As a mom of four, I know that music is a huge part of our family’s life. We play music constantly in our home, and I’ve always encouraged my kids to express their creativity through rhythm and song. We even have a dedicated “music zone” in our playroom, where each kid can explore different instruments and sounds. My 14-year-old daughter loves to sing, and my 8-year-old, Lia, participated in her school’s first talent show this past spring! Our monthly family karaoke nights are legendary, filled with giggles, impromptu dance moves, and sometimes even a little sibling band competition.
I’m always on the lookout for toys that can help foster this love for music, especially for my younger kids, and VTech and LeapFrog have some fantastic options. Here are our family’s top picks for music-loving toys that make great gifts for budding musicians!
Interactive Storytime for the Little Ones
VTech Animal Rhymes Storytime (9-36 months) The Animal Rhymes Storytime is a perfect introduction to music and rhythm for my littlest ones. This interactive book combines adorable animal friends with catchy nursery rhymes. The textured tabs on each page encourage fine motor skills, while the light-up buttons introduce colors, animal names, and cheerful melodies. I love how portable this toy is—it even has a little handle, so my twins can carry it around and bring the music wherever they go!
Animal-Themed Musical Instruments
VTech Zoo Jamz Giraffe Piano (1.5-4 years)
The Zoo Jamz Giraffe Piano is an absolute hit in our house! With this cute giraffe, my twins can learn to play along to 20 songs as the keys light up, introducing them to basic sheet music concepts. Plus, this isn’t just a piano—it also has violin, xylophone, and saxophone sounds. They love switching instruments mid-tune for their own remixes. The built-in microphone lets them sing along, and with DJ sound effects, they feel like little music producers. This is usually their go-to for our family karaoke nights—watch out, world!
VTech Zoo Jamz Doggy Xylophone (1.5-4 years)
Another favorite in our music zone is the Doggy Xylophone. My twins love creating their own music by tapping the colorful bars, and it’s great for developing hand-eye coordination. This adorable xylophone also offers three modes: free play, learning sequences, and song play. They enjoy pulling it around and jamming wherever they please. It’s so cute to see them get excited and even try to teach each other the songs they learn. Little do they know they’re already developing some serious music skills!
Jazzy Sounds and Colorful Maracas
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Jazzy Saxophone (18-60 months)
Hey, cool cats and kittens, let’s jam with the Learn & Groove Jazzy Saxophone! This colorful, light-up saxophone has become a staple in our music zone. The kids absolutely love playing with Jazzy Cat, the adorable character who guides them through saxophone sounds, bass, clarinet, accordion, and even jazzy meows! My twins also enjoy the two double-sided music cards, which let them play popular songs. They can blow into the mouthpiece for silly sound effects, and the bell lights up in fun colors. It’s the perfect way to introduce young ones to music!
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Shakin' Colors Maracas (6-36 months)
Our little ones can't get enough of the Learn & Groove Shakin' Colors Maracas. One maraca has colorful shaker beads, while the other has a light-up dome that changes colors and plays fun sound effects. With three play modes, these maracas introduce colors, numbers, and music, making learning and playing seamless. The kids love adding rattling sounds to songs, counting from 1 to 10, and pressing the buttons to hear colors and instrument names. These maracas are a hit during our family jam sessions, and it’s fantastic to see them learning while they play!
Drum Kits and DJ Mixers
VTech KidiBeats Drum Set (2-5 years)
For our little percussionists, the KidiBeats Drum Set has been a game-changer. It comes with three drum pads and a cymbal, each lighting up and playing different sounds. With four modes, including Letters, Numbers, and Follow Along, this drum set offers more than just rhythm practice—it’s also educational! Lia loves jumping in and playing along with her younger siblings, showing them the different rhythms she’s picked up. It’s a wonderful way for them to bond over music.
VTech Kidi Star Drum Pad (5+ years)
The Kidi Star Drum Pad is a fantastic way to let my kids explore their inner rock stars! With 20 different drum-style sounds, including rock, marching band, metal, and jazz, this drum pad allows them to experiment with various musical styles. They can play along with over 30 songs or tap out a drum solo, and then hit the record button to capture and replay their performance. Lia loves connecting her favorite tunes via Bluetooth and jamming along with the beat, either through the built-in speaker or with headphones for solo practice. The Drum Pad also includes three fun games and a Coach mode, which helps the kids sharpen their drumming skills in a playful way. It’s incredible to watch them create their own rhythms and drum up a little creativity!
VTech Kidi Star DJ Mixer (5+ years)
Lia is absolutely obsessed with the Kidi Star DJ Mixer. After her talent show debut, she’s been eager to learn more about music and DJing, and this toy is perfect. With a DJ turntable, built-in songs, and endless sound combinations, it lets her create mash-ups and add sound effects. She even connects her favorite tunes via Bluetooth and mixes them with the DJ sounds. It’s so rewarding to see her build confidence and experiment with her own style—she may just be our family’s future DJ!
Karaoke Fun for the Whole Family
VTech SuperSound Karaoke (14+ years)
Now, this one is for my 14-year-old daughter, who loves to sing! The SuperSound Karaoke, available at Costco, has taken our monthly family karaoke nights to a whole new level. She loves connecting her phone via Bluetooth to stream her own music or tuning into the FM radio. The mic comes with fun voice-changing effects, so she can harmonize, add an echo, or even make her voice sound robotic! With its 40-watt speaker, party lights, and a range of vocal warm-ups and games, it adds a festive vibe to our living room concerts. We all take turns singing along, but she definitely steals the show with her vocal skills. This karaoke machine has become a favorite for both solo practice and our family jam sessions.
Portable Recording Fun for Toddlers
LeapFrog Let’s Record! Music Player (18-48 months)
For our littlest performers, the Let’s Record! Music Player is a delightful way to encourage singing and creativity. This toy allows kids to record up to 30 minutes of their own voice or silly sounds. It also features ten learning songs that teach about letters, counting, and animals, along with ten classics like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and even soothing lullabies. And here’s a fantastic feature—adults can stream music from their own devices via Bluetooth, letting kids explore music beyond the built-in tracks. It’s perfect for those moments when my twins want to be the stars of the show!
Bringing Music to Life with VTech and LeapFrog
For our family, music isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way for us to connect, express ourselves, and have a ton of fun. With these toys from VTech and LeapFrog, I can nurture my kids’ love for music in a way that’s engaging and developmentally appropriate. Whether they’re drumming along, mixing beats, or just exploring new sounds, these toys have become a staple in our music zone—and in our hearts. If you’re looking to inspire your little ones with the joy of music, these picks are the perfect place to start!
Karen is the mom behind Mamma Bear Says, a family and creative brand empowering parents to live their most authentic and creative lives. She is a mom of 4, including twin toddlers, and loves to share her tips, tricks, and stories of all the good, the messy, and the chaos.
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