So your little rockstar wants to make some noise? Get them a toddler drum set and let them loose because that music player may not be enough.
The drums is not be the first instrument that comes to mind when you think of music lessons for your child. But it could be the most enjoyable and easiest to get started with.
During elementary school, I was interested in both kids sports as well as music. I had been taking piano lessons on my own and had also tried the guitar as well. When I joined the school band, it was the drums and percussion that would peek my interest. It was different and empowering. I also got featured on my own solos during some of the performances. The drums were definitely a great choice.
The hardest part was having the equipment to practice on. I had space limitation at home and the number of equipment required was overwhelming. So I would only purchase a practice pad and resort to using the equipment provided by the school during band practice. Years later, I would regret this as it halted my enthusiasm for the instrument.
If you want your child to reap the benefits from playing the drums, go out and buy them the equipment necessary. We’ve done extensive research on it. So read on for a full guide on how to pick the best toddler drum set for your kid.
The Results
Best Overall Toddler Drum Set
Mendini by Cecilio 3-Piece Junior Drum Set
- Real tunable drums
- Durable materials
- Includes drum sticks, pedal and stool
Best for Toddlers
PlanToys Musical Band
- High quality and eco-friendly materials
- Noise is not overwhelming
- Will look great in the room
Best Junior Drum Kit for Toddlers
Gammon 5-Piece Junior Drum Kit
- Quality built
- Affordable
- Includes everything to get started
Best Real Drum Set for Older Kids
Pearl Roadshow Drum Set
- Premium quality
- Traditional drum sizes
- Impressive sound
Best Electric Drums for Kids
Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit
- Over 100 different sound options
- Includes amp and headphones
- Price
Best Individual Drum for Kids
Remo Kid Drums
- High quality and durable materials
- Can be played in various ways
Best For Compact Drum Kit for Kids
Alesis Compact Kit 4
- Portable and compact
- Includes built-in play-along songs
- Great sound
How to Choose The Right Junior Drum Set For Your Child
What is the right toddler drum set to get? This is not easy and could cost you a lot of money. But the following is a good guide to consider in determining the best toddler drum set for your child.
Age of Child
Age is the biggest determining factor on what kind of toddler drum set to get your child. It is important to remember that your child will grow faster than you can imagine. You don’t want to have something taking up all this space if they can’t use it anymore. In general, the older they are, the more serious they might be in playing the instrument.
Drum Sets for Babies
A good time to consider drums for babies is when they are rolling around. A fun, colorful toy drum could be a perfect way to keep them entertained during tummy time. Some that can grab their attention. Pick colors that they like. At this point, it is really just about introducing them to different sounds and showing them the process of playing a musical instrument.
Drum Sets for Toddlers
As they become older, you may want to introduce drums as a way to exert their excess amount of energy. For younger toddlers, they want to explore their creative side and a fun instrument like a toy drum could be what they need. Toy versions produce various sounds that are different from real drums, but they introduce to them rhythm and coordination.
Older toddlers may want to get more serious and consider a junior drum set. In most cases, junior drum sets are recommended for kids between 3 and 10 years old, although the height and reach of child is a more important factor. Junior drum kits are usually designed for kids under 150cm or 5 feet. Their material is usually flimsy, but they do offer a realistic drumming experience to learn from.
Drum Sets for Older Kids
When they are around 10 years old, kids are able to play mini-size drum kits from the big brands. These are built like the standard size ones but they are scaled down in size. They come in 5 to 12-piece kits and are more expensive than the junior drum sets. This is when your child may want to take drumming to the next level and you’ll have to consider more factors as listed below.
Acoustic or Electronic?
Acoustic drums are the real deal, but they are going to be loud. Your child will appreciate the authentic feel and sound but your neighbors may not. They also generally take up more space and are less portable.
