So, you’ve caved and agreed to buy your kid their first drum set. We’ve been there. We understand the fear of endless headaches and noise or total abandonment after a week.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve spent hours looking for sets that kids of all ages will enjoy and we, as parents, can at least tolerate. As it turns out, there are many great options, including drum sets with learning components, high-quality sound, and, best of all, headphone jacks! The hard part was narrowing them down to just a few of our favorites.
Check out our reviews of the best drums for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages.
- Supports 2 languages
- Equipped with colorful lights
- Teaches colors, numbers, and gross motor skills
- Unique sounds
- Different ways to play
- Sticks attach to drum for storage
- 3 fun modes
- Bright colors
- Large handle
- With microphone and stool
- Features a kick drum
- Durable
- 3 electronic drums plus 1 cymbal
- Features phonics and words
- Power-saving mode
- Many features and sounds to play
- Velocity-sensitive pads
- Loud speakers with headphone option
- Sounds professional
- Durable materials
- Played in different ways
- Professional-looking set
- Easy assembly
- Accessories included
The Best Drums for Babies
There are our favorite three drums for babies.
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Color Play Drum
Best for Bilingual Learning
If you want your baby to explore the Spanish language apart from English, this could be for you. This adorable drum teaches your child to count and recognize colors and opposites while introducing them to music.
With this girly drum toy, your baby can hit and tap her way through many fun tunes. You can also join in the fun and create your own family band. This instrument is equipped with three music varieties: classical, marching, and salsa. What a great way to dance to the beat!
Pros
- Interactive and educational.
- The small size makes it easy to store.
- Three musical styles, including salsa, marching, and classical.
- Supports both English and Spanish language.
- Fun for small babies as well as toddlers.
Cons
- The audio is pretty soft, even on the highest volume setting, making it hard to hear the sounds clearly in a louder environment.
Our Ratings
Little Tikes Tap-A-Tune
Best for Simplicity
This drum might look simple without the lights and electronics of other models, but trust me when I say it’s anything but. Babies love playing this drum with their hands or using the “magic” sticks when their fine motor skills are a little stronger.
Show your little one how to rub the sticks on the sides of the drum. Different patterns will create fun sounds for your baby to dance along to.
Losing bits and pieces of kid’s toys can be frustrating, but you can attach these sticks to the drum when not in use.
Pros
- BPA-free materials.
- Unique sounds.
- Different ways to play.
- Compact size.
- Sticks attach to the drum for storage.
Cons
- It lacks the vibration to make a good hollow drum sound.
Our Ratings
Bright Starts Light & Learn Drum
Best for Curious Minds
Babies aren’t as easy to please as one might think. If you have a little explorer at home, as I do, you might need to think outside the box.
This little drum has a mirrored surface, so your baby can see themselves as they have fun. It also lights up with different colors whenever your little one creates a beat.
Your child can play around with the various modes: numbers, colors, and drumming. Set the desired mode, and your baby will either learn colors or count to the beat.
In the music mode, the toy will play a fun tune for your baby to bang along to while flashing brightly colored lights. There’s also a large handle that’s easy for small hands to grasp. It’s ready to use from the start since you get two AA batteries with the toy.
Pros
- Three fun modes.
- Bright colors.
- Mirrored surface.
- Large handle.
Cons
- To register the sound and receive a response, you need to hit it harder than many babies are capable of.
Our Ratings
The Best Drums for Toddlers
Here are our favorite drums for toddlers.
WolVol Electric Big Toy Drum Set
Best for Creative Minds
Toddlers love to express themselves, whether it’s through talking, movements, or actions. Encourage your growing tot to go a little wild while creating music.
With this drum set, your toddler gets two drums to pound, a cymbal to bang on, and a kick drum to get those feet moving. There’s also a fully-functioning microphone and a stool, so your kiddo can feel like a real drummer.
This kit has a variety of play modes, including songs, melodies, beats, music, and colorful lights. The stool is 8 inches high, which is a good size for the average toddler.
The set is also very durable and made for rough play. However, it requires three AA batteries, which aren’t included.
Pros
- Includes a microphone and stool.
- Bright lights and fun music to play along to.
- Features a kick drum.
- Durable set lasts longer than many other toddler toys.
Cons
- The kick drum can be challenging for toddlers to figure out.
- The microphone only picks up sounds if you hold it really close.
Our Ratings
VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set
Best for Variety
Nearly every toddler loves colorful lights, loud noises, and the chance to get crazy.
This little drum set gives your tot four ways to play and learn. It has a number mode that counts up whenever your toddler hits a drum.
There’s also a mode that teaches the alphabet, phonics, and words: excellent for babbling babes. Your child can play freestyle with 16 different drum sounds, or they can play along to a beat by following the lights.
Kids (and their sometimes-forgetful parents) sometimes neglect to turn off electronic toys. Then you might wake up to dead batteries and a sobbing child. Luckily this drum set has a power-saving function that allows it to “go to sleep” when left untouched.
Pros
- Three electronic drums plus one cymbal.
- Features phonics and words.
- Power-saving mode.
- Volume control.
- Includes three AA batteries.
Cons
- It can be difficult to turn off the background music.
Our Ratings
The Best Drum Sets for Older Kids
Here are our top drum kits picks for older children.
Alesis CompactKit 4
Best Portable Set
Electronic drum kits can be a blessing — if you appreciate your ability to hear — because you can plug in a set of quality headphones and enjoy the silence while your kids are drumming. This set gives your child four touch-sensitive pads, each with its own drum sound.
