The best toy xylophones help little children to learn scales and octaves while offering a beginning understanding of music. Of course, at first, your child will simply want to pound on the xylophone with the drumsticks and make a ton of satisfying noise! Find the best xylophone capable of withstanding a beating and still make music for your children and toddlers.
Best Baby and Toddler Xylophones
While more classic and traditional xylophones, the MUSICUBE Wooden Xylophone and the Fisher-Price Xylophone offer a wonderful beginning to the love of music and playing an instrument for early childhood. Meanwhile the Manhattan Toy Musical Chicken Wooden Xylophone, the Wooden Pounding Bench Xylophone, and the Manhattan Toy Beats to Go Xylophone add a modern twist to a classic toy that offer other activities as well as just the xylophone.
Manhattan Toy Musical Chicken Xylophone
The Manhattan Toy Musical Chicken Xylophone is an adorable toy perfect for toddlers. As it’s in a chicken shape, kids will be drawn to the fun style and multiple play options. However, it only comes with five xylophone keys.
Beyond the Swedish style ready to improve any room, the toy includes a rocking frame, wings, numbers, shaker balls, and hands-on fun. It’s also wooden, meaning it will last a long time through multiple children making the price very affordable. Even the mallets are solid wood.
The chicken tail comes off and turns into a maraca with a handle. Even the wings clack to make a sound, which is music to the ears of children who are one year old and up. Add in a cymbal on the head for more noise-making fun.
With an adorable look and whimsical design, this toy will grab lots of attention and teach toddlers music in the process. It’s an entire musical band all in one toy ready to delight little hands as they learn to make sounds with instruments.
MUSICUBE Xylophone for Kids
Toddlers love to make music and will love to use the MUSICUBE Xylophone for Kids to help them make sounds. It comes with a unique design that protects the bars from falling or from little fingers removing the bars. Also, the mallet is made with toddlers as young as a year old in mind.
Next, the toy is free of BPA, lead, and phthalates. As for sound, it’s in tune to make it the perfect introduction to music through playing, which kids love to do! From the safety mallet to the bright colors, kids will love this adorable toy that includes a handle.
If you can handle the noise, take this toy in the car with you or anywhere you go for an easy to play with and safe toy. With eight metal bars, kids will get a variety of sounds from a handheld device that does not require batteries. Even though it’s safe, do not allow your child under three to play with this toy alone.
Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone
With the Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone, children get a wheeled xylophone with an attached mallet. It comes in the typical Fisher-Price patriotic color scheme of red, white, and blue with a bright yellow mallet. Furthermore, it comes with eight rainbow keys ranging from small to large to create different sounds.
A pull string allows your toddler ages 18 months and up to pull the toy around the house. It’s a fantastic toy to improve gross motor skills and help with hand-eye coordination. Toddlers can also learn fine motor skills with this toy as well.
The toy is also the right size to sit on the baby’s lap for a little jam session. Classic baby toys like this one stand the test of time and make playtime loud and fun without batteries or electronics. Help your toddler learn to make music with a very popular children’s brand.
Wooden Hammer Bench and Xylophone
The Wooden Hammer Bench and Xylophone is a combo toy that includes a pounding bench, winding tracks, fishing game, catching game, clock, turning gears, and a xylophone!
Not only is the base wood, but it’s also durable and smooth with non-toxic paint on it. Included with this combo set are 3 hammers and 2 fishing rods, so multiple children can play at once. At 7.8″L x 4.5″W x 5.3″H, this xylophone toy is the perfect size for little ones who are between 1 and 5 years old. Overall, children can be entertained for a long time with this toy that requires zero batteries!
DeXop Intellectual School Bus Toy
For a toy and musical instrument combo, check out the DeXop Intellectual School Bus Toy. It’s not just a toy but also a learning center. Kids can learn colors, shapes, musical notes, and more! As for the xylophone, it has 7 scales and a built-in mallet to help kids fine-tune their music and their fine motor skills.
The fun doesn’t stop there as the toy also includes a shape sorter. Children get some shapes but also vehicles too for more learning and fun. Some beads on top encourage movement and dexterity.
Moreover, kids can push and pull the bus too! It’s a great travel toy with so many different ways to play and it’s perfect for children 18 months and older to play. The wheels roll nicely making this likely to be your child’s favorite toy before long!
