11 best musical toys to grow your child’s love of classical music

13 March 2020, 17:38 | Updated: 13 March 2020, 17:53

Is your tiny tot a mini Mozart in the making? From magic pianos to croaking frogs, here are some of our favourite toys to help get them started.

Musical toys are the perfect tool for introducing your little one to new sounds and instruments, and for improving their communication and brain responses.

Here’s our selection of some of the best toys around to begin your child’s musical journey...

1. Mozart baby cube

   

   With this smart educational toy, you can bring the whole orchestra to your child’s fingertips. It teaches how sounds combine to create eight Mozart masterpieces, and features the harp, French horn, piano, flute and violin. Its sides even light up to the tempo of the music.

   Read more: 27 pieces of beautiful classical music home decor >

2. Music box record player

   

   First introduced in 1971, the Fisher-Price Music Box Record Player has been a hit with children for decades. Complete with five double sided records and a turntable with a “needle”, it comes with ten timeless melodies for kids to enjoy.

   Read more: The best classical music for children >

3. Wooden kazoo

   

   With its bold colours and fun sounds, this sustainable wooden kazoo found in the Royal Opera House shop will be sure to keep your little ones entertained. Plus, it’ll only put you back £10.

4. Croaking frog

   

   Carved using the wood of acacia trees found in northern Thailand, this colourful guiro frog has been designed with grooves to make it croak as kids brush the mallet across its head and back.

5. Mini drum kit

   

   Is your child showing signs of a natural sense of rhythm? If so, get them drumming and experiment with beats using this triple drum set, complete with a mini cymbal and two easy-grip drum sticks.

6. The Snowman and the Snowdog tonies

   

   Take kids on a magical adventure with these Snowman and the Snowdog-themed tonies. They magnetically attach to a ‘toniebox’ and allow little ones to choose between audiobooks, music and interactive audio.

7. Magic touch piano

   

   Who doesn’t a love a tiny magic piano? This adorable toy from Baby Einstein and Hapes comes with three sheets of music and allows budding pianists to create their own tunes or play along with classic melodies, without the need for buttons or keys.

8. Rainbow recorder

   

   With its bird-like sound and rainbow design, tiny tots will love learning to play their first recorder. A firm favourite with composers like Bach, recorders are light, easy to carry around and children can spend hours playing solo or together in a duet.

9. Djeco animambo set

   

   This vibrant set of wooden instruments from Jojo Maman Bébé includes a tiny tambourine, maraca and castanet. Perfectly sized for small hands, they’re an ideal first collection of instruments for your baby to shake, click and bounce around to.

10. Piano dance mat

    

    Pre-programmed with five pieces of music, this cute piano dance mat from FAO Schwarz lets children play the piano with their feet and record their creations. A popular choice with parents, it’s a fun and easy way to tune your child’s musical ear.

11. Mini trumpet

    

    If you’re keen to share your love of brass with your baby, this tiny trumpet is ideal for budding musicians. It features several pre-set tunes, buttons and comes with two modes, easy play and rhythm.