Making music is an activity many toddlers enjoy, and what better to do it with than a toy drum! Toddlers love making a lot of noise, so a drum is sure to go down a treat! It’s never too early to start introducing a toddler to playing an instrument, and the drums are a great place to start. Drums are very easy to play and are a great way to encourage a toddler to express their creativity. Playing the drums will keep a toddler entertained for hours and is a great way to get them interested in music and rhythm.
But when choosing a toddler drum set, there a few things to keep in mind to ensure you pick one they will love. We’ll take a look at some of these factors below, as well as checking out some reviews of 15 of the best options out there. There is sure to be something here they will love!
Considerations When Choosing a Toddlers Drum Set
If you are buying a small drum set for your little one, there are a few important considerations to remember in order to choose one which is appropriate and that they will enjoy using. First, remember they are only young, so don’t choose some drums which are aimed at older players. A toy drum set should only have a couple of basic drums – you don’t need something with too many fancy features quite yet!
Also, look at the materials used to make the instrument. It needs to be quite durable to withstand the rough play toddlers might throw at it! You might also like to think about the features and any accessories that come with the kit. A stool to ensure proper posture when playing, and perhaps a set with lights or different sound effects is sure to go down a treat with a toddler!
Top 15 Drum Set for Toddlers
We will now take a look at some reviews of 15 of the best drums for younger children. There is sure to be something here for everyone.
1. Music Alley 3 Piece Set
The first pick is ideal for 3 year old drummers and above. It has a bass drum, two hanging tom-toms, and a cymbal, as well as a padded stool for them to sit at as they play. The set also comes with a pair of drumsticks that are lightweight for toddlers to hold comfortably. There are two color options to choose from – blue or black. This set is ideal for toddlers to learn on, and the size should last until they are around 9 years old, so it is sure to see plenty of use before being outgrown.
2. VTech Kidibeats Kids Drum Set
Our next pick is this very popular toy from VTech. It has three drum pads and one cymbal and also comes with two drumsticks to hit them with. Each pad makes a different drum sound and there are nine built-in tunes they can play along to. There are four different modes to play in and each can teach toddlers something new. They can learn numbers or letters, play freely, or follow along to the rhythms made by the toy. This toy is ideal for kids in the 2 – 5 years age range and it takes three AA batteries.
3. IQ Toys Drums
When it comes to drums for toddlers, this set is excellent because it is bright and colorful as well as made from durable plastic to withstand some rough play. There are four different drum surfaces to bang on and sticks and a foot pedal are included to help with this. The drum comes with a stool and it plays many different tunes, song extracts, and beats. So, toddlers will have a great time playing along to the different rhythms. The stool is 8 inches high and the drums are 24 inches high. Three AA batteries are required for operation.
4. ToyVelt 12 Piece Set
This comprehensive set of toddler drums consists of five snare drums, a cymbal, a bass drum, a stool, two drumsticks and a pedal for the bass drum. The set is ideal for toddlers around 2 – 3 years old and above and is ideal for starting to learn to play properly. The size is just right for kids this age, and the quality of the drums is excellent. They are made from durable plastic with chrome rims, and have a nice sound quality.
5. Best Choice Products Electronic Drum
This fun electronic drum set has various buttons to play different sound effects and to activate lights. So, toddlers can have hours of fun playing along to the different rhythms and making up their own musical masterpieces. As well as the two drumsticks, this set also comes with a fully-functional microphone so toddlers can even sing along as they play. Some of the buttons can be used to edit the sound effects so toddlers will love to experiment with the different sounds they can create.
6. Hape Rock & Rhythm
Our next toddler drum comes from top brand Hape, and it has many fun muscial sounds for youngsters to explore and enjoy. The set includes two drums, a cymbal, drumsticks and a wooden guiro in the middle. There are slots to hold the sticks when not in use, so they won’t get lost! Most of this toy is made from wood so parents can rest assured it will withstand the test of time.
7. The Learning Journey Bongo
Next up we have a colorful, lighting-up bongo drum from The Learning Journey. It is suitable for kiddies as young as 1 year old and has many different play modes to explore and enjoy. Toddlers can play in free mode or choose something like silly sounds, rhythm mode, or melody mode, so they can always learn something new as they play. They will love the colorful lights and all the different sounds this drum can make.
8. VTech Zoo Jamz
VTech has perhaps the best toddler drum set for younger players – this one is plastic and has colorful, light-up drums that are sure to capture your child’s interest. The drums light up as they are tapped and the set comes with drumsticks as well as a stool to sit on as they play. There are four different modes to play in, each of which is great for developing different skills. Some of the modes include free play, counting, and follow the leader. Toddlers will never get bored with this toy – there are 16 melodies and 6 songs included to sing or play along with. There are also four different drum styles to choose from and enjoy.