Electronic drums are the other option. They are similar to acoustic drums but the sound is synthesized. You can listen to the sound through speakers or headphones and the sound level can be controlled. They won’t give the same feel but often take up less space and can provide various types of sound. Some additional sound affects offered could be fun for kids and the portability is and advantage.
Ideally, your child should go with acoustic drums if your living space and tolerance of noise allows for it.
Number of Pieces
Individual drums are good to start with and they can be purchased one by one depending on how much your child gets into it. They are easily portable and more budget friendly. Whereas a drum kit will be more flexible and allow your child to advance in their abilities quicker. You might think that getting a single drum to start with should be a no-brainer, but this doesn’t always help your child’s enthusiasm to the instrument. He might want to start banging away on multiple drums right away.
For beginner levels, drum kits come in 3 to 5-piece sets. This includes a snare drum, a base drum and at least one tom-tom. Cymbals are not included in the count but having at least one would be ideal. More advanced kits will have multiple snares and tom-toms and can go up to as many as 12-pieces. You’ll want more cymbals when you get to that point as well.
Accessories
Most drum kits will include everything you need to get started, but always check whether they include drum sticks, foot pedals, or a stool.
Size and Space
There is a fine balance in choosing the right size of kit for your child. If it’s too small they may outgrow it too quickly. If it’s too large they may have a hard time reaching the drums.
As for space requirements, even the most basic drum sets for toddlers will require significant floor space. Decide where the kit will be used and also consider placing carpet or a rug underneath to prevent sliding and to help absorb some of the sounds.
Noise and Sound
For more advanced drums, you’ll want to think about the type and intensity of the sound. See if the noise is adjustable or how it can be tuned.
How Serious Do They Want to Play Drums?
This will affect how much you want to invest in the instrument as well as the size of kit. Make sure you child is actually interested in drumming or you’ll have an expensive drum kit collecting dust in plain site.
The Best Drum Kits For Kids
Mendini by Cecilio 3-Piece Junior Drum Set (Best Overall Toddler Drum Set)
This toddler drum set from Mendini provides a perfect drumming experience for beginners. With a snare, a tom-tom, a bass drum (with pedal), and a cymbal, this kit gives a true feel for learning every aspect of playing the drums. You even get a pair of wooden drum sticks along with an adjustable padded stool.
The drums are made out of durable hardwood which provides quality combined with the fun. It produces a good sound that’s not overly loud and it doesn’t take up too much space. The kit comes in several different colors and is ideal for kids aged 3 to 8.
Other comparable alternatives to consider would be the ToyVelt 12 Piece Jazz Drum Set, and the Music Alley Kids 3-Piece Beginners Drum Kit.
Little Tikes Tap-A-Tune (Best Drum Set For Babies)
This little drum from Little Tikes may look simple but it’s anything but. Your baby can either play it with their own little hands or with the magic drum sticks that can be attached to the side. This is a useful feature to help avoid losing the separate pieces.
And not only can they hit the top of the drums, but they can also rub the drum sticks along the various patterns on the side to make different unique sounds that is bound to get a smile from them. This is a great piece to introduce percussions to your baby.
You might also want to check out other comparable drums for babies such as the VTech Zoo Jamz Stompin’ Fun Drums, Drumroll Please, and Bright Starts Light & Learn Drum with Melodies.
PlanToys Musical Band (Best Fun Drum Set for Toddlers)
This wooden eco-friendly toddler drum set is beautifully designed and the perfect drum set for a younger toddler to have fun with. PlanToys used leftover sawdust and wood chips to create their trademark environmentally safe products. It is also free from formaldehyde and chemicals.
Without any electronics or other bells and whistles, it’s more of a basic set. But the aesthetically pleasing look will probably entice your toddler to bang away at these drums. Good thing it’s built from high quality materials. The cymbals falls off if hit too hard. But this can teach your child how to control their energy while they hit various parts of the instrument with different strengths.
