Music Toys

Music Toys

Toy instruments are bought for rhythm and cause-and-effect rather than for learning to play, and the useful way to choose is by what the child has to do to make a sound. Percussion needs nothing but a hand, so drums, maracas and whistles work from the earliest age and are where most children start. Strings need a deliberate strum and some coordination, which makes a toy acoustic guitar suit a slightly older child who wants to look like they are playing. Keyboards sit in between, because a single key press gives an immediate clear note, and they are the most forgiving introduction to pitch as opposed to beat. Multi-instrument band sets are the practical choice for a group, a classroom or siblings, since they give everyone something to hold and remove the argument. Playback toys such as a boombox radio are a different thing again, playing music rather than making it, which suits dancing and singing along. A word on volume, since it is the honest consideration with this category: look for anything with a volume control if the toy will live in a small house, and packable designs such as a pack away drum matter if the noise needs to be put away rather than tolerated. Check the age guidance on each product before buying for very young children.

Peppa Pig is the widest range, covering a combination musical band set, a pack away drum and an acoustic guitar toy. Bluey supplies a music keyboard and a boombox radio, and Paw Patrol an acoustic guitar toy. HTI makes a Woodworks wooden train whistle for the youngest end of the range. For pretend play sets see Role Play Toys, and for the full range Toys and Games.