Musical Instruments for Babies and Young Children
- Kayla Collingwood
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
There's something magical about watching a baby or toddler discover sound. A gentle shake, a tap, or even just the shimmer of something colourful can spark curiosity and delight. But if you're wondering where to start with introducing music to your little one, you're not alone. Many parents feel overwhelmed by the options, or worry about choosing something too complex, too loud, or just not quite right.
Bringing music into the early years doesn't mean formal lessons. This is the time where the fundamentals of music are being developed through voice, movement, and sensory information before a child is ready to learn an instrument. This life phase is about exploration, play, and giving children the chance to experience sound in diverse, fun ways.
At the end of this list I've included one slightly unexpected item that isn't really an instrument at all, but it's always a hit with little ones and perfect for moving to music!
About me
Who am I? Hi! I’m Kayla Collingwood, founder of Sound Garden and a passionate classical singer, educator, and creator. Having performed in many different contexts internationally, I've seen firsthand how magical the classical music experience can be for newcomers (and returners!)
Why trust me? Because I've spent over a decade helping people of all ages discover the joy of music, whether through singing lessons, workshops, or creative projects. I love showing that music is for everyone, at any age or level of experience!
Take a look around the rest of the site after you finish reading this post - I'm glad to have you here!
What to Look For in First Instruments
When you’re choosing musical instruments for babies and toddlers, a few things really matter:
Safety first – Non-toxic materials, no sharp edges, and nothing that could break into small parts.
Easy to handle – Small hands need light, comfortable shapes they can grip confidently.
Durability – Instruments that can handle enthusiastic play (and yes, a bit of dropping).
Gentle sound – Little ears are sensitive, so avoid instruments that are too loud or harsh.
Variety – Mix up shakers, scrapers, bells, and drums to keep things interesting and develop different skills.
10 Musical Instruments for Little Ones
(Please note: any brand names shown are not sponsored, and the products pictured are for example purposes only)
1. Maracas (and Egg Shakers)
Probably the simplest and most instantly satisfying instruments for young children. They're light, often colourful, and easy to shake. Perfect for encouraging rhythm and movement from the very beginning.
Why they work: The beauty of maracas is that they respond immediately to even the smallest movement. This instant feedback is crucial for babies and toddlers who are just learning that their actions can create results in the world around them. The gentle rattling sound rewards their efforts without overwhelming sensitive ears, and the repetitive shaking motion helps develop the gross motor skills they'll need for everything from waving goodbye to throwing a ball.
Egg shakers (the ones without handles) are brilliant for children who've developed a palmar grasp and are starting to refine their grip. Try shaking them to the beat of songs during playtime, varying between fast and slow tempos so your child begins to sense different rhythmic patterns. Even if they can't match the beat yet, they're absorbing the pulse and learning to coordinate their movements with sound.
2. Rhythm Sticks
Two sticks, endless possibilities. Children can tap them together, beat them on the floor, or even use them as little drumsticks. They're a brilliant way to develop coordination and a sense of pulse.
What's happening developmentally: When a child taps two sticks together, they're practising bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together), which is foundational for everything from tying shoelaces to playing sports later on. More importantly for music, they're discovering the concept of a steady beat, which is one of the most fundamental building blocks of musical understanding.
Try this: Play a steady beat and encourage your toddler to copy you. Start very simply with just a few taps, then pause. This call-and-response pattern isn't just fun, it's teaching active listening, turn-taking, and the beginning of musical conversation. Don't worry if their rhythm isn't precise yet. The act of trying to match what they hear is building neural pathways that connect their ears to their movements.
3. Hand Bells/Desk Bells
The clear, chiming tones of bells never fail to capture attention. Whether they're activated by pressing a button or swinging side to side, bells introduce the idea of pitch and melody in an instantly accessible way.
Why bells matter: Unlike percussion instruments that produce "unpitched" sounds, bells give children their first taste of melody. Each bell has its own distinct pitch, and even very young children start to notice that some bells sound higher and others lower. This is the beginning of pitch discrimination, a skill that underpins everything from singing in tune to learning languages.
The resonance of a bell (that lingering ring after you've struck it) also teaches children about sound decay. They learn to listen beyond the initial impact, developing patience and focused attention. Watch a toddler ring a bell and then go very still, tracking that fading sound.
4. Tambourine
A classic choice. Toddlers can bang it like a drum, shake it for a jingle, or tap it with their hands. It's wonderfully versatile and always engaging.
What makes it special: The tambourine is essentially two instruments in one, offering both the sharp attack of a drum and the sustained shimmer of jingles. This versatility invites exploration and problem-solving. Children naturally experiment: "What happens if I shake it gently? What if I hit it hard? What if I tap it with just one finger?"
This kind of open-ended exploration is exactly what young children need. They're not just making noise, they're testing hypotheses about cause and effect, learning to control dynamics (loud and soft), and discovering that they can make intentional choices about the sounds they create. The tambourine responds to every variation in their touch, giving rich feedback that helps them refine their motor control and musical expression.
5. Güiro
A bit different from the usual instruments. The güiro is scraped with a stick, producing a raspy, textured sound. Often shaped like a frog, it's as fun to look at as it is to play.