The size is not too large or heavy and can be carried around easily. It’s recommended for ages 3 to 6. Other great drums for younger toddlers are the HAPE Early Melodies Rock and Rhythm Band, VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set, and Prextex Kids’ Electric Toy Drum Set for Kids.
Gammon 5-Piece Junior Drum Kit (Best Junior Drum Kits for Toddlers)
If your toddler wants to get more serious about drumming then perhaps you can step up to a junior drum kit. This 5-piece from Gammon is an excellent starter kit at an affordable price.
It comes with the 5 essential pieces (1 snare, 3 tom-toms, and 1 bass) along with a couple of cymbals, which makes it easy and enjoyable to learn drums on. The built quality is great as this junior kit is ideal for kids who aren’t quite ready for a full-size set yet. It’s recommended for ages 6 to 10 and you can choose between 4 color options. Overall, it is a great value for an introductory toddler drum set.
Other junior drum sets to consider include ddrum D120B MB D Series Drum Set, GP Percussion Junior Drum Set, and Ashthorpe 5-Piece Complete Kid’s Junior Drum Set.
Pearl Roadshow Drum Set (Best Real Drums for Older Kids)
So your kid wants the real deal? Go with Pearl. Not just for the name alone, but, well, yes, because it’s Pearl. It’s one of the top suppliers of drums for a lot of your favorite rockstar drummers for a good reason.
The Pearl Roadshow drum set is a great entry level drum kit that can be used for a long time. This standard full-size 5-piece kit features a 16” bass, 12” floor tom, 10” and 8” toms, a 10” snare, a fully adjustable cymbal, Hit-Hat, and snare drum stands. It has everything your kid needs to start playing.
Children is recommended to be at least 3-feet tall, otherwise they can try playing standing up. It comes with different configurations, including jazz, fusion, and rock. It’s not cheap, but for the premium built quality and sound produced, it is a great value. This drum set is a great choice for more serious kids 10 and up.
Other comparable entry-level full-size drum kits include the Ludwig Accent Drive Series, Ashthorpe 5-Piece Drum Set, and Gammon 5-Piece Drum Set.
Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit (Best Electric Drums for Kids)
If noise levels are an issue, then you’ll want to go with this Nitro Mesh Kit from Alesis Drums. It’s fully electric and ready to rock.
It features a drum module that works like the brain for the 3 toms, a snare, controller hi-hat, two cymbals and the pedal. The set also includes an amplifier and headphones, which allows your child to explore himself creatively without disturbing anyone.
The toddler drum set is compact and offers realistic performance with its multiple pads. You can even connect the drums to a computer for additional drum controls. And the price is very affordable.
For these entry level electric drums, however, the sound output is the same regardless of how hard your child strikes the pads. It’s great for kids and for noise levels, but your child will not get a realistic feel.
You may also want to consider the Roland TD-1DMK Dual-Mesh Kit, PAXCESS Electronic Drum Kit, and Winfun Kids Fun Electronic Drum Set as well.
Remo Kid Drums (Best Individual Drums for Kids)
This floor tom is a fun and exciting drum without having to buy an entire kit.
The shell is made from a material made of sawdust and resin called acousticon, which gives an amazing authentic sound. Your child can choose to play with their hands or use the sticks that are included.
The best part about the Remo drums is their versatility. Everyone from toddlers up to adults love to pound away on these. You can also put different types together to create your own kit or drum circle. You can go with the Djembe, Bongo, Tubano, or the Gathering Drum.
Another individual drum to consider would be the Hape Little Drummer Kid’s Wooden Drum Music Set.
Alesis Compact Kit 4 (Best Compact Drum Kit for Kids)
This portable and compact kit is great for kids who love to bring their instruments and toys around with them. The design is great for tabletops.
It features 50 built-in play-along songs that help kids learn to play music right away. Like a music teacher. It also has 70 acoustic voices and 10 voice effects shown on an LCD screen. There are simple buttons for control so the overall uses is easy.
