10 Best: percussion instruments for toddlers

As I mentioned a while back, we’re lucky enough to attend a Music for Aardvarks class every Friday. One of the toddlers’ highlights is when the teacher, Emily, brings out her rainbow parachute full of percussion instruments, plonks it on the floor and they can shake, bang and clash to their hearts’ content. I come from an extremely musical background (I’m Welsh, say no more) and love sharing music with Alfie, so I’m always on the lookout for cool instruments. Here’s my round-up of the best I’ve found – one of each would give you a great comprehensive, and extremely colourful selection of percussion, or you could opt for a ready-made set – I favour I’m Toy’s Melody Mix, above, comprising drum, xylophone, castanets, triangle, tubular chimes, bells, guiro, shaker, claves and beaters. £44.95 from Wooden Toy Store.

Triangle and beater, £1.79, Hands On. Who doesn’t love the ding ding of the triangle at 6am?

Janod rainstick, £5.99, VUP Baby. An unusually relaxing piece of percussion. PS: Don’t forget to use the code BINO15 for 15% off.

Remo lollipop drum and beater, from £11.39, Kiddies Music. Makes a satisfyingly loud noise.

Meinl egg shakers, £6.02 for a set of four, Dolphin Music. The ideal size for little hands.

MES coloured wooden claves, £2.55 per pair, Stagecoach Shop. Two sticks may seem duller than dull, but claves are probably Alfie’s favourite instrument. Drum with them, bang or rub them together, roll them along the floor… The possibilities are endless.

Frog guiro, £4.99, B&T Music. This friendly little chap is my favourite – love the colours, love the croaky sound.

Clatterpillar, £7.56, Amusica. A colourful modern version of the Japanese Kokoriko. 

Tambourine, £11.95, Sleepyheads. An essential for any music box. Liking the Romany feel of this painted one.

Plan Toys fish castanets, £2.99, Babipur. Over-excited fish! Fun and a bargain – a brilliant toddler treat.

Branching Out maracas, £2.99 per pair, Treasure Island Toys. Total classics – every child should have a pair of these.

 

 

Tagged Amusica, B&T Music, Babipur, Branching Out, castanets, claves, Dolphin Music, drums, guiros, Hands On, I'm Toy, Janod, Kiddies Music, maracas, Meinl, MES, Music, Music for Aardvarks, musical instruments, Not On the High Street, percussion, Plan Toys, rainstick, Remo, shakers, Sleepyheads, Stagecoach Shop, tambourines, Treasure Island Toys, triangles, VUP Baby