droolicious : musical instruments

Get Out Toddler Angst with Bongos

Lisa Mulcahy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

At first, the thought by buying bongos for a two-year-old seemed crazy. Who wants to hear that racket? But after being cooped up all winter with a lot of energy to burn I’ve changed my mind.

Kids, especially boys I think, need to get their frustration out. Sometimes it comes out in the form of hitting, biting and scratching. Not good, but something that I’m experiencing. So I’ve been looking for ways to get the anger out. Pounding on these great looking bongos, $19.99 from First Act, may offer some music therapy.

Start a Percussion Unit with Melissa & Doug Band in a Box

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:05:00 GMT

Poor kids: They’re always being told to be quiet. That is precisely why sometimes — even knowing the headache it may bring — the noise must be unleashed and encouraged. Present your children with a collection of clamor, the Melissa & Doug Band in a Box. For about $20, the wooden storage crate contains pretty much all the banging, thumping, clanking, dinging joy any kid would need. Participants can play the tambourine, a triangle, a rhythm stick, cymbals, maracas or one of those sticks with flaps that makes a clappy noise (is it just called a clapper? Anyone know?). In the incredibly likely event that the band doesn’t make beautiful music, rest easy knowing that some kind person invented acetaminophen. Take two and chill out till morning.

Coolest Musical Toy ... Ever?

Erin Behan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:35:00 GMT

There are fancy xylophones, there are cool toy pianos and then there is the Gloggomobil. Fawn & Forest gets it right when they say "This is probably the most original and educational toy that has ever been created." The Gloggomobil, designed by Herbert Bahli for Naef Toys, works on the principle of the barrel organ. When the studs on the barrel are struck, songs play. The musical instrument can also be played as a xylophone. As the musical creator, you move the pegs to create the music. At this point, you probably know that this is no $9.99 blue-light special. Nope, it takes Swiss craftsmen several days to create one of these babies, and it's priced accordingly. It's $899 at Fawn & Forest. Do note the 12-13 week lead time they'll need to ship one out.

Little Tykes Pop Tunes Guitar Is Pretty Cool

Erin Behan — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:56:00 GMT

When a kids' toy has a roomful of adults (in costume) mesmerized, then you know it's probably a good toy. This Little Tikes Pop Tunes Big Guitar Rocker went with a rather convincing Buddy Holly, and, sadly, had already been promised to another kid post-Halloween by the time I saw it. The strings works; it lights up; it's also pretty darn cheap for a toy that belts out some fun tunes like "Message in a Bottle" by the Police and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen. Sure, it's plastic, but every kid needs a couple of plastic toys to round out their sustainable wooden toy collection. Get it for $19.99 at Toys 'R Us.

Plan Toys Banjo for a Lil Steve Martin-in-Training

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:43:00 GMT

Plan Toys makes some sweet toys, like this Banjo. Like the rest of the line, the banjo is made of rubber wood from trees that have stopped producing latex and kiln-dried to insure little pests don’t make it from the forest to your home. Kids can strum and “tune” the strings, or drum on the hollow but sturdy body. And summer’s the perfect time for to keep little hands busy, and preferably practicing their new art outside.

Available from Amazon for $25.

Little Drummer Boy (or Girl): Drum Kit for the Kiddies

SunnyChanel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:53:00 GMT

Of course, I would prefer that my little one was drawn to a more subdued and tranquil musical instrument, like the recorder, acoustic guitar or pan flute. But the girl’s got rhythm and has a tendency to bang on objects as hard as humanly possible. Doing her interpretation of the Animal from the Muppet Show is much more up her alley than attempting to perform a sedate rendition of Ode to Joy on her Fisher-Price plastic piano. Enter this practical and aesthetically pleasing child’s drum kit, perfect for the little noisemakers in your life ($58.00). This kit may not save your eardrums, but it may save all your pots and pans.

For the Prodigy Who Has Everything: the World's Smallest Precision Electric Guitar

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:02:00 GMT

Eddie Van Halen had his "Little Guitars," and if you're hosting a budding shredder and feel that Toys "R" Us' instrument selection is just too cheap, too unwieldy or just not good enough for your Little Eddie, Hammacher Schlemmer is boasting the world's smallest precision electric guitar. At $799.95, this sucker's no starter axe, but its compact shape (just 26 inches from headstock to end of body) and 1 3/4"-wide, 20-fret fingerboard ensure that Junior will be practicing arpeggios and hammer-ons with the best of them. Of course, you could always use that $800 and get a real Fender or Gibson guitar (and amp, and pedal, and tuner...) the kid will grow into later.

Droolworthy: KidKraft Puts All the Favorites in This 5-Sided Cart

Mir — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:58:00 GMT

If only there was a toy that could combine just about everything a busy toddler likes to do... oh, wait, there is! KidKraft has created the ultimate toddler nirvana with this 5-sided activity cart ($71.31 at Amazon). In addition to being a just-my-size shopping cart facsimile, all of their favorite activities are right here on the cart in bright, sturdy wood: musical instruments, alphabet magnets, a shape sorter, maze, mirror and more. Not only is it a great idea in tight quarters, it means that more than one little set of hands can play at a time.

Make Music with Hand Bells

Mir — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:29:00 GMT

I'm really torn when it comes to kiddie instruments; on the one hand, yay for encouraging musical creativity! On the other hand, my aching head! But if you absolutely must offer up those educational music-makers, I daresay this musical hand bell set would be preferable to, say, a drum set. The 8-bell set comprises the entire Major C scale, and can be had for $35.95 from Quincy Toys.

Show Your True Feelings with a Harmonica Necklace

Mir — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:03:00 GMT

Everyone has That Person: The one who -- while childless -- never fails to gift your child with a drum set or a loud electronic toy every single birthday and Christmas.

Most of the time, That Person goes on to eventually have a child of his own. And when that child is old enough, you'll want to repay the generosity you've always been shown. But you're subtle; you don't want anything big or flashy.

So you'll buy one of these harmonica necklaces for just $7.95. It's only an inch long but plays eight notes. If you're really feeling the love, I suggest including an ice pick which That Person can use to gouge out his own eardrums.

Hand Made: My Little Lyre

Karen — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:34:00 GMT

A calm tone from your children comes at a price. This hand made lyre boasts a high price tag, but promises years of soothing music.

I can't see anything but it getting broken, and while I love the product, I'd certainly put it away when children cannot be supervised.

On sale now at Willowtree Toys for $149.

A Little Red Accordion : Just In Case Your House Is Too Quiet

chrisjordan — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:05:00 GMT

The website promises that this accordion is fun and festive in every way. I would add that it is the perfect gift for the child who has parents you really don't like.

$20 at Talulah Online

Musical Rocker for those Not-So-Quiet Times

Mir — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:03:00 GMT

I've always thought a kid-sized rocking chair is nice to give your little one a place to relax and settle down, but what do I know? Maybe it's a great place to rock out. This musical rocker ($149.99 at Mother Hubbard's Boutique) not only sports a brightly-colored musical theme, it's got a xylophone built right in. The attached mallet won't ever get lost, so I suggest purchasing it along with either earplugs or scissors.

Rockin' Kiddie Guitars

Mir — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:03:00 GMT

Let your budding virtuoso get his chops in style, with a sized-just-for-kids guitar from Stardust. Choose electric (£60) or acoustic (£30), both available in pink, red or blue. These half-size models are in standard guitar tuning and ready to play along with the big boys.

I can't think of anything I'd like less than a small child with his own amp (maybe a small child with his own amp and a handful of knives?), but the acoustic version might be a tempting alternative to investing in a piano.

[Hat tip: Babygadget]