9. B. Toys Instruments Set
If you are looking for a toy drum set for toddler that also includes some other instruments, this set is perfect. The case itself is ideal for using as a drum, and drumsticks are also included to help with this. Inside, you can also find castanets, a whistle, a tambourine, and an egg shaker. So, this set is great for toddlers to make a band with their friends! Toddlers will love to hear the different sounds made by each instrument, and this toy is ideal for those as young as 18 months old.
10. 16 Piece Instrument Set
Here we have another set with many different instruments for a toddler to make their own band. There are 16 pieces in this set, including a xylophone, shakers, a triangle, a tambourine, maracas, and bells. The instruments are sized just right for toddlers and they come in a handy reusable carry case to keep everything neat and tidy when not in use. Toddlers will have years of fun playing with these instruments and working out how the different sounds can go together to make a musical masterpiece. The large number of pieces means this set is ideal for sharing with siblings or friends too.
11. Ashthorpe 5 Piece Set
Next up we have an awesome junior set which is ideal for kids in the age range of 3 – 12 years old, so you can be sure it will give many years of fun when bought for a toddler. The complete set comes with a bass drum, a snare, toms, cymbals, hi-hats, pedals, drumsticks, and an adjustable seat. This is one of the best sets to choose if you are looking to teach your toddler how to play properly in the near future, as it is a real drum kit rather than a toy. The materials used in making these drums are high quality and also look great.
12. Color Tree Drums
This small toddler drum kit comes with everything they need to start learning to play. It’s just like a real set of drums, only scaled down to suit a toddler. Everything is made from durable plastic with chrome rims. The set comes with five drums and one cymbal as well as sticks and a pedal. The drums are lightweight so they can easily be relocated if necessary. This is the perfect set for teaching toddlers the skills they will require to become a great drummer.
13. Fajiabao Drums
Next of our top toy drums for toddlers, we have this fun toy with many different modes to keep your toddler entertained for hours. There are four learning modes in total, as well as the freestyle mode in which they can play however they like. The drums light up when played, to keep toddlers entertained over and over again, and there is also a microphone attached so they can sing along as they play.
14. GP Percussion 3 Piece Set
Nearing the end of our guide to toddler drum sets we have one which might be best suited to girly-girls! It has three drums as well as a cymbal and a high-hat and a stool. The set also comes with a bass drum pedal, drum key, and drumsticks. The drums might be sized for toddlers and young children, but they are excellent quality and this is a great set for helping them learn to play properly. Everything is highly durable and can withstand years of use.
15. First Act Discovery Drum
The last pick on our list of toy drums for toddler is another fun pink and sparkly set. This one is sized just right for younger players and consists of a bass, tom, and snare drum, as well as a cymbal. There are useful accessories such as sticks, a drum key, and a stool, so there’s everything they need to get started right away. There’s also a learning guide included to help toddlers learn some basic drumming skills. If you’re looking for something for a boy, or a girl who doesn’t like pink sparkles, there is also a blue star option available.
Best Buy Overall
After checking out 15 great options, we have chosen the one which appears to be the best of all. The first on our list is the one we love most. It is a great size so it will last for many years and has a variety of types of drums to explore. It has all the necessary accessories so toddlers can begin drumming right away. The two color options mean there’s something to suit everyone and the drums are very good quality for the price.
Best Budget Buy
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly pick, we recommend going for the Kidibeatz from VTech. It has loads of educational and fun modes to explore and is sure to keep toddlers learning and entertained for hours. They will love the lights and the different fun sound effects this drum toy can make.
When Can You Put a Toddler in Drum Lessons?
There is no need to start formal music lessons when your child is still enjoying their toddler years – they will benefit much more from tuition when they get a bit older and have a longer attention span. It’s best to show your toddler the basics and let them experiment on their own than try and give them formal lessons quite yet. Perhaps a book showing some basic skills, or a beginner’s video on YouTube can help them learn some tips and tricks.
What Age to Get Drum Sets for Toddlers?
Whilst it might be too soon to start formal music lessons, the toys we have picked out above are suitable for even the youngest of toddlers. It’s best to check with the manufacturer of each individual product to ensure it will suit, but in general, these drums are great for kids up to the age of 4 or 5 years old.
Toddler Drums That Teach How to Play
When choosing a toddler drumset, you might be keen to find one that will help your little one learn how to play properly. In this case, you should choose a proper drum kit rather than a toy set. Check the quality of the materials used to make the drums. From our reviews above, the ones which are most likely to suit future rockstars are items number 1, 11, 14, and 15.