Also, don’t worry about storage as the blocks store inside the school bus. It’s large enough for two kids to play at once. Children as young as a year can play with the toy with adult supervision as it is quite small (like kids!)
Bukm Kids Musical Instrument Set
Kids love musical instruments, and with the Bukm Kids Musical Instrument Set, they get twenty-five instruments to try. Not only do they get a xylophone but also a tambourine, triangle, bell stick, and wrist bell. It also includes bird whistles, rainbow toy, finger castanets, shaker eggs, maracas, and tone blocks.
Each of the toys are perfectly safe for children over the age of three and up or under two with constant adult supervision. With this set, they can figure out which instrument they enjoy the most. Much to their enjoyment, they can make a ton of noise too!
Most of the pieces are made out of sturdy wood or metal, although a few are made with plastic. The set includes a plastic storage bag to keep the mess contained. Now kids can improve many musical skills such as creativity, memory, enlightenment, and even color recognition with a single gift.
Melissa & Doug Caterpillar Xylophone
The Melissa & Doug Caterpillar Xylophone is an adorable xylophone with a happy smiley face ready to get little kids giggling. One difference with this toy xylophone compared to others is it has less space between keys, which means little fingers won’t get trapped. However, it could change the tune of the toy.
Melissa and Doug make high-quality toys like this wooden xylophone. It includes two wooden mallets and some cards so kids can practice playing songs. Each card fits in the back of the toy for easy storage. Also, the cards are color-coded to help kids learn easier.
Furthermore, it comes with eight keys, all in a rainbow of colors. It’s the perfect gift for kids between the ages of three and six, as each key is securely fastened.
Lastly, the toy can teach simple music concepts, including octave, intervals, and rhythms. It’s a great way to learn artistic expression, creativity, and increase fine motor skills. They can also learn songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb and Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
VTech Zoo Jamz Xylophone
The VTech Zoo Jamz Xylophone is an electrically enhanced xylophone ready to help your kids learn notes, numbers, sounds, and more. The mallet also acts as a pull string to roll the critter along for added fun. The fun doesn’t stop there either for little active toddlers.
With the adorable green caterpillar design, kids can enjoy a festive xylophone that lights up when they tap on a key. Each of the keys features a number and sound to encourage learning. You can also switch between off and three modes to increase learning opportunities.
The caterpillar is the right size for children ages 18 months up to four years old. It includes eight light-up musical bars. The games grow with kids too to teach music, songs, and sequence.
Take the fun little toy anywhere you go to help toddlers learn sing-along songs, music, instruments, and creativity. Of course, kids can play willy-nilly if they like. Do make sure they don’t harshly bang on the toy as it’s plastic and breakable when beaten.
Finally, you will need 2 AA batteries to power the toy, and they are included. It’s a great toy for little kids who want to play music with friends. Simply add in a drum set or toy piano, and your kids can start a band!
3 in 1 Toddler Drum Set Piano Keyboard Xylophone Toys
Toddlers will adore the bright and festive 3 in 1 Toddler Drum Set Piano Keyboard Xylophone Toy. It’s not a single instrument but instead a mixture to engage kids and teach them multiple forms of music. Also, kids can learn number,s animals, and more with the fun toy.
With this toy, you get a xylophone, piano, drums, whack-a-mole, and cymbals. Switch between four modes to learn different skills like percussions, xylophone, animals, or numbers. It comes in fun colors perfect for both boys and girls.
Kids will love the two mallets to help play all of the different instruments. The toy also lights up to add to the fun, and it stands on its own. Several buttons allow kids to play new songs and other fun games.
Store the mallets on the bottom by the battery outlet, which requires three AA batteries. Kids can perform a whole concert with a single toy!
Kidzlane My First Xylophone for Kids
Choose the Kidzlane My First Xylophone for Kids for a modern style ready to impress. This xylophone comes with the standard eight keys but on a waterfall wood base. Also, all of the keys are labeled with a note letter.
Next, the set includes several musical cards with songs your kids can play by color for easy concept grasping. Kids can also develop creativity, motor skills, language, and so much more. The ten-piece set also includes a mallet along with the cards and instrument itself.
