5 Musical Toys for Your Child this Holiday Season (That Won't Hurt Your Ears or Wallet)

I love making my kids' Christmas stockings! Whether you do stockings or little presents for Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or literally any other occasion, here's some ideas for some quality (yet affordable) items for your kids that:

• Will look super cute!

• Will be played with long after the holiday is over

• Are legit tools to help your child's musical development

(I provide the music-teacher reasoning behind each one)

• Won't hurt your ears 😉👍 (I'm a parent, too — I got you)

(I'm an Amazon affiliate so I may get a small commission if you use the links below to purchase, at no extra cost to you)

1. 6 Piece Set of Wooden Egg Shakers 

How cute are these?!?

Egg shakers don't just make a sound- they also provide a tactile way to feel the beat. There's a reason they're a classic in every early-childhood music class.

Plus these are so bright and cheery, the perfect addition to a child's stocking!

2. Silk Scarves

When you wave them through the air to the beat, scarves make a beautiful visual representation of beat that children (and adults) are mesmerized by.

This particular set I purchased for my own kids 3 years ago, and they have since become:

• a replacement for plastic Easter grass (can I get an Amen?!)

• superhero capes

• slings for "broken arms"

• "picnic" blankets

• wrapping for birthday and Christmas presents

• "lava"

and more I'm sure . . . these scarves are really big, a nice size, and they're a wonderful material. I can personally vouch for these!

3. 8-Key Mini Kalimba

Not quite as loud as a recorder 😬 and no wrong notes!

Kids love making up their own songs on these, and the tones are such that pretty much anything sounds pleasant. I love giving kids the agency of creating their own songs, not just teaching them songs that already exist.

For a child age 7ish and up, you might pair it with a book that teaches them different songs to play.

4. Frog Guiro

Does your kid love frogs like my son? They will LOVE this froggie guy.

Imagine him peeking out of the stocking!

This is another percussion instrument that provides a great tactile experience of rhythm.

5. "Baby Bach" Sound Board Book

Kids love sound books- the buttons! The sounds! And this one has animals (a hippopotamus for Christmas!)

Many kids don't get a chance to hear classical music. This book plays excerpts from some of Bach's best-loved music. Your child may ask to listen to "dada DA da DA da DA da" (Cello Suite No. 1) after reading this book with you, and then you can play it for them on your smart speaker and watch them dance their little heart out.

You might be surprised at the variety of music your child enjoys!

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Have fun and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Blessed Solstice, or whatever holiday you are celebrating!