Fun & Educational Musical Toys for Babies & Toddlers

musical toys for babies and toddlers

7 Top Picks

2 Reviewers

5.5+ Hours of Research

33 Options Considered

Music is a universal language that has captivated people of all ages for centuries.

Music can be a precious tool for babies’ and toddlers’ growth and development. It stimulates their senses, promotes brain development, and provides a fun and interactive way to learn rhythm, melody, and tone.

Fortunately, many fun and educational musical toys are available on the market designed specifically for little ones. In this review, we’ll look at some of the most engaging and innovative musical toys for babies and toddlers and explore how they can enhance your child’s learning and creativity.

So whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, let’s dive into the world of musical toys and discover the perfect one for your little music lover.

BEST MUSICAL TOYS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

1) Retruth Piano Mat for Toddler 1-3, Baby Musical Toys for 12-18-24-36 Months, Touch-Play Baby Toys, Floor Piano Mat

This musical piano mat is an ideal gift for children between the ages of 1-3, especially for toddlers 12-24 months old. It’s a unique and thoughtful gift that can provide hours of entertainment and help with a child’s development.

5 Reasons To Buy The Retruth Piano Mat for Toddler 

  1. The piano mat has ten keys a child can touch to create melodies. This feature helps to boost a child’s creativity and musical cognition.
  2. The piano mat offers eight instrument sounds and five modes to inspire a child’s musical interest. The touch-play mechanism allows children to enjoy hours of entertainment with the demo, one-key one-note, play, record, and playback modes.
  3. The piano mat is designed with a volume adjuster. It can be folded into a small size, making it portable and space-saving.
  4. The piano mat is made of soft, premium anti-slip material, ensuring the child can play safely without slipping or falling.
  5. Music helps toddlers develop their brains, memory, confidence, and creativity. This product enhances motor skills, improves hand-foot coordination, recognizes instrument sounds, and develops a child’s musical interest.

Highlight:

“My wife and I got this gift for our 1-year-old daughter. She enjoys it so much. We have a lot of fun playing with it. I would recommend this to my family and friends.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

43.3 x 14.2 x 0.5 inches

Instrument

Piano

Number of Keys10

Item Weight

12 ounces

Pros

  • Volume Adjustable, Foldable, Portable & Space-saving
  • 10 Piano Keys + 10 Built-in Melodies + 8 Instrument Sound and 5 Modes
  • Anti-slip Soft Material

Cons

  • It works with 3 AA batteries. And batteries are not included.
  • The flashing lights on the mat cannot be turned off. And these lights can distract your toddler after a while.
Check Current Price

2) Montessori Busy House, Wooden Busy Board Toy for Toddlers, Preschool Learning Educational Toys, Sensory Board for Life Skills and Fine Motor Skill Learning, Best Gifts for 3+ Year Old Boys & Girls

The busy house toy enhances fine motor skills as children engage with various small objects relevant to daily life, learning to identify and use them, such as zippers, switches, handles, and traffic lights. Children also learn about mechanical principles by playing with the manual gear, rotating it in different directions, and observing how the gears connect, fostering logical thinking. Additionally, the toy supports the development of musical cognition.

4 Reasons To Buy The Montessori Busy House

  1. The Multifunctional Montessori Busy House is a wooden learning toy that serves as a fun activity center for children. It features a variety of playable parts, including a spinner, latches, metal hasp, door, bell, wheels, switch, outlet, telephone, lock with key, shoelace, zipper, and more. It also has a big storage room inside to hold books and toys.
  2. This toy provides comprehensive skills training for children, helping to cultivate their practical ability, logical thinking ability, life skills, and fine motor skills. The house shape allows for 1-4 children to play together simultaneously.
  3. Assembly of the toy is simple, with assembly videos available online or instruction drawings included with the product. If there are any issues, the team provides first-class customer service and is ready to help.
  4. The Multifunctional Montessori Busy House is an excellent gift for children, providing hours of entertainment and education. It is suitable for family gatherings and parties. It can be given as a gift for important holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Highlight:

