That Actually Build Real Music Skills!

Let’s Talk Instruments (Because I’m Slightly Obsessed!) I’ll admit it…I’m a little biased—and honestly a lot obsessed—when it comes to instrument play in early childhood.

Because truly? The benefits of playing musical instruments in the first years of life are incredible.

We’re talking support for:

Language and early literacy
Motor skills (both fine and gross motor)
Coordination and bilateral movement
Emotional expression and regulation
Listening and focus
Early math skills like patterns and sequencing

And here’s the best part:
👉 You don’t need a music room full of instruments.

In my 25+ years of teaching, I keep coming back to the same 4 simple instruments (plus one bonus) that give little ones the strongest musical foundation through play.

Before we get started, please be sure to SUBSCRIBE for more simple and real preschool music ideas.

Now, for the BIG FOUR!

🥚Egg Shakers: The Go-To First Instrument for Little Learners

You know them. You love them. And there’s a reason they show up everywhere.

Egg shakers are one of the best first instruments for toddlers and preschoolers.

Why I Love Egg Shakers

Easy for little hands to hold
Lightweight and simple to play
Usually not overwhelmingly loud (a win for everyone!)
Super accessible and affordable

Also—tiny but important—no handle. Which means less risk of poking eyes or enthusiastic chewing mishaps compared to maracas.

What Kiddos Learn with Egg Shakers

Tempo (fast vs. slow)
Dynamics (loud vs. soft)
Freeze/rest (this is HUGE musically!)
Connecting movement to music

Are they perfect for clearly playing complex rhythm patterns? Not exactly.

Do kiddos care? Not even a little! And older preschoolers can absolutely start practicing control and focus with them which is a bonus as they mature.

See them in action: Where Is Shaker?

Because egg shakers are so easily accessible–both to get and to play–I always incorporate them when starting a new session of music classes. See them in action in a FREE full music class.

🪘Drums: The Absolute Boss of Rhythm & Steady Beat

If I had to pick one instrument for teaching true rhythm skills, drums win every time.

Why Drums Are So Powerful

They give the clearest sense of steady beat
They make rhythm patterns easy to hear and feel
You can DIY one in seconds (upside-down bowl, oatmeal tub, pot!)

And the Hidden Magic… Emotional Regulation

Drums are amazing for helping kids process big feelings.

Loud + fast (forte, presto) → get the energy OUT
Soft + slow (pianissimo, largo) → calm and reset

All the Ways We Play (This Is Where the Magic Happens)

In my opinion, a missed opportunity in drum-play with little ones is allowing for exploration. First of all, we never play with drum sticks (this is harder to control for little ones and then you miss out on some of the experience)!

We don’t just “hit” the drum. We:

Pat
Tap
Brush
Knock
Tickle (always a favorite!)

This gives kiddos:

Tactile input (different touches)
Auditory input (different sounds)
Proprioceptive input (how much force they use)

Plus—alternating hands = bilateral coordination (super important for development!).

See it in action: We Can Drum

🔔Jingle Bells (Especially Wrist Bells!): Instant Movement + Music

This might rock your world a little. This might be slightly controversial: Wrist bells might actually be an even better first instrument than egg shakers. (Gasp!) And yes, they can and should be played outside of December and for more than just Jingle Bells.

Why Wrist Bells Are So Great

They can be worn (no dropping every 2 seconds)
Even babies can use them
Movement = instant sound creation

What Kids Practice with Bells

Tempo awareness
Body movement and coordination
Focus and listening

Similarly to our other shaking instrument, the eggs, bells aren’t the best at creating and hearing clear rhythmic patterns or different dynamics. But, in some ways, this is also great. It actually becomes a good thing as it creates opportunities for kids to practice control and focus as they grow.

See them in action: Shake Your Bells!

🥢Rhythm Sticks: My Forever Favorite (And Yes, I Have Opinions!!)

And yes, they’re the hardest to find an image for! But I am willing to fight the fight. Rhythm Sticks: the hill I will absolutely die on!

NOT ALL RHYTHM STICKS ARE CREATED EQUAL (OR ARE EVEN RHYTHM STICKS!) I said what I said.

The Right Kind of Rhythm Sticks:

One smooth stick
One bumpy (textured) stick

This is what gives you true sensory + musical play.

Two smooth sticks? Those are closer to lummi sticks or claves (also wonderful—but different!).

Why Rhythm Sticks Are SO Powerful

Clear beat and rhythm practice
Bilateral coordination
Motor skill development
Multisensory learning (touch + sound + movement)

The one bummer about rhythm sticks is they aren’t DIY-able, and unfortunately, the cheapest ones are so not worth it. (Your kiddo could get splinters!) But the good news is, you can get my favorite pair for around $5.

Made by LA Special, they’rea 8 inches long, don’t chip and, when played properly, they can last forever. (I do earn affiliate commission when purchased through these links.) SO worth it. My other favorites for an individual kiddo playing are a 10 inch plastic pair made by Westco . They are indestructible but are definitely too fortissimo for group-play.

Learn more: My Rhythm Sticks Ted Talk (it’s short)!

I LOVE rhythm sticks in early childhood music! But there is a correct to introduce them and use them with little ones! How to Introduce Them Safely

See them in action! I Have My Little Sticks

Bonus Instrument: Xylophone (Because We Need Pitch Too 🎶)

The BIG FOUR are clearly focused on steady beat and rhythmic play, so they’re not covering pitch (an obviously very important component of music. Without pitch, we can’t have melodies…songs! That’s where the simple yet powerful xylophone comes into play!

Why Xylophones Matter

Help kids hear and match pitch
Support singing development
Introduce melody in a hands-on way

I especially love a C Major xylophone! Try this at home!

You Really Only Need These 4!

If you’re wondering where to start, keep it simple:

Egg shakers
A drum (DIY counts!)
Wrist bells
Rhythm sticks
(Optional) Xylophone

That’s it!! With these instruments, your child is already experiencing:

Beat
Rhythm
Movement
Dynamics
Pitch

👉 That’s real music learning. Not watered down. Not just noise.

Want Me to Show You Exactly How to Use These?

If you want your child to actually learn music (not just shake things or bang on them randomly), I’ve got you!

🎥 Watch a FREE full preschool music class here

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Best Musical Instruments for Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 1–6)