5 Musical Games to Play with Toddlers (No Musical Skills Needed)
The fastest way to turn musical toys into fun is to create a game. It's an easy way to turn a drum, a tambourine and a shaker from a random noise into rhythm, movement. Encouraging listening skills the moment you add a simple rule or two.
Here are 5 easy musical games you can start today, no music lessons or musical talent required.
Playing musical games with kids is not just fun, it also builds skills that carry into everyday life. Matching movement to rhythm develops coordination and body awareness. Listening for changes in sound sharpens focus and self-regulation, the same skill that helps a child pause before reacting. And letting them lead the music, rather than only following it, builds confidence and creativity. And it doesn't feel like a lesson, actually it can be a little silly!
What you'll need
- One drum or anything you can tap a steady beat on
- One tambourine
- Two or three different instruments with distinct sounds (a shaker, a set of bells, a xylophone)
- A bit of open floor space to stomp, jiggle and move your body.
1. Stomp to the beat
Drum a steady beat, fast or slow, and have the kids stomp along to match your pace. Speed it up and watch them try to keep up, slow it down and see if they can hold back. This is one of the simplest ways to connect sound to movement, and it works from toddler age right through to school age. (Adults can join in too)
A rainbow-striped wooden drum with two drumsticks sized for small hands. Loud enough to lead a stomping game, sturdy enough for daily use.
2. Grow tall
Set two simple rules before you start. One sound means reach up, up, up. A different sound means shimmy down, down, down.
A tambourine is perfect for this because it can make two distinct sounds on its own: bang, bang, bang to grow tall, then a soft tinkle, tinkle to shimmy back down. Kids quickly learn to listen for the change and react with their whole body.
Bang it for a bold beat, tap it gently for a soft tinkle. One toy gives you both cues for the grow tall and shimmy down game.
3. Close your eyes and listen
Show the kids each instrument first and let them hear the sound it makes.
Once they know a shaker from a bell from a tambourine, have them close their eyes and guess which one you are playing. This game builds listening skills and gives quieter kids a turn to shine.
A ukulele, tambourine, clapper, rattle and rainmaker in one set, each with a distinct sound. Ideal for a guessing game with plenty of variety.
4. Dance how you feel
Play a sound and ask a simple question: how does this make you want to move? Do you want to jiggle? Do you want to stomp? Do you want to jiggle and stomp at the same time?
There are no wrong answers here, the point is connecting a sound to a feeling and letting the body respond however it wants.
Try switching between a fast rattle and a slow, deep shaker to hear how the answers change.
5. Let the kids make the music
Once your child knows all four games, hand the instruments over to them.
Now they can be the one leading the beat for stomping, choosing the sounds for growing tall, picking what to play for the guessing game, and setting the mood for the dance.
Handing over control is often the moment a musical toy stops being a toy you play with them and becomes a toy they play with on their own.
Tips for keeping it going
| If this happens | |
|---|---|
| Kids get overexcited and just bang everything | Start with just one instrument until the rule is clear, then add more |
| A toddler is too young to follow the rules | Skip the rules and just let them explore the sounds, that is the whole activity at this age |
| The game gets boring after a few rounds | Swap who leads, or add a third sound and a third movement |
Frequently asked questions
What age are musical toy games suitable for?
Simple sound exploration works from around one year old. Games with rules, like grow tall and shimmy down, tend to click from around two to three, once a child can hold a rule in mind while moving.
Do I need real musical instruments?
No. Wooden toy instruments like a drum, tambourine or shaker make plenty of distinct sound for these games. You do not need anything tuned or professional grade.
How long should a musical play session last?
Young children tend to stay engaged for 10 to 15 minutes. It is better to stop while they are still enjoying it than to push on until they lose interest.
What if my child does not want to dance or move?
Some kids prefer to lead the sounds rather than move to them. Let them choose which game to play, and offer the guessing game or the beat-keeping role as an alternative to dancing.
Ready to start the band?
A drum, a tambourine and a mini band set will get you through all 5 games.
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- Helle.
Helle owns Lucas loves cars. Working with toys since 2012, she only sings in the shower, or in the car, with music up loud. Moving to the beat, that is something that happens all the time. Especially when she's shaking the sillies out.