What makes it special: The scraping motion develops fine motor control in a completely different way from shaking or tapping. Plus, that distinctive sound adds wonderful variety to your home music collection. Children also love exploring different ways they can use it to create sound.
6. Metallophone (and similar barred instruments)
Similar to a xylophone but with metal bars, a metallophone produces gentle, resonant tones. It's a lovely introduction to melody and helps children connect sound with pitch.
Understanding the options: You'll find several types of barred instruments for young children. Xylophones have wooden bars with a warm, mellow tone. Metallophones use metal bars for a brighter, more resonant sound. Glockenspiels are also metal but smaller and higher-pitched with bell-like clarity. Some come with resonator boxes underneath that amplify the sound.
For very young children, I'd recommend a metallophone or xylophone over a glockenspiel. The larger bars are easier for little hands to target, and the gentler tones are kinder to sensitive ears.
Why this matters: These instruments offer something special: the ability to create actual melodies. Initially, they will simply tap and strike the bars. As children grow, they begin noticing that different bars produce specific pitches and start experimenting intentionally. This exploration builds internal pitch awareness and musical memory whilst also developing the hand-eye coordination needed to strike specific bars accurately.
7. Tongue Drum
One of the more calming instruments on this list. A tongue drum creates soothing, bell-like sounds when tapped with fingers or soft mallets. It encourages mindful listening and gentle play.
The calming effect: There's something almost meditative about a tongue drum. Its mellow, resonant tones seem to naturally invite slower, more deliberate movements. For children who can sometimes feel overwhelmed by too much sensory input (and let's be honest, that's most toddlers at some point), the tongue drum offers a way to engage with music that feels grounding rather than stimulating.
The gentle touch required teaches volume control and delicate motor movements. Children learn that they don't always have to hit things hard to make sound, a surprisingly sophisticated concept for little ones. This kind of instrument is particularly valuable for winding down before naps or during quieter parts of the day. It demonstrates that music isn't always about energy and excitement; sometimes it's about creating a peaceful, contemplative space.
8. Rain Stick
Turn it over slowly and you'll hear the cascading sound of falling rain. Rain sticks are both aural and visual, often filled with beads or seeds that little ones find mesmerising.
Sensory integration: The rain stick is a masterclass in cause and effect for young children. They learn that the speed at which they turn it affects the sound it makes: fast turns create a rush, slow turns produce a gentle patter. This is children experimenting with dynamics and tempo in a completely intuitive way.
The visual element is equally important. Watching the beads cascade through the tube whilst listening to the sound they make helps children connect what they see with what they hear, integrating multiple senses simultaneously. This kind of multi-sensory experience is how young brains build strong neural connections.
Rain sticks are also wonderfully soothing for fussy moments. The repetitive, nature-like sound can have an almost hypnotic calming effect, and the act of slowly tipping the stick back and forth gives restless hands something purposeful to do.
9. Sistrum
An ancient rattle still used in parts of the world today. It has a bright, jingling sound that's easy for children to produce with just a shake.
Cultural and cognitive connections: The sistrum offers something beyond just sound-making: it's a tangible link to human history and culture. This instrument has been used in ceremonies and celebrations for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt to modern religious practices. Even very young children can begin to understand that music exists across all cultures and throughout time, planting early seeds of cultural awareness.
From a developmental perspective, the sistrum's movable metal discs create a fascinating auditory puzzle. Children notice that the sound isn't quite the same as bells or a tambourine, it has its own distinct jingle. They're building a mental library of different timbres, training their ears to perceive subtle differences in sound quality. This kind of aural discrimination is foundational for language development and musical training alike.
10. Sensory Rainbow Ribbons
Not technically an instrument, but irresistible all the same. A simple wooden ring with colourful ribbons attached becomes a prop for dancing, twirling, and moving in time with the music. They're perfect for bringing energy and imagination into music play.
Embodied musicality: Movement is just as fundamental to musical development as sound itself. Before children can clap a rhythm or sing a melody, they feel music in their bodies. They bounce, sway, and spin in response to what they hear. This is called "embodied cognition", and it's crucial for developing a strong internal sense of rhythm and musical phrasing.
Rainbow ribbons make this movement visible. Children can see the rhythm they're creating, watching the ribbons swirl fast or slow, high or low, in sync with the music. This visual feedback helps them understand abstract musical concepts like tempo, dynamics, and phrase length in a concrete, physical way.
The ribbons also encourage large motor movements (the "gross motor" skills) that use the whole body. These big, expressive gestures build body awareness, spatial reasoning, and the kind of uninhibited physical confidence that translates into emotional expression later on.
Making Music Part of Everyday Life
The beauty of these instruments is that they don't require any special skills or knowledge to enjoy. Put on some music (classical, folk, jazz, pop, whatever your family loves) and let your little one explore. There's no wrong way to play.
Some of my favourite moments as an educator have been watching children discover the different sounds they can create, and that they can express themselves this way. The confidence, that sense of "I can do this", is what we're really building in these early years.
If you're looking for more ways to bring music into your child's life, or if you're curious about classical music immersion and early childhood development, explore the rest of Sound Garden. I share curated playlists, composer profiles, educational resources, and inspiration for people of all ages who want to engage with classical music in accessible ways. No matter your age or level of knowledge or experience, there's something here for you.
What instruments have been hits in your home? I'd love to hear about your little one's musical adventures.
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