We choose specific instruments for this list which we believe produce the best sound while offering a high level of safety for various ages of children. However, we are not responsible for the quality of specific products or vendors. We are in no way compensated for this list which is put together in good faith for the consumer.
No level of safety precaution replaces the value of supervision, common sense, and caution on the part of parents and caregivers. Condition of the product, manufacturer recommended ages and uses, and your child's age and abilities are factors in determining what is safe for your child and what level of supervision you must employ. We alert you to safety hazards when possible.
Making Music Praying Twice, Inc and its employees are not liable for any problems or injuries relating to these products. We expect that vendors and manufacturers are acting in the public interest. This list is merely a sharing of personal experience. Parents, teachers, and caregivers are ultimately responsible for the choices made for the children in their care.
These are a good quality shaky eggs. Do not buy just any eggs without inspecting quality first. Remember that these will need to take some abuse and must be filled with a certified non-toxic substance. My second child once managed to break open an egg and ingest some steel pellets. Its a relief to know you bought quality, child-tested, non-toxic at a time like that.
Excellent first instrument for baby. If you have a baby under the age of one, you may want a pair of these for shaky egg activities. Older toddlers and preschoolers sometimes prefer this maraca style as well.
This is also a good quality shaker and is very tightly bound together. They are a little smaller and pointier than the Nino Eggs and a little bit pricier. Remember, do not buy cheap eggs. The extra couple of dollars is well worth it in the end!
Its a good idea to have an easy shaker alternative for free instrument play time, as your young baby may prefer shakers to other instruments. These offer a change in shape and in tone as they are wood.
This drum is popular because no matter how hard a child plays with a striker or hand, the drum sound stays deep and mellow. The mallet is not approved for children under three. We recommend using another stick or mallet if your children are younger. This drum is more easily destroyed by a curious child than other products. However, its unique sound quality and high level of tactile feedback from the strong bounce of the head make this a desirable investment.
Small and portable frame drum which can be played with hands or mallet. Hand drumming and frame drumming are featured widely in the folk and medieval music on our CDs. (Babies may not play safely with the mallet without supervision, but may still use the drum.)
For hand drumming, exploring folk drumming from around the world, and just because kids love drums, these are some nice choices for drum activities and free instrument play. This is a pricier choice and is a bit louder than other drums we recommend, but they do have a more professional sound.
This is a fun and super-durable drum. The X shape allows little hands to securely hold the drum with one hand while playing with the other. May be used with the included striker or as a hand drum.
Fun and cute – very appealing to little ones. Certain fine motor skills need to be in place before a child can really play this instrument. Usually appropriate for children 2 and up although littler ones enjoy being played to and exploring the instrument.
Nice quality, plastic castanets with a strong, clear sound. Certain fine motor skills need to be in place before a child can really play this instrument. Usually appropriate for children 2 and up although littler ones enjoy being played to and exploring the instrument.
Traditional African basket shaker is fun and tactile and has an organic, restrained sound. If rattan dries over time and splinters, replace immediately.
This plastic replica of a traditional South American gourd guiro has several different areas to scrape, producing interesting and musical sound. Requires developed motor and reasoning skills to play effectively, but may be drummed upon as well. Watch very young children with the scraper as with any stick.
In our opinion, these are the best rhythm sticks on the market. Unbreakable – no paint to chip off, dishwasher safe, and light weight. They also feature a guiro-like ridges on one stick for scraping action. Makes a good baby-safe alternative striker.
This is a fun change from the norm with a good sound. A good addition to a growing collection. Plastic makes a sharp, pitched sound.
Easy for all ages to play with a nice, organic and alternative sound. Traditional African instrument. Replace immediately if over time instrument dries out and splinters.
Cool alternative shaker. May be best for older children for safety's sake. A small version for little hands is available.
A nice addition to a growing collection with a unique woody sound. As with all sticks, be cautious with young children.
Another good way to give babies an option to play successfully but with different sound and visual feedback than with the standard shakers. Nice opportunity for a metal sound with safer plastic casing.
Nice sound and one of the only pair of finger cymbals on the market in which the handles are not detachable (no choking hazard).
Triangles are an appealing choice for children. The familiar shape and ringing metal sound are very attractive to some whether or not they are ready to play them properly. This model has some safety features for young children. Even so, children under 3 should not use unsupervised.
This childsafe version of a Japanese Korkoriko offers older children an opportunity to apply their rhythmic skills to an instrument which is more challenging in motor and mental skill. Once mastered, the clatterpillar allows for great exploration in musicality.
An easier to use tambourine alternative. Another way to allow toddlers and babies to produce a different quality of sound using their shaking abilities.
Very durable plastic tambourine with cowhide head. Do not buy cheap plastic/paper tambourines. The inferior jingles have a terrible sound and the product will break quickly under the wear and tear of young children. Also avoid professional quality metal tambourines for safety reasons. Although, you may consider professional-grade wooden/cowhide tambourines. This could be a good investment for your family
Its important to include wood tones in your instrument collection and wood blocks, like this one, add the advantage of two-tone options which older children and adults can explore musically. Mallet is not approved for children under three and should be used with supervision only. Children may adapt safer strikers to play this instrument.
Beat competent children can exercise more advanced motor and reasoning skills with the two-tone possiblities this fun wood block offers. Most effective with children 3 and up. Younger children should only use the striker with supervision.
A good set of claves for kids. Gives wood tones, fits nicely in the hand for older children. Softer wood with a relatively gentle sound.
A larger tone block than the other we recommend for a different tone and hand feel. Mallet is not suitable for children under 3. Other strikers and sticks can be adapted for use with this tone block.
Fun and cute – very appealing to little ones. Certain fine motor skills need to be in place before a child can really play this instrument. Usually appropriate for children 2 and up although littler ones enjoy being played to and exploring the instrument.
Nice quality, plastic castanets with a strong, clear sound. Certain fine motor skills need to be in place before a child can really play this instrument. Usually appropriate for children 2 and up although littler ones enjoy being played to and exploring the instrument.
Traditional African basket shaker is fun and tactile and has an organic, restrained sound. If rattan dries over time and splinters, replace immediately.
This is the only place I have found these streamers which are much better for young children than streamers on sticks. Also, you can click the wrist rings together to keep a beat. The down side is the that the canvas streamers wrinkle and smush easily in storage.
We are not too particular about scarves. Some people prefer the all-silk floaty dancing scarves. I'm just as happy with easy-to-wash, smaller nylon juggling scarves which float in the air and are short enough for little people not to trip over. If you wore lots of scarves in the 80's you may have plenty of these to use for music time.
This oversized, floaty scarf can substitute for a parachute with a smaller group as it is easier to control with fewer adults/bigger kids. It also makes a fun and exciting addition to scarf-dancing. Imagine that the scarf is the wind or the water. Throw smaller scarves on top for a gentle game. Follow the floating scarves as you sigh in the tonality of a song to exercise vocal control.
This is a good deal for a very sturdy parachute. This is a smaller size which is more suited to a family than a regular class. Larger options are also available. Parachutes only work well in a family where at least three "big kids" or adults are able to participate.
