Musical toys to introduce to your baby
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- Wooden “Crow Sounder”
This toy has grown with our kids if for no other reason than it gives us an extra drumstick. But really it’s a wonderful instrument because it makes different sounds based on how you hit, thump, or rub the mallet across it. - Egg-shaped Percussion Shakers
Both of my girls have loved the hand-sized nature of these shakers. Plus since they’re filled with sand or a similar material, they make a unique sound when making music. The toy called Topsy Tumblers is a similar concept that you can use to make music with your kids! It also works on hand dexterity. - Ankle and Hand Rattles
Before your baby can even really get around, they can make music with their hands and their feet! Tey have wrist rattles and even socks that have rattles on them. - Rolling bell rattle
Especially as your baby learns to crawl, this is a great toy that also implements music. - Wooden xylophone
Since so much of music relates to math and ratios this is a great visual for kids as well to be able to correlate different sounds with different shapes and sizes.
You can also easily make some of your own homemade musical instruments.
Click on the image to find some of my favorite examples of homemade instruments.
A set of metal Ramekins (condiment cups) has been one of my best purchases in terms of homemade instruments. I use them for finger/hand cymbals for little ones, for mini drums, to make maracas/shakers with a rubber band and some tree nuts, and more. Beyond music they’re great for sorting activities.
Great music recommendations for babies and young toddlers
- Dance for the Sun – Kids’ Yoga Music – upbeat, but still calming music.
- Yo Gabba Gabba (If you don’t mind kids songs. They are really simplistic, repetitive, and follow basic patterns)
- Jack Johnson / Curious George – not too childish, but great for kids still
- Louis Armstrong – Soothing and a good speed to interact with as a child.
- I also typically like a lot of family and kids folk music as well as big band. They are usually cleaner, are upbeat, and easy to follow.
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
Mama D
I really enjoyed reading this. Music is so important to me and thankfully, both of my sons have a strong love for music already as they have been exposed to it since before they were born. I just finished writing a series of blog posts about music activities for little ones and I think this post would be a nice summary piece to share. So off to pin and share on FB 🙂
ALLterNATIVEliving
Thank you so much for your comment! I am glad that you enjoyed it and plan to share it. I absolutely love hearing when my research has positively impacted others. On my facebook site this past week, I shared about a 5 minutes video on how music should be viewed as a language and used daily with those that are much batter than ourselves. It is through TEDtalks if you are familiar. 🙂 Check it out if you are interested, and thanks again for the interest in my research and the wonderful comment!
Mary Catherine
I just loved your post, and I’ve already pinned it! I just don’t think enough people realize the impact music has on a child’s brain development, as well as the positive impact it has on other academic areas. Thanks so much for linking up at Stress-Free Sunday last weekend! 🙂
Melanie Maslin
This is so well written, thank you for all the research links as well. I also check out your TedTalks clip as well.
Kara Carrero
Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 I am glad that you liked it and that it was helpful to you!
Mary Andersen
This is such a great article thank you so much for using your time and talents to put it together and share it with everyone!!!