The speakers are powerful and produces quality sounds. But there is the option to plug in a headphone as well.
You can also consider the QoQoba Electronic Drum Set for Kids as another portable option.
Benefits For Learning Drums?
The drums are a great instrument for kids to learn. Mastering it can be challenging, but starting out is quite simple. Below are some of the benefits your kids will get from playing the drums.
Good For The Brain
Music in general is a great exercise for the mind, that opens up both the logical and creative sides of the brain. With drums, the coordination required to produce the rhythms can create more pathways between the cells in your child’s brain. This could lead to better performance in academics.
Confidence Booster
Sitting on a throne bashing away at the drums can make your child feel powerful. And as they learn the techniques, they build up confidence along the way.
Improve Coordination
Drumming requires the use of hands and feet in a coordinated manner, often at the same time. The timing and rhythm are key as well as spatial awareness (which drums to hit). Your coordination will improve the more you play.
Stress Relief
Drums can be good for emotional therapy. If they are angry or even happy, they may want to take out their emotions on the drums. They should feel better afterwards.
Reinforces Work Ethic
The structure, patience and discipline required to learn a music instrument will help build a strong work ethic for your child. This is something they will benefit from throughout their lives.
Good Form of Exercise
Drumming is definitely the most physically involved out of any instrument. If you ever watch Matt Cameron, Dave Grohl or any ordinary drummer go for it, they are constantly working up a sweat. At the very least, it’s an ideal way for your child to release all their energy with.
Safety Considerations
Kids can begin to learn the drums as early as 1. When they are starting out, you can show them the basics on how to hold the sticks, how to strike and how not to hit. It is also important to set up your drum kit correctly and that your child is the right size to reach for all the pieces. Make sure there are no loose or falling parts that can cause injuries.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions by parents about the drums.
When Can My Child Start Learning the Drums?
As soon as they can hold a drumstick, they are ready to rock n roll. At this point, they will naturally want to hit something with the stick. Why not a drum?
The earlier they start the better. It’s all about exposure to the instrument at the beginning. So maybe various types of percussion instruments can help introduce different sounds to them. When they are around 10 to 12 years old, they are typically big enough to transition over to a full-size kit.
Junior Drum Set or Adult Set?
This will depend on the age, size and how serios your kid is. The biggest difference is that Junior Drum sets are much smaller and the built quality and sound are not as nice. This is clearly reflected in the price. If you’re not sure, then the junior kits will save you money, but if your child is tall enough and serious about it then go for the real thing as it will last longer.
Are Drum Sets For Kids Easy to Set Up?
Yes, in generally, they are quick and easy to get up and running. Most of the parts sit on their own and just stand together as a kit. Make sure to take your time to avoid missing a step or misplacing parts.
Where Can My Child Learn to Play Drums?
The first option would be the school band if there is one. If not, then private or group lessons are another option. Find a local teacher from the local music store, community center or from an ad. Maybe someone can recommend a teacher. And there is always online lessons but they are generally less affective than in-person lessons.
Will My Child Need a Drums to Take Lessons?
It is entirely possible to go through a series of lessons without needing to purchase a drum kit. The teacher or music school may provide one during the lessons. But your child will need to practice. If you’re on a budget, then you can go for just a practice pad or electric pads. This is not ideal though as your child will not get the most of out his lessons. So the sooner you get them a drum kit, the better they will be off.
Can My Child Learn Drums and Another Instrument?
As long as they have the time available to practice and play, your child can learn as many instruments as they wish. The parents might need to consider the costs involved however.
Drum Roll Please!
You can’t go wrong with any toddler drum set from above. We would recommend investing into something that could last longer and that could kickstart an enjoyable hobby. Mendini by Cecilio 3-Piece Junior Drum Set is a great choice for this introduction.
But the key is to just give your kid exposure and the opportunity to be creative. Music is a gift that lasts a life-time. It’s not a bad idea to get your kids into it.