“My daughter enjoys her sensory play house. It was easy to put together. The materials are of great quality and every side has multiple items to play with. There is also a light inside and room for one or more medium sized stuff animals or dolls.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

21.2 x 12.2 x 10.5 inches

Educational Objective

Motor skill

MaterialWood, metal

Item Weight

13.72 pounds

Pros

  • The toy is made of solid wood, which is safe and non-toxic, and the edges are smooth with no sharp parts.
  • All in one activity center + storage space + color changing pressing lights + easy to move

Cons

  • The batteries are not included (3 AAA batteries)
Check Current Price

3) QSYY Kids Drum Set Toys, Musical Instrument Toys with LED Lights, Microphone, Stool, Piano

The children’s drum kit is designed with a working microphone, four types of volume adjustment, 24-key piano, and automatic sleep to help children learn music explore the sense of rhythm, and improve their interest and musical creativity.

5 Reasons To Buy The QSYY Kids Drum Set Toys

  1. The package includes a drum and piano, left and right snare drums, drumsticks, a foot pedal, a microphone stand, a chair, a music stand, a power cord, an MP3 cable, and a microphone.
  2. The drum set is an excellent musical educational toy for children over three years old, which can help develop skills such as color recognition, hand-eye coordination, motor skills and body movement, basic rhythm and musical skills, and sound and language development.
  3. The drum set features a glowing effect where pressing the piano key emits a brilliant light, and the drum surface has a flashing light effect. The kit is made of high-quality ABS and has rounded edges for safety and durability.
  4. The drum kit provides an opportunity for happy parent-child time, allowing parents and children to enjoy playing with musical toys and create countless happy moments.
  5. The cute electronic drum kit is a perfect gift for children. It can add luster to any party, festival, or holiday. It is suitable for musical toys, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving gifts, Valentine’s Day gifts, early education toys, preschool props, and more. It comes in exquisite packaging, making it the best childhood gift.

Specifications

Material

ABS and electronic components

Battery

4*AA batteries are required

InstrumentDrum

Color

Blue

Pros

  • The drum kit is made of high-quality, child-friendly ABS material, ensuring durability and endless fun for years.
  • It includes a working microphone, bass pedals, drumsticks, and a comfortable small chair.
  • Easy to assemble
  • Volume up + volume down + light button

Cons

  • 4 AA batteries are required (not included).
Check Current Price

4) Auby Busy Board for Toddler, Latches and Doors Busy Board with Sounds, Portable Educational Learning Toy

Auby Busy Board is an entertaining and educational activity play board that helps kids build dexterity as they navigate latches that twist, snap, and slide.

 

3 Reasons To Buy The Auby Busy Board for Toddler

  1. The busy board toys for kids are made of high-quality, colorfast ABS plastic material, ensuring long-lasting performance, and are non-toxic and BPA-free.
  2. Compared with heavy wooden busy boards, the size of the lightweight plastic game board is 11.8 “L x 11.8 “H, which is perfect for indoor and outdoor use and for keeping children busy and away from electronic screen games. 
  3. All the components of the tool, including its accessories, such as locks and latches, are designed without any sharp edges. This ensures your toddler can safely explore the device with their little hands without getting hurt or pricked.

Highlight:

“Keeps my 16 month old grandson busy and happy. Challenging so it will be engaging for a long time.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

11.8 x 11.8 x 3.54 inches

Theme

‎Architecture

MaterialAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Item Weight

2.33 pounds

Pros

  • BPA-free and non-toxic
  • Designed without any sharp edges
  • Enrich imagination + logical thinking + practical ability + focusing mind + color perception + hand-eye coordination.

Cons

  • It works with 3 AA batteries, which are not included in the product.
Check Current Price

5) Skip Hop Baby Toy Guitar, Farmstand Grow & Play, Rock-A-Mole Guitar

This adorable avocado guitar is a bit country and guac & roll! It inspires mini musicians with strumming riffs, fun tunes, and more.

