The 7 Best Toy Guitars for Little Rockstars
Has your toddler expressed interest in musical toys, like a baby piano or a toy guitar? If so, that’s great news! Your little one is learning about their emerging musical interests, and may be ready to explore different sounds by using their hands.
There are lots of benefits to toys that make noise and play music—research has shown that music can offer toddlers opportunities for playful exploration, discovery, self-expression and communication, with a positive impact on areas as diverse as motor skills and socialization.
So where should you start on your child’s musical journey? Introducing children to music is a process, beginning with musical play in infancy, and moving on to age-appropriate lessons throughout the preschool years and beyond. And the toy guitars on the market reflect this fact, ranging from light-up playthings designed for very young babies to miniature versions of adult guitars, perfect for your little one’s first real guitar lesson.
We’ve rounded up some of the best choices out there across all stages of development; keep reading to find the best toy guitars for your budding musician!
Ready for them to rock out? Babies and toddlers will get a kick out of the toy guitars you’ll find on our list below.
Overall best toy guitar
- Made with kid-safe paint
- Makes a real, authentic guitar sound
- Kid sized and lightweight for easy handling
- Strings are plastic
If you’re looking for the best toy guitar for your little one, look no further than this kid-sized model from Hape Toys. This child guitar is actually more of a cross between a guitar and a ukulele, making it suitable for kids who want to learn either instrument, or—better yet—both! With a vibrant blue color, lightweight sustainable wood and a size that’s suitable for a wide range of kiddos, this toy guitar is a clear winner.
Height: 26” | Weight: 1.3 lbs. | Age range: 3+ years
Best baby guitar
- Doesn’t require actual playing skills, making it suitable for even the youngest players
- Two different sound modes: guitar and banjo
- Doesn’t have strings, so parents looking for a more authentic “guitar experience” for their kids should purchase a different model
- Doesn’t come with or support the use of a strap
Introduce your teeny tiny to music at a young age with this baby guitar from Baby Einstein. This popular guitar toy uses the company’s award-winning magic touch technology to allow even the youngest musicians to make real guitar and banjo sounds simply by banging on the colored keys. Bright lights and several different sound modes will keep them engaged during musical play time.
Height: 16” | Weight: 1 lb. | Age range: 1 to 3 years
Best toy ukulele
- Includes harmonica so others can play along
- Nylon strings are tunable
- Pick is attached to the ukulele to prevent loss
- Strings can become loose over time
- Not made of real wood
If it’s a ukulele your little one is interested in, it’s time to start shopping for the best toy ukulele out there. This adorable four-string ukulele is our pick, with nylon strings and a body made of environmentally friendly ABS plastic. A heart-shaped cutout is a whimsical touch, while the authentic sound makes for a great introduction to this sweet instrument that’s perfectly sized for little hands.
Height: 17” | Weight: 9.6 ounces | Age range: 3+ years
Best budget-friendly toy guitar
- Features two different sound modes for extended fun
- Little ones can make their own music or play one of the included songs
- Doesn’t have real strings
- Included batteries are for demo mode only and should be replaced upon use
If you’re simply looking for a toy electric guitar for your little one, rather than a smaller sized real instrument, you may as well save some coin. Our budget pick is this super fun pick from VTech. This toddler guitar features bright lights along with instrument and animal sounds for a roarin’ good time. Eight colored keys, faux strings and a whammy bar all give your little one a different sensory experience, making this one of our favorite toy guitars for toddlers.
Height: 14” | Weight: 1.03 lbs. | Age range: 1.5 to 3 years
Best wooden toy guitar
- Available in six trendy hues
- Despite wood construction, more of a toy than a real miniature guitar
When shopping for a wooden toddler guitar, it’s always a great idea to look for an environmentally friendly wood that’s sourced using sustainable methods. This one checks the box for eco-conscious consumers, made with beechwood using methods that don’t contribute to deforestation. Not only that, but this miniature guitar will enchant your little one, with whimsical colors, real strings and a cute star printed on the front.
Height: 20.8 inches | Weight: Not listed | Age range: 3+ years
Cutest dog guitar toy
- Lots of fun lights, music and sounds to keep little ones engaged
- Realistic but kid-friendly shape
- Not a real guitar
Woof! Woof! This adorable guitar from B. Toys is the clear winner if you’re in search of an adorable animal guitar toy for your little one. Despite the fact that it’s a dog, this toy gives a surprisingly authentic guitar experience, with the long dog neck doubling as a guitar neck with lots of buttons that play fun music and sounds. A small fretboard has “strings” your kiddo can pluck to get a sense for how the real thing is played, and a bone-shaped whammy bar is a fun addition as well.
Height: 9.5” | Weight: 2.07 lbs. | Age range: 2+ years
Best guitar to learn on
- Available in seven finishes
- Comes in three different sizes to suit a variety of ages
- Choose from a right- or left-handed design
- Guitar might be too large and/or heavy for very young children
When it’s time to graduate to a real instrument instead of a guitar toy, this set from Pyle is the best guitar to learn on. This classical guitar is sized down for little hands and fingers, but is a completely authentic instrument that can be used for those first guitar lessons. What’s more, it comes complete with everything they’ll need to get started, including a metronome, picks, a strap and even two months of free classes.
Height: 30” | Weight: 4.84 lbs. | Age range: 5+ years
To help you find the best toy guitars on the market today, we browsed lots of different options from some of our most trusted retailers. Musical toys like toy guitars (and even small versions suitable for little ones to actually begin learning with) should have fun, engaging colors, kid-safe materials and an authentic playing experience (with the exception of toys created for babies and very young children). When choosing our favorite baby guitars, we considered those features along with size, weight and functionality that can assist with building manual dexterity and learning colors and sounds. For each pick, we read user reviews to find out how the guitars perform in the real world, and we only sourced toy guitars from trusted retailers. We didn’t consider any child guitars with less than an average four-star rating. Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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