Updated on June 24, 2021 by Lyric Fergusson
Kids love bouncing to the beat of jubilant jams and there’s nothing cuter than watching your little one test out their new dance moves. Whether your tiny tyke likes classic tunes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or is looking to take center stage with karaoke renditions of “Let it Go,” here are the 7 best music players for toddlers.
[ez-toc]Best Music Players for Toddlers
1. VTech Rock and Bop Music Player
(Most song options — $)
Why it’s great: This music player is the perfect precursor to a smart phone and plays over 100 songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases. Available in pink or blue, this music player comes with headphones and touch buttons and is easy for toddlers to use on their own. This music player also plays ten learning games and includes instrument remixes and songs that celebrate classical music, hip-hop, and rock.
Keep in mind: This music player requires two AAA batteries to function.
Good for: Traveling as this music player comes with headphones and has a wide variety of song choices to keep your little one entertained while on the go.
2. Baby Einstein Musical Mix ‘N Roll Activity Walker
(Most versatile — $$$)
Why it’s great: This Baby Einstein musical activity walker is a great choice if you’re looking for something that can grow with your little one. This activity walker transforms to accommodate four styles of play and can be used as a push-walker, toddler table, DJ table, and floor toy. The music panel snaps out of the walker for easy access and transport. This activity walker features over 100 melodies and phrases and is designed to help kids learn their numbers, colors, and animals. This activity walker also offers three language settings: English, French, and Spanish.
Keep in mind: This music player doesn’t play full songs, but brief sounds and jingles.
Good for: Toddlers learning to walk as this music player is also a walker.
3. Kidzlane Karaoke Microphone for Kids with Bluetooth
(Best for imaginary play — $$)
Why it’s great: This Bluetooth karaoke mic is a fun toy that allows kids to pretend they’re a rockstar in their own living room. With ten built-in jingles, a voice changer, and a recording option, tots can experiment with singing in all sorts of styles and ranges. Flashing lights add extra flourish to the performance while a corresponding lyric books makes for an authentic karaoke experience. This mic can also be connected to smart devices via Bluetooth to play songs from your personal music collection.
Keep in mind: This karaoke microphone doesn’t come with batteries, so make sure you have some AAA batteries on hand.
Good for: Kids with active imaginations as this karaoke microphone is a perfect prop for pretend play.
4. eKids Frozen 2 Bluetooth Portable MP3 Karaoke Machine
(Best for disney fans — $$$)
Why it’s great: This Frozen portable MP3 Karaoke Machine has all the bells and whistles and is perfect for the little Disney fan in your life. An attached microphone allows tots to practice performing “Let it Go” whenever they please while a recording function allows you to record and playback your greatest hits. This music player also has USB and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to access your own music as well. Lightweight and easy to use, this boombox is designed for little ones to use by themselves.
Keep in mind: This product is recommended for kids ages 3 and up.
Good for: Tots who love Frozen and singing along to the movie soundtrack.
5. Fisher Price Classic Toys – Retro Music Box Record Player
(Easiest to use — $$)
Why it’s great: This Fisher Price Music Box player is a fresh take on the age-old classic from 1971, which mom and dad (and even grandma and grandpa!) might remember from their toddler days. This music player comes with five pretend records and plays a total of ten songs. Records can be stored inside the music box when not in use. Parents praise this music box record player for its durability and timeless design.
Keep in mind: This is not the original Fisher Price toy record player, but an updated version of its vintage counterpart.
Good for: Younger toddlers as this record player is easy to use and doesn’t require fine motor skills to operate.
6. Musical Keyboard Playmat
(Best for active toddlers — $)
Why it’s great: This keyboard playmat is a great way to introduce music into your little one’s daily routine. Featuring eight touchable piano keys, this musical playmat plays music and animal sounds and is intended to be educational and fun. Flashing lights and adjustable volume controls provide extra sensory stimulation. Made from soft, non-toxic material, this music mat can be folded up for easy storage and transport.
Keep in mind: Some customers report it’s easy to slip on this mat, so be sure to use with caution.
Good for: Kids who love to dance as this music mat inspires tots to practice their moves.
7. Mother Goose Sing Along Boombox with Microphone
(Best sound quality — $$)
Why it’s great: This baby boombox is one of the more highly rated music players on the market for kids. Featuring built-in speakers, a real microphone, and flashing lights, this boombox is made specifically for tiny tykes who love singing and dancing. This boom box comes with a built-in catalog of fan favorite songs as well as an aux input to connect to other devices. Kid-friendly buttons and a lightweight, portable design make this boom box a great choice for little ones looking to stage a musical performance on their own.
Keep in mind: Some customers report that this music player is loud, so make sure you adjust the volume control to an appropriate setting.
Good for: Gifting as this music player is perfect for tots of all ages and capabilities.
FAQs about Music Players for Toddlers
1. What are things to consider when purchasing a music player for a toddler?
Deciding which music player is best for your toddler depends on their age, preferences, and capabilities. For younger toddlers, you’ll want to find a music player that’s easy to use and built to last. Older toddlers will appreciate music players that promote interactive play and feature a more versatile song selection. You’ll also want to make sure your music player can play your tot’s favorite tunes, whether that’s Disney classics, traditional lullabies, or even Baby Shark. Price is also an important factor and while you’ll be able to get more bells and whistles for a higher cost, there are plenty of great music players available at affordable price points as well.
2. How important is Bluetooth connectivity?
Some music players offer Bluetooth connectivity, which is useful for syncing up to smartphones and tablets. By connecting to another device, you’ll have access to a wider selection of songs, including those you’ve downloaded into your personal library or listen to through a streaming service. While this is a fun feature that ensures your little one will never run out of new music to listen to, it’s definitely not mandatory as most music players come with a set catalog of song options included.
3. What music should I play for my toddler?
With so much kid-friendly music on the market, it can be tough to know where to start in choosing music for your tot. Fortunately, most music players provide a selection of classic tunes to get you started. Some parents prefer playing kid versions of adult classics like Mozart, which studies show stimulates brain activity. Of course, you can never go wrong by putting on the soundtrack from your little one’s favorite Disney movie either!
4. What age is best for music players?
Kids of all ages love music and it’s never too early to let your little one listen to their favorite songs. Some music players require advanced motor control and cognitive skills, but other music players are designed with younger tots in mind. If you’re not sure whether a music player will work for your toddler, check the product’s guidelines to determines its appropriate age range.
5. Are there any safety hazards I should take into account when purchasing a music player?
Most music players for toddlers are designed to be safe for kids, but it’s always a good idea to read the instructions and safety guidelines that come with your product to ensure that your tot is using it safely and correctly. If your little one is on the younger side, beware of music players with small pieces that can pose a choking hazard.
Conclusion
Music players are a great way to inspire a love of music in your toddler from an early age. Younger tots will love learning to dance on a music mat or play records on their toy turntable. As your toddler grows, an interactive music player that provides an extensive catalog of song options will help them discover their first favorite tune. Fun features like Bluetooth connectivity, microphone plug-ins, and headphone capabilities provide versatile music experiences but don’t be surprised if your little one requests the same song on repeat for hours on end. No matter if you’re staging a Frozen sing-along in your living room or winding down with a lullaby before bed, music players are a secret weapon for setting the perfect mood in your toddler’s daily life.
){kind=link}