 

4 Reasons To Buy The Skip Hop Baby Toy Guitar

  1. The guitar is designed to be easy for little hands to hold. Kids can simply spin the avocado’s “pit” or press the light-up buttons to create music and guac out!
  2. The guitar plays six songs and ten guitar riffs, providing various musical options for kids to explore.
  3. It requires 3 AAA batteries (included). The size of the guitar is 11 inches in length, 6 inches in width, and 2.75 inches in height (28cm x 15cm x 7cm).
  4. This musical toy helps develop fine motor skills and inspires mini musicians to explore the world of music.

Highlight:

“I bought this for my 1 year old that loves maracas and tambourines, they are so adorable and a great size for little hands! It’s such a cute alternative to regular maracas and tambourines.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

6 x 2.75 x 11 inches

Batteries

‎3 AAA batteries required. (included)

MaterialABS

Item Weight

9.6 ounces

Pros

  • With 6 songs and 10 guitar riffs, this musical toy provides children with a wide range of options to explore. Moreover, it helps develop fine motor skills and inspires young musicians to unleash creativity.
  • 3 AAA batteries power it, and the batteries are included.

Cons

  • It has no volume control, so it only has one volume.
Check Current Price

6) Drum Set for Kids with 2 Drum Sticks and Microphone, Musical Toys Gift for Toddlers

This drum set for kids comes with two drumsticks and a microphone, making it the perfect musical toy gift for toddlers.

4 Reasons To Buy The Drum Set

  1. This drum set for toddlers and kids features drums and cymbals that your child can hit with the included drumsticks. The realistic sound produced by the set will immerse your child in their world of music while increasing their interest in music and cultivating their musical talents.
  2. The drum set has multiple music modes, including ten beautiful songs, five hitting sounds with flashing lights, four types of funny sound effects, and three dynamic rhythms with simulation drum sounds.
  3. The drum set is designed by capable engineers and made of eco-friendly ABS plastic, non-toxic and odorless material. 
  4. The acoustics of the drum set and microphone are excellent. Your child can sing and play the drum set at the same time, which will fully develop their coordination skills.

Highlight:

“It’s very easy to assemble. It lights up when you hit it and each drum has it’s own unique sound. I like that i can control the volume level.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

15.7 x 7.87 x 6.49 inches

Brand

Homily

ThemeDrum

Item Weight

2.31 pounds

Pros

  • This drum set for kids features a "follow the lights" option, allowing children to play a song with little help.
  • The round-edging design helps avoid injury to your child, while the soft LED lights won't dazzle their eyes.
  • You can adjust the volume to your liking.

Cons

  • The set requires 4 AA batteries, which are not included.
  • When the device is turned on, it automatically starts at the loudest volume.
Check Current Price

7) VTech Kiddie Cat Cassette Player

4 Reasons To Buy The VTech Kiddie Cat Cassette Player

  1. Experience classic children’s songs in the styles of 80s rock ‘n’ roll, country, jazz, and the Alphabet Song.
  2. Build fine motor skills with two interactive fidget buttons that turn the tape, shake the beads, and wiggle the kitty.
  3. Discover three music styles and playful phrases, or press the Next button to move on to the next song, phrase, or melody.
  4. Control the kitty’s movements as it bounces and sways to the rhythm of the music, adding an extra level of excitement to playtime.

Highlight:

“Cute toy. The cassette part is nostalgic for me since cassettes are no longer used and kids of today don’t know what they are, so I’m pretty fond of this toy. My daughter likes it as she’s able to grip the handle and press the button down to move the kitty, roll the cassettes and play music.”

Specifications

Product Dimensions

1.97 x 4.76 x 6.73 inches

Batteries

2 AAA batteries required. (included)

ManufacturerVTech

Item Weight

3.68 ounces

Pros

  • Visual awareness + language development + motor skills.
  • Great size for small hands.
  • There is a button to switch through songs.
  • It has an adjustable volume.