As the base is thick wood, you can enjoy the toy for many years with multiple children. The waterfall legs make it stand on its own on the table or on the floor for younger children, all with a bright design.
Moreover, the xylophone is 100 percent child safe with non-toxic materials and smooth sanded edges. It’s lightweight, too, meaning kids can move it on their own. Even the mallet comes with a soft rubber tip making it perfect for children ages 18 months and up.
TOP BRIGHT Wooden Xylophone for Kids
Children 18-months old and up will adore the TOP BRIGHT Wooden Xylophone for Kids. It might just be the cutest xylophone in the world as it has elephant sides that make it stand up like a mini piano. Also, it’s partially made of wood for stability.
The notes for each of the eight keys are clearly painted underneath the keys, making them easy to see. Next, behind the xylophone is a pocket stand for the two mallets and music cards. The set includes three music cards to help children to learn a few songs.
Your child can start training to be a musician with this fun instrument and eight tones, each in a bright color. Kids can practice scales or two favorite children’s songs.
All this from a toy safe for child us as it’s free of odor, BPA, lead, phthalate, and chemicals. The metal keys are all well attached, so your child cannot remove them. It can be used by a child under a year and a half with constant supervision.
Manhattan Toy Beats to Go Wooden Xylophone
Teach your child a love of music with this cute Manhattan Toy Beats to Go Wooden Xylophone. Unlike most toy xylophones, this one includes a drum, cymbal, and washboard to add a variety of musical notes. It also features pastel colors, rather than the bright rainbow colors most of us are used to seeing on children’s toys.
The xylophone includes 7 musical keys, a carrying handle, two elastic cords for holding the drumsticks, and three legs underneath the xylophone for standing it up. Keep in mind that some buyers say the keys are not set to a scale, but rather make random tones.
As for size, this xylophone toy measures 15″L x 7″W x 3.5″H. It’s made with water-based and non-toxic paint, so it’s safe for your little one.
Best Xylophones for Older Kids
The Wooden Xylophone Set for Kids is an 8 key xylophone with two wooden mallets and arrives tuned for playing, yet is less expensive than the 20 note 20 Note Chromatic Glockenspiel Metal Xylonphone that is color coded and comes with 23 songs to learn to play.
Professional Glockenspiel 25 note Xylophone
Although the price is higher, the Silverstar Professional Glockenspiel 25 note Xylophone offers something the other xylophones don’t. With this incredible xylophone comes a case and has far more than the standard eight keys.
As this xylophone includes 25 tones, kids can learn more, all with good timbre. Each of the 25 tones provides an independent pitch, all from steel keys that do not dull and with good vibration. It’s easy to carry as well with a built-in handle and holes for better sound.
However, the xylophones are not pinned inside the box, and they can come out. The company tunes the keys before they let it leave the factory. It’s a great toy to help kids learn musical literacy, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and many other musical skills.
With the xylophone, you get two mallets also for two-handed playing. It’s the only option that provides more than eight keys, so kids are not limited to only a few musical tones. Definitely choose this option for kids who show an interest or ability in music.
Schylling Wood Xylophone
The Schylling Wood Xylophone includes two wooden mallets to help kids to work to hands at one time. Moreover, it’s high quality with a wooden construction painted in a subtle dark blue. So many toy xylophones are overly garish in bright colors that do not blend in with décor, but this will be a gorgeous addition to your home.
Next, the xylophone comes with eight differently colored keys, each with increasing sizes to change the tune of the metal. Also, the keys are securely attached with strong metal pins. It measures 10.5 inches long, making it the perfect size for little hands.
Finally, the keys have the notes printed on each key, so little kids can help to recognize musical keys and letters as well. Give this gift to children ages three and up. Pass this high-quality toy down to future generations too.
Wooden Xylophone for Kids
The Wooden Xylophone for Kids gives a simple xylophone with the ability to teach your child colors and music. It’s made of light wood, which adds to the appeal. Moreover, the instrument includes eight keys pinned into place.
This xylophone is perfectly and accurately tuned with each key matching their assigned notes. It does not have any half scales, nor are there any high pitches. Also, it will stay tuned no matter how many times your child plays with the toy.
Kids can learn coordination by tapping the keys with the two included wooden mallets. Speaking of wood, the toy is wood as well, at least the frame. The set does not include a music card, so you will have to find some or let them go wild.