Not only does it sound like acoustic drums, but the pads also feel like real drums as you hit them, helping your aspiring musician get a real sense of the instrument.
The set will also provide your child with a variety of songs and rhythms to play along to, which is excellent for budding musicians. These patterns are the beginning of math skills for your child.
The LCD screen has a built-in game feature to help children learn, and a music-coach mode guides your child through the beats. The speakers are loud, so if your child wants to show off their stuff, you won’t need any extras.
You can also plug in headphones for a quiet session.
Pros
- Many features and sounds to play with.
- Compact size.
- Loud speakers with the ability for headphones.
- Velocity-sensitive pads.
Cons
- Some headphones are not compatible.
Our Ratings
Remo Floor Tom-Tom Drum
Best Single Drum
If your child is showing interest in percussion, it doesn’t mean a kit is the only way to go. This floor tom drum can be just as fun and exciting.
A floor tom drum is usually a larger drum that you place on the floor or use as part of a kit. This drum is designed to be played on the floor.
The shell is made from “acousticon,” a material made of sawdust and resin. It gives the drum an authentic sound.
Our kids loved the unique look of this rainforest-themed drum.
The pre-tuned drum head is made from “Skyndeep” polyester material, which has just enough elasticity to give it that quality sound.
Your rockstar can choose to play it with their hands or use the sticks that come with the drum. The company provides matching drums of other styles as well.
Pros
- High-quality sound and durable materials.
- Can be played in different ways.
- You can add on to the kit.
- Fun for many age groups.
Cons
- Has a higher-pitched tone than authentic floor tom drums.
Our Ratings
Mendini 3-Drum Set
Best for Beginners
A kit like this one will give your growing musician two drums, one kick drum, and a cymbal to play with. It comes unassembled, so you’ll have to put it together. But don’t worry, the set includes easy-to-read instructions.
The hardwood drum shells are very durable. And since everything is attached to the kick drum, it doesn’t take up too much space.
Your kiddo will also get a pair of wooden drumsticks and a pedal for the kick drum. An adjustable padded stool adds to the comfort level to keep your kid rocking.
Pros
- Professional-looking drum kit.
- Durable materials.
- Easy assembly.
- Accessories included, like padded stool and sticks.
- Available in five glittery colors.
Cons
- The mounts need to be adjusted from time to time.
- It may not sound as professional as it looks.
Our Ratings
Why Drums?
Not only are the drums a popular option among kids, but they also offer some benefits, as most musical instruments do.
These are just a few of the best benefits of drums for kids and toddlers.
- Confidence booster: Your child will learn how to play dynamically, and as they build up the courage to go for it, this will leave them feeling good about themselves.
- Good for the brain: The drums require coordination — big time. This challenges the brain since it engages both the linear and creative sides.
- A form of exercise: An hour of play/exercise is recommended for your child each day. Drumming can elevate the heart rate, and the repetitive pounding can build muscle (1).
How to Choose Drums for Kids
Drums are a favorite music toy for many. With the range of choices available on the market, and depending on your child’s age, you may not know where to start. We’re here to help.
Drums for Babies
A good time to consider a drum is when your baby starts showing signs they’re ready to roll. A drum might even make tummy time more fun. It could also encourage your baby to lift their head more and work their little arms.
Here are a few drum toy features that might interest a baby:
- Colored lights.
- Fun musical options.
- Interactive elements
- Other accessories to grab their attention, such as a mirror.
Drums for Toddlers
Toddlers are fun and creative souls, and they need a matching instrument. You might even consider getting a real drum for your tot. Here are a few things about drums your toddler might enjoy:
- Various sounds and special effects.
- Educational features, like phonics and counting.
Drums for Bigger Kids
Older children who are interested in playing the drums will need more than lights and sound effects. Here are a few things we look for when selecting drums for older kids:
Drum Kit or Individual Drums?
There are pros and cons to investing in a drum kit or buying individual drums. Let’s look at the highlights for each:
Individual drums:
- Good start for the youngest drummers as you can purchase one to start and build upon that as their interest and skill grows.
- Easily portable.
- Budget-friendly option.
Drum kit:
- Each drum has its own role.
- More ways for your child to advance.
- Can be customized with additional pieces.
Consider what your child will do with the drums — will it be a hobby or a serious interest? Having a drum kit at home can get noisy; however, having only one drum might not be enough for the enthusiast.
Acoustic or Electronic?
If you buy a drum kit for your child, you might catch some side glances from the neighbors. A genuine acoustic drum kit will make a lot of noise, but there are still plenty of good reasons to get one for your kiddo.
- Your child will get a natural feel for the instrument.
- It will let the player appreciate authentic sound — acoustic drums are made of wood, each with its own unique sound and tone.
An electronic drum kit is another option. Your child can get the same drum sounds, but they’re made with synthesizers. Here’s why you should consider an electric drum kit:
- Won’t take up as much space and is easier to transport.
- You can use headphones.
- Some kits will allow the player to switch between genres.
- You can plug it into a computer for recording and editing.
Consider Your Space
Even if your child starts with a basic kit, it will still need a fair amount of floor space. Figure out where in your house your child will use the kit. Some people choose the garage, while others might prefer the guest bedroom.
Also, you might want to consider placing a carpet underneath the kit. This can help absorb some of the sound and prevent the drums from sliding when your kid really rocks out.
