Kids Xylophone and Drum Music Station, 8-Note Scale, Ages 18 Months+

A first instrument that actually sounds like one. Eight colour-coded metal keys tuned to a full scale, a drum pad and a cymbal on one sturdy stand, with two mallets so a toddler can bang away with both hands. The clear, ringing tone is the point - it's what makes a small child stop and listen to what they just did.

What's on it

• 8 colour-coded metal keys, tuned to a full 8-note scale
• Drum pad and cymbal alongside the keys
• Two mallets included
• Free-standing base - it sits on the floor or a table without being held

Size and specs

• Overall size: 35 x 22 x 7 cm (about 13.8" x 8.7" x 2.8")
• Weight: about 2.2 lbs
• Manufacturer age grade: 18 months and up
• Batteries: none needed

Is my kid the right age for it?

The maker grades it 18 months and up, and that's about right for the drum and cymbal - a toddler can make a satisfying noise on day one. Picking out the eight notes deliberately tends to come later, around three or four, which is why this one keeps earning its shelf space for a couple of years rather than a couple of weeks.

Materials and safety

• Metal keys on a plastic frame
• Two loose mallets - keep an eye on a child who still mouths things, and put the mallets away between sessions
• No batteries and no electronics

Before you order

• No assembly beyond taking it out of the box
• It is genuinely loud, which is the whole idea