Do you have a budding musician in your family? Or do you know someone whose child loves making noise? For children, listening to—and making!—music is a very important step in their development and growth. It helps develop many different skills, such as listening skills, language skills, math skills, and more! It introduces children to rhythm, and can help relieve stress when things just aren’t going their way.
Making music gives children an opportunity to be creative, whether it involves shaking maracas while another friend is playing with a drum, or simply pecking the keys on their first piano. Here are some great toys children can use to create their own music!
1. Rainbomaker (8″)
The Rainbomaker creates a combination of sound and color that children will love! ($11.95, Item#94453 )
2. Learn to Play Piano
The Learn to Play Piano from Melissa & Doug features 25 keys and spans two octaves! It’s a great first piano for little Mozarts. It comes with a songbook and a color-coded key chart to help children learn the keys. (On sale! $55.96, Item #00967)
3. Band in a Box 
This kit includes maracas, a triangle, a set of hand cymbals, a tambourine, a clapper, and rhythm sticks to help your children create their very own band! ($24.95, Item #12774)
4. Zoo Rhythm Instruments (set of 7) 
This fun rhythm instrument set includes seven animals that your children might see on a zoo trip—in wooden form! It includes an elephant drum, crocodile guiro, shark bells, whale jingle, cow tone blocks, and more! ($79.95, Item #60721)
5. Ukulele (stripe design) 
Use this fun Hawaiian instrument to teach children the basics of playing a stringed instrument! It comes with a pick to enhance playing! ($29.95, Item #141280)
6. Chimalong Jr.
This 8-note metallophone from Woodstock Percussion helps children learn about tone and pitch! ($39.95, Item #18004)
7. Wrist Bells 
Wrist bells are a great addition to any band set your children might have! They can strap it on to their wrist with the easy Velcro closure and shake away! ($3.95, Item #1131)
8. Wave Drum
Create fun water sounds with the wave drum, like ocean waves, waterfalls, or rolls of thunder! ($21.95, Item #40791)
