Best Musical Toys
Have you noticed your baby’s eyes light up when you turn on music? Does your toddler like to rock out when they hear their favorite song? It’s no coincidence.
Most babies and toddlers love listening to music, and for good reason. Hearing is one of a baby’s first senses to fully develop, and, just like us, little ones love listening to songs, rhythms and beats.
As early as when they’re still in the womb, your little one can reap the benefits of listening to music. Music can help your baby and toddler with everything from creativity and language development to memory and emotional intelligence. Music can help soothe a crying baby or lift the mood of a cranky toddler. Some studies even suggest music should be part of therapy for premature babies because it can aid in development and weight gain.
There are lots of ways to enjoy music with your little one. Something as simple as incorporating music into your baby’s bedtime routine or spending a few minutes each day rocking out (literally and figuratively) to your favorite tunes can help with soothing and comforting your babe. And as you reach the toddler years, music can become a much more interactive experience. Toddlers love learning through musical play by singing and rhyming together and making their own music.
When it comes to the best musical toys for your baby and toddler, we’ve rounded up our favorites that will make it easy for you to incorporate music into your everyday routine. So have fun and rock on! (Just be sure to pick up some earplugs somewhere along the way.)
Shake, Rattle and Roll
These adorable animal shakers are the perfect way to introduce music to your growing baby. The bright colors will immediately capture baby’s attention, and the fun noises (each animal makes its own unique sound) will keep them coming back for more. The larger size and grippy rubber patches make them easy for little hands to hold, and they stand up on their own, so they’ll be great for pretend play as your little one gets older.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 3 months+ |
A Classical Primer
Let your little one control the playlist with this on-the-go toy complete with classical melodies, lights and, best of all, parental volume control! Babies and toddlers alike will love pressing the buttons to play one of the seven different classical tunes. It’s the perfect size for tossing in your stroller or diaper bag for whenever you need to keep your little one entertained.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 3 months+ |
Double the Fun
This brightly colored toy offers two ways to play: toddlers can use the mallet to pound the balls and send them sliding down the xylophone, or pull the xylophone out to play it solo. Either way, playing this instrument helps babies develop hand-eye coordination, dexterity and, of course, sweet music skills.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 12 months–3 years |
Band on the Move
Looking to take the band on the road? This colorful, portable drum handily stores everything your toddler needs to play their act on the go. There are seven instruments, including castanets, a whistle, a shaker egg and more for hours of jamming. The drum even has a neck strap so your little one can lead the parade. Just keep in mind that you may want to hide this one during naptime!
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 18 months+ |
Avocado Rock!
Turns out, avocados are good for more than just guacamole! This avocado-guitar mash-up (pun intended) is sized just right for your tiny guitarist, with three light-up sound buttons and a pit that’s perfect for strumming. It features six songs and guitar riffs for your little one to rock out to (though we can’t guarantee perfect fingering technique).
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 6 months+ |
A Symphony of Sounds
Bring the orchestra right to your baby’s fingertips! This light-up ball features five “instruments,” easily activated by a simple touch, and one full orchestra button that brings it all together. There are eight Mozart compositions included, so your little one will never get bored—and a volume control switch to save your ears.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 0 months+ |
Get Meow-sical
This cat-shaped keyboard has everything your toddler needs to compose their first piano masterpiece. The keyboard plays a host of different beats and sounds (including tuned meows!), has a record button for playback later and even comes with a microphone for singing along. It’s the perfect toy to grow along with your child for years of musical fun.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 2 years+ |
Movin' and Groovin'
Activity tables are a fun, engaging way for your baby to start exploring basic concepts like letters, numbers and colors through sounds and songs. This one teaches all that through music, packed with features like a mini keyboard, a guitar, a french horn and a drum. And it teaches in three languages with English, Spanish and French modes! The legs can be popped off for floor play, then replaced when your little one is ready to stand.
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Ages 6 months+ |
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