Kids make music all the time – singing, clapping, dancing – they have no inhibitions and it’s wonderful to see them express themselves through music!
momstown Finds has been on the lookout for quality, durable musical toys to suit all ages – here are some of our favourites:
Babies & Toddlers
The Fun with Friends musical table from Fisher-Price is perfect for those cruising babies and exploring toddlers. Four interactive learning centres engage and entertain, with over 50 sing-along songs, tunes and activities.
The Learn & Groove counting maracas from LeapFrog are a great tool to help teach numbers and colours -all while encouraging shaking and movement. Easy to grasp and shake for the littlest musicians.
A simple wooden tamborine is an easy way for toddlers to make music – great for little hands and is a kid favourite for years to come. Bring on the marching band! Available at Mastermind Toys.
Preschoolers
A band set from Melissa & Doug is a great way to encourage social play along while making lots of noise!
A percussion set like this one from Plan Toys lets kids experiment with the different sounds of the maracas, tambourine, guiro, and castanet. Also offers an opportunity to teach colours through musical play.
If you've got the space, this giant walk-on piano rolls out for great musical and gross motor fun! Teaches simple rhythms and note – we think the adults will enjoy it too! Available at Mastermind.
All ages
Pick up an egg shaker – you can't help but shake it! These classic shakers from LP RhythMix are a standard in many young children's music classes are a simple but effective way to teaching rhythm and just have fun. So easy to hold and move around with – and the delicate sound is music to a parent's ears as well.
Favourite Music
Whether it's marching around the family room or listening in the car, here are 3 picks for music to inspire and entertain kids (without driving the parents crazy…)
Parents raised in the early 80's will remember Marlo Thomas & Friends "Free to be You and Me"… and even it's not nostalgic for you, kids and parents will love the stories and songs that make this a very unique collection – all about loving yourself for who you are!
Michael Mitchell is a popular entertainer in school gymnasiums across the country – his songs are all about Canada and he reprises familiar favourites like This Land is Your Land. You can download online or purchase his music here.
Kids' CBC brings popular artists into Mamma Yamma's market to make music – and they've put together a great collection of songs that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy! Barenaked Ladies, Sarah Harmer, and Great Lake Swimmers are just some of the artists featured.
We couldn't leave this Friday Finds without a plug for momstown's homemade musical crafts – lots of great ideas to inspire music and movement.