The educational toy is free of odors, BPA, lead, and phthalate. Also, it doesn’t have sharp edges that can harm babies. Take it on the go for extra fun as long as it’s somewhere you can make noise!
Give this xylophone to children ages three years and up.
Hape – Pound and Tap Bench Music Set
The Hape – Pound and Tap Bench Music Set isn’t just a xylophone but a unique twist on the old concept. With this wooden toy, your children get three balls they can pound with the mallet, and they then drop on the slope of the xylophone. The multi-purpose toy makes for added fun for little children.
You can choose from two color schemes, including red, white, and gold, or the rainbow pattern most popular to spark interest in children. Either way, the toy is made almost completely of wood. Only the keys are made of metal instead.
The toy comes from Germany with a solid construction ready to last for generations of children. It has a fun musical pattern on the side with bright balls ready to grab kid’s attention. Do make sure your children know to only pound on the toy with the wooden mallet as it can definitely scar dressers and bed frames (we may know this from experience with an exuberant two-year-old).
All of the paint on the toy is water-based and free of toxins. The xylophone part of the toys is rainbow-colored with eight keys ready to enhance learning. Toddlers ages one and up can learn musical development, exploration, audio recognition, and fine motor skills.
Last of all, you can use the handle on the xylophone to pull the musical section out and play with it separately. It’s a fabulous beginner learning toy.
Xylophone for Kids by Musicube
While it’s a simple design Xylophone for Kids by Musicube offers a sturdy wooden design and mallets. It measures 8.66 x 3.15 x 1.46 inches and is safe for kids with excellent sound.
Furthermore, the toddler toys comes perfectly tuned, ready for children over the age of one to learn basic music. The keys are on metal pins to give a little room for vibration and tuning. Also, each key has the appropriate note letter on it as well.
Each key is a different rainbow color to make it easy to learn. All of the parts are non-toxic too. It’s a great set for when friends are over as they can play both instruments at the same time. They can also learn a few popular songs with the included cards.
Lastly, the toy is made of strong and sturdy wood to last for years. It’s also BPA-free, lead-free, and leakproof. Add some music to your children’s play.
Melissa & Doug Learn-To-Play Xylophone
The Melissa & Doug Learn-To-Play Xylophone comes in a smart box shape with a draw for the included musical cards. It also includes two wooden mallets you can store in the draw too. The wooden material and shape makes it much easier to store this toy or even pack it in a tight closet.
Introducing your kids to music has never been easier with this toy. It helps children to explore musical concepts through hands-on play and with color-coded keys. Kids can learn hand-eye coordination, music, creativity, and independent play with one fabulous and in tune toy.
Each card comes with a song on both sides for added benefits. Also, the songs feature color-coded notation on a real musical staff. You can even place the songs on the included musical holder above the keys to read simply.
Use for children ages three years old and up.
Metal Xylophone – 15 Note Color Glockenspiel
Kids can enjoy the large Metal Xylophone – 15 Note Color Glockenspiel to learn more music with more sounds. It’s well tuned and makes a fantastic introduction to music for kids. Unlike other musical instruments, this one takes less effort to learn so you can focus on teaching notes and what sound they should make.
To get kids started, use the 19 included songs and melodies. Each card comes with circles according to the color and key so kids can learn visually. It’s a fabulous percussion instrument to add to a musical family, especially for kids with a short attention span.
Children will love learning classic songs, including Christmas songs and Happy Birthday. Before long, they can be showing off their mad music skills and putting on little concerts for their family.
The base is wood, as are the mallets, and the keys are metal with secure pins to keep them in place. It’s easy to store, too, with a streamlined design.
20 Note Chromatic Glockenspiel
Give your child and open base 20 Note Chromatic Glockenspiel xylophone to expand their note options and increase the music they can learn. While it’s pricier it offers so many more keys so kids can learn more notes. All the notes are marked on each of the colorful keys in the correct order for good tune and sound.
The wooden base keeps all of the metal keys in place and easy to play with. Furthermore, two wooden mallets include rubber tips. All of the keys are locked into place with sturdy metal pins to keep the instrument intact.