Cons

  • Two AAA batteries are required. However, the included batteries are for demonstration purposes only. Therefore new batteries are recommended for regular use.
Check Current Price

Why are musical toys good for toddlers?

Musical toys can be an excellent tool to help toddlers explore the world around them and learn new things. They offer a unique sensory experience that can help engage a child’s senses and provide a multi-sensory learning experience.

  • Develops Fine Motor Skills: Playing musical toys can help toddlers develop their fine motor skills, especially when they play instruments that require finger movements like piano, guitar, or xylophone. This can help them with tasks such as writing and drawing.
  • Boosts Cognitive Development: When toddlers play with musical toys, they are exposed to various sounds and rhythms, stimulating their brain development. This can help with memory, language, and overall cognitive abilities.
  • Enhances Creativity and Imagination: Musical toys can help toddlers express themselves creatively and use their imagination. They can create their songs or develop new ways to play with the instruments.
  • Encourages Social Interaction: Playing musical toys with others can encourage social interaction and communication skills in toddlers. They can learn to take turns, share, and work together to create music.
  • Improves Mood and Emotions: Music has been known to affect mood and emotions positively. Playing with musical toys can help toddlers release stress and anxiety and promote well-being.

At one year old, a child is still in the early stages of developing their motor skills, so they may not have the physical ability to play traditional instruments. However, there are several instruments and musical toys that are appropriate for a child of this age:

  • Singing: Singing to your child is a great way to introduce them to music. You can sing lullabies, nursery rhymes, or any other songs you like. Encourage your child to join by clapping or swaying to the rhythm.
  • Homemade instruments: You can create simple tools at home using household items. For example, you can fill plastic bottles with beans or rice to make shakers or make drums by covering a cardboard box with paper and using wooden spoons as drumsticks.
  • Rhythm sticks: Rhythm sticks are simple wooden sticks that can be tapped together to make a rhythmic sound. They are a great way to introduce your child to basic rhythms and patterns.
  • Water play: Water play can be a fun and musical activity for young children. You can fill different containers with water and show your child how to make different sounds by tapping the containers with their hands or other objects.
  • Singing microphone: A toy microphone that plays music and has a built-in speaker can be an excellent way for a child to feel like a superstar while singing along to their favorite songs.
  • Dance scarf or ribbon wand: A colorful scarf or ribbon wand can be a fun way for a child to dance and move to the music. You can encourage them to make up their dance moves or follow along to their favorite songs.
  • Musical storytelling toy: Some toys incorporate music and storytelling, such as plush toy that plays songs and tells stories about musical animals or characters.
  • Toy pianos or keyboards: Toy pianos or keyboards are classic musical toys that can be a great way for toddlers to explore making their music. Many models, with large, colorful keys and simple melodies, are designed specifically for young children.
  • Percussion instruments: Percussion instruments like tambourines, maracas, and drums can be a fun way for toddlers to experiment with making noise and rhythm. Look for instruments that are sturdy and easy for small hands to grip.
  • Musical activity tables: Activity tables with built-in musical features like buttons to push, keys to press, or levers to pull can be a fun way for toddlers to explore cause and effect while making music.
  • Musical stuffed animals: Many stuffed animals are available that play music when squeezed or hugged, which can be a comforting and entertaining toys for young children.

Montessori education emphasizes hands-on learning experiences that allow children to explore and discover the world around them. While musical toys can provide some educational benefits, whether or not they are considered Montessori depends on how they are used.

Montessori education focuses on using simple, beautiful, and meaningful materials for the child. Musical toys designed with these principles can be used in a Montessori classroom to help children develop their sense of rhythm, pitch, and melody.

However, it is important to note that Montessori education does not rely solely on toys or materials for learning. Instead, the focus is on creating an environment that supports the child’s natural curiosity and encourages them to explore and learn through hands-on experiences.

Author