out, but it’s also a fun way to get musical. The piano mat is designed to roll up so you can keep it folded, out of the way when it’s not in use. It’s also been a really fun toy to bring out during kids parties. You’ll forever be known as the ‘fun house’ with one of these to hang out with!
16) Castanets
Easy to hold and fun to play with, these castanets are super inexpensive, making them a great option for toddlers to try out. Just put them between your fingers and pinch them closed to make a clacking sound.
17) Train Whistle
We originally got our train whistles for a train-themed birthday party, but it turns out they’re also a great musical toy for toddlers. If your kid can blow bubbles with a bubble wand, he or she can use a train whistle! It’s a simple, entertaining toy for young kids.
18) Triangle
Hold it by the strap and use the metal stick to give it a tap! This triangle instrument is quite inexpensive and easy to use.
19) Rattle Drum
Shake it, spin it and tap it! Grab your kids a rattle drum like this and watch them enjoy learning all the different ways to play with it.
20) Rain Stick
We’ve had this rain stick since my oldest child was an infant and it’s great for so many reasons. The clear plastic body lets you see through it as you watch the beads inside drop to the bottom. It’s a fun little percussion instrument that kids can use from infancy to toddlerhood.
21) Finger Cymbals
With an elastic loop around the middle of each of these finger cymbals, you can play them easily with one hand as an adult or with two hands as a kid. As with all of the items on this list, use the cymbals with adult supervision in case your little one tries to remove the elastic loops.
This is a super simple percussion instrument with a nice bell-like sound that kids have fun with!
22) Wooden Spoons
Playing with wooden spoons encourages imaginative play and can be a great way for toddlers to bond with family members during their mini kitchen concerts.This type of wooden spoon instrument is attached at the ends, which makes it even easier for small hands to use.
23) Toddler Drums
A drum set is an awesome instrument for kids because it combines fun and learning in a big, boisterous way! Drumming helps toddlers develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they learn to hit the drum with precision. It’s also a great outlet for their boundless energy, allowing them to express themselves creatively. The rhythmic activity enhances their auditory development and introduces them to the basic concepts of timing and beat.
24) Microphone
Toddlers love to hear the sound of their own voice! With a toy microphone, toddlers get to sing their favorite songs, and they also develop their language skills and confidence. The bright colors and fun designs make microphones even more appealing, encouraging little ones to explore their vocal abilities and creativity. Plus, they can put on shows for family and friends, making every moment a memorable performance.
25) Rhythm Sticks
By tapping and clapping the sticks together, children enhance their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The rhythmic patterns help build a sense of timing and beat, which is foundational for musical development. We got a set of rhythm sticks like this that you can tap together or rub together to make a different type of sound
26) Jingle Tap
A jingle tap is a super simple percussion instrument that even young toddlers can enjoy. It’s basically a couple of thin cymbals attached to a stick that you can shake or tap to make noise.
Benefits of Instruments for Young Children
Beyond how FUN instruments are to play with, there’s a whole bunch of reasons why music is great for young children. Here are some things your kids are picking up on when you’re playing at home with them and their instruments.
Hand-eye Coordination
When toddlers tap a drum or pluck a string, they’re doing more than making music—they’re fine-tuning their hand-eye coordination. Every beat and strum requires their eyes and hands to work together, turning each musical session into a fun way to improve this essential skill. It’s like a game of musical catch that helps them become more coordinated little maestros.
Fine Motor Skills
Handling small instruments like maracas or tambourines is perfect for honing fine motor skills physical development. Each shake, rattle, and roll helps tiny fingers and little hands get stronger and more precise. It’s like a playful workout for their little muscles, making them better at everything from drawing to buttoning up their clothes.
Social Skills
Music is a universal language, and playing instruments together teaches toddlers the basics of social interaction. Whether they’re sharing instruments or playing in a mini band, they learn about taking turns, cooperating, and communicating with their peers. These jam sessions are the first steps towards making harmonious friendships.
Language Development
Singing along with their favorite tunes and playing instruments helps toddlers develop their language skills. The rhythm and repetition in songs enhance their vocabulary and pronunciation. It’s like a melodic classroom where every note and word helps build their communication abilities.
Auditory Development
Musical instruments open up a world of sounds for toddlers to explore. By listening to and creating different tones and rhythms, they fine-tune their auditory development. This helps them distinguish between various sounds, enhancing their listening skills and making them keen little sound detectives.
Cognitive Development
Playing musical instruments is a workout for a toddler’s brain. It enhances memory, problem-solving skills, and even mathematical thinking through patterns and rhythms. Every time they figure out how to make a new sound or remember a song, their cognitive abilities get a boost, turning them into music-loving thinkers.
Which Toddler Instrument Will You Try First?
I hope you’ve loved this huge list of the best musical toys for toddlers so you can find the best instruments for your young musician. Musical play is so much fun, but it’s also great for brain development. Each strum, beat, and note helps your toddler grow in incredible ways, from boosting cognitive skills to enhancing coordination and social abilities. So, hand them a tambourine, a xylophone, or a tiny drum set, and watch as they embark on a joyful, tuneful journey of learning and laughter.