Use this chromatic xylophone for children over the age of six years old who show an interest in learning a fuller range of up to two octaves. The keys range from F to C for musically inclined kids or those interested in learning. All of the keys are marked too so kids can tell which key is where.
Finally, the toy xylophone includes 12 cars with 23 letter-coded kids’ songs. Now it’s time to make music.
Glockenspiel 15 Note Xylophone in Wooden Case
The Glockenspiel 15 Note Xylophone in Wooden Case is ready to delight kids with more keys. Please note, this option is designed for older children and not for toddlers. However, it does comes with a case and musical cards.
With 15 notes, children can learn more sounds and get a better understanding of music. It comes with two mallets with rubber tips, and all of the keys are a single color. Kids will need to learn each note without the colors.
As for music cars, those are in color, and it comes with ten double sides cards to help beginners get started. All this and the xylophone comes in a blue wooden case with a handle. It’s great for kids who want to play but don’t like bright garish color schemes.
Store the whole case out of sight when not in use. All of the music is easy to play and doesn’t require any experience to learn.
ENNBOM Xylophone Glockenspiel
The ENNBOM Xylophone Glockenspiel comes in a nifty little carrying case with room for keys and the mallets. It’s a truly unique toy as you can take each key out and separate each from the others. Each key comes on its own block so kids can fan them out and learn patterns and sizing along with tunes and other musical skills.
Next, the keys are made of aluminum alloy and plastic, along with a plastic case and mallets. It comes with the standard eight keys, each with a different color. Moreover, the portable set makes a beautiful sound and helps to develop musical skills from an early age.
The company does not suggest an age for their toy, so it’s best to watch children under the age of four with the toy to ensure they do not hurt themselves.
Comparing Toy Xylophones
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
Buying Criteria for Toy Xylophones
Material
Wooden xylophones will always last longer than plastic. Also, wooden xylophones provide superior sound quality as well. As children tend to be rough on toys, its best to chose high-quality material to avoid any breakage or other issues that could harm your baby. Always check a new toy before giving it to your baby.
Also, ensure each key on the xylophone is locked into place and doesn’t slip off. Check the wood for splinters and also check to make sure the sticks are solid too. Always watch your child when they have a toy as they can find interesting ways to harm themselves.
Stimulation
A good xylophone will visually stimulate children with bright colors and fun designs. The best xylophones also have key letters on each key as well to help you and your baby learn a little more about music. You could even play a game with the keys when they are marked.
Some xylophones come with cards so children can learn to start playing songs. Show your child how to use the sticks properly on the xylophone so they can follow your example. If you have a musical instrument, you could play along to encourage your child to play as well by example.
Benefits
Music, in any form, can boost cognitive skills and sensory development. Moreover, musical instruments can help develop gross and fine motor skills too. Learning a new skill takes practice and can, in turn, teach patience too.
The benefits don’t end there, music can also encourage self-expression, enhance memory, and provide an emotional outlet. Music can even promote healthier social skills as they learn to associate with people on a different level or a universal language like music!
Starting your child with a xylophone now may encourage them to learn more music and, therefore, more skills. You may even be surprised to learn that music can help to increase math and language skills too. And as we all know, music can even help us to relax and fall asleep easier.
Finally, children can learn scales and octaves from xylophones, which is an integral part of learning music.
FAQs About Toy Xylophones
What does Glockenspiel mean?
Glockenspiel is a German word that means a set of bells like a percussion instrument like a xylophone. Usually, they are graduated bells or bars that make a sound when struck with another item like a drum stick. Basically, it’s the German word commonly used for xylophones.
Also, it refers to tuned metal pieces mounted to a frame, which again refers to a xylophone. Why the German word became popular is anyone’s guess, but it is fun to say!
Can my child someday have a career playing the xylophones?
While it is possible to have a career playing the xylophone, consider it more a starting instrument to encourage children to play music in a simplistic form. Many instruments are much more difficult, and a xylophone is less scary as an introduction to music. Use a toy xylophone to encourage interest and a basic understanding of music and try not to set any other purpose.
Will playing the xylophone help my child learn music?
Absolutely. A xylophone is an instrument and can teach the basics of playing, such as recognizing keys. Any introduction to music can help your child learn music as it helps to teach pitch, tone, key, and so much more. Xylophones are also easy to play, making it more engaging and interesting for children.
