The 10 Best Baby Instruments

Updated June 04, 2020 by Karen Bennett

This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Almost all babies enjoy listening to and creating musical sounds. These miniature instruments can help to teach them about notes, promote the development of motor skills, and improve hand-eye coordination, all while providing lots of fun. We've included individual items as well as all-in-one sets, so if your child has siblings, they can start their own little family band. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. If you'd like to contribute your own research to Ezvid Wiki, please get started by reviewing this introductory video.

1. Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone

2. Baby Einstein Piano

3. Infantino Percussion Set

4. Bright Starts Light & Learn Drum

5. Hohner 4 Piece Band

6. Munchkin Magic Cube

7. Skip Hop Accordion

8. Hape Pound & Tap

9. Skip Hop Egg Shaker Trio

10. Baby Einstein Music of the Seas

Special Honors

Lakeshore Learning Jumbo Rhythm Rainstick Tots will enjoy creating myriad fun rhythms when they shake this colorful plastic instrument. It measures eight inches tall and features eight fun levels inside for the vibrant beads to rain down. It’s designed for children six months of age through five years. It’s a budget-friendly choice and sure to keep little ones occupied. lakeshorelearning.com

Vibrating Guitar Grasp Toy Your little Rockstar can pull the cord to make this plush toy vibrate, which creates a soothing sensation. They’ll also enjoy the texture of its bright yellow strings. It features an attractive pastel blue color, with a bright red pom pom on the end. It’s made from durable polyester, measures 14 inches in length, and is good for kids from birth to three years of age. uncommongoods.com

Editor's Notes

June 02, 2020:

Whether you have a pint-sized Mozart on your hands or a budding Eddie Van Halen, our selection of baby musical instruments has an option for you. In today’s update, we added in the Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone. This tried-and-true toy has been around for decades, yet it now sports a redesigned look with a sleek, curved body. Its mallet is attached with a string so it won’t get lost, and kids can pull it around the house easily by the string. It’s got eight vibrant keys that match the colors of the rainbow. It replaces the Hohner Glockenspiel on our list, the mallet of which can bend rather easily.

For those interested in a drum, look to the newly added Bright Starts Light & Learn Drum, which kids can tap away on to produce fun sounds, or it can be set to educational counting and fun color-changing modes. They can take their concert anywhere in the house, and beyond, thanks to the comfortable carrying handle. The top features a shiny mirror to provide more entertainment. For another percussion choice, we added the Infantino Percussion Set, and this one comes with a tambourine, a maraca, a bell rattle, and two castanets. It also includes a drum, into which you can pack up everything when playtime is over. It features a fun pond-creature theme, with pieces shaped like a turtle, ducks, and fish. Each component has a handle that makes it easy for little hands to grasp.

The list wouldn’t be complete without a piano, and the Baby Einstein Piano won’t disappoint when it comes to keeping little ones entertained, thanks to its three modes and the ability to play more than 20 fun sounds and songs. The large keys are numbered and are easy for little fingers to press, and it comes complete with the required AA batteries.

For more toy musical instruments for young children, check out our lists of best baby drum sets and best toddler pianos. No matter which instrument you feel best suits your baby’s personality, make sure you abide by manufacturer’s stated age requirements, and supervise children and their toys, for safety’s sake.

Last updated on June 04, 2020 by Karen Bennett

Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.


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