The Best Drum Sets for Kids & Toddlers in 2024
BornCute
Learning to play an instrument is a wonderful way for your child to not only express themselves but unleash all of their creativity out. Playing the drums is one of the best forms of exercises that your child could possibly do and it’s fun! Having your child play the drums will involve the coordinated movements of both the arms and he legs which, when combined with head-banging action of drumming to the rhythm can really be a wonderful workout for your children without them actually trying to exercise.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 31 hrs of research
Interactive
Boosts creativity
Synthetic
Durable
10 Best Drum Sets Reviewed
1. Remo Rhythm Club Floor Tom
Interactive
Boosts creativity
Synthetic
Durable
Some customers complained that when using the drumstick, it is loud and children used their hands as an alternative and the sound was no longer an issue
The Rhythm Club collection features a beautiful assortment of drums made from synthetic material. Choose between a bongo drum, floor tom drum, konga drum, and tambourine. These drums are compact and can be played with hands, mallets, or sticks and are made with hand-selected materials to provide superb sound quality.
Read moreDurability
The head of the Rhythm Club is made of synthetic materials that are guaranteed never to fluctuate in pitch regardless of changes in environmental temperatures and humidity. And with a really colorful and fun design wrapping the sides of the Rhythm Club, we’re pretty certain your children will love this, too
Design
If you’re looking for a drum set that has a bit of a rainforest sound to it then this is one for you and your family. Your children will love this bongo drum. It is the perfect way to introduce different types of sound to your child. If you’re noticing that your toddler is banging his or her hands against tables or counters maybe, it’s time to invest in one of these! They’ll love to hit along and learn how to create different sounds just by simply tapping along.
Educational Value
We love these drum sets because it allows your child to be interactive. They’ll be able to hit, tap, and learn different pitch sounds when exploring with the different mallets this drum set has to offer. It’s the perfect gift for your child who wants to learn an instrument or if you have an active toddler. Whatever the occasion, we’re sure that your family will love banging and dancing along with this drum set.
2. Mendini Cecilio 3-Piece Junior Set
Ideal for young drummers
Set includes drum throne, bass drum pedal, and drumsticks
Snare drum, mounted, and cymbal drum with a small footprint
Promotes gross motor skill development
Increases cognitive development
Foot pedal can squeak over time
Parent assembly required, time-consuming
If your little rockstar means business, consider equipping them with the Mendini by Cecilio: a three-piece junior drum set designed for children between three and six years of age. This kit includes a bass drum, a mounted tom, a mounted snare, a drum pedal, a set of drumsticks, and a padded stool.
Read moreDurability
The hardwood shells of the MJDS-1-BL help provide for a sturdier structure that can withstand wanton banging and beating. The triple flanged hoops also help ensure a more durable musical percussion instrument, just perfect for young Ringo Stars. The overall design of the Mendini by Cecilio MJDS-1-BL, with most of its musical pieces inherently anchored onto the casing of the bass, gives it a very small footprint to you will not be bothered by it taking up too much of your precious space.
Design
The set comes with hard word shelled triple flange hoops that make the perfect sound. This set is able to provide a learning drummer with everything that they need to get started playing the drums. The bass drum is mounted in the center and off to the sides is a smaller drum and off to the other side is a cymbal. The complete drum set offers a small footprint that is ideal for younger players.
Educational Value
Aspiring young drummers will be able to learn to play music easily on this set. The small footprint is a benefit for young children to be able to fully take advantage of learning every aspect of playing the drummers. Playing the drummers is a great way to promotes and encourage the development of their gross motor skills.
3. Gammon 5-Piece Junior Set
Includes five pieces and drumsticks
Made from high-quality materials
Comes in three different colors
Company offers support and part replacements
Good sound quality for the price
Cymbals aren’t as crisp and clear as some parents hoped
Some children may be too short to reach this
The Gammon 5-Piece Junior Set is the ultimate set up for young percussionists. This set includes a lug bass drum, floor tom, snare drum, hi hat cymbals and stands, bass drum pedal, drum sticks, two mounted toms, drum sticks, and a crash cymbal. The Gammon Junior Drum Kit is available in three different colors and comes with full product support.
Read moreDurability
Gammon makes percussive and drums sets of all shapes and sizes. Since this company specializes in drums and related accessories, they offer full support, including replacement parts and add-ons. This set is made with strong, high-quality materials for longevity.
Design
Sit your little star down at this shiny set! It’s perfect for children and adults love playing it, too! Little ones under 5 may need to grow into it as they might not be able to reach all of the various drums and pieces. The sound quality is reportedly decent for the price, with the cymbal being the weakest piece in the set.
Educational Value
Playing music and listening to music have proven academic and emotional benefits. People who listened to music while working or right before completing a task showed better memory retention and increased mood. Drumming is also a great way for kids to establish rhythm and work on counting.
4. Mendini Cecilio 16 inch 3-Piece Set
Boosts creativity
Enhances hand eye coordination
Adjustable
Perfect for ages 3 and up
Some customers weren’t satisfied with the overall drum set as they were a little bit more experienced but agreed with the manufacturer that it is the perfect size for someone who is just starting out
Other customers were concerned about what age range this could work for
We love this product because it teaches your children how to follow along with rhythm and may even teach your child how to read music. When using any drum sets or musical instrument your child is developing their fine motor skills as well as enhancing creativity skills. This is the perfect drum set for anyone who’s just getting started and eager to start making some noise.
Read moreDurability
Included in the set is a 16 inch by 11 inch bass drum, a hanging tom that measures 10 inches by 6 inches, then the snare drum that comes with a stand measures in at 9 ½ inches. That covers the main drums then here the features; adjustable in height drum throne with a round padding, then bass drum includes a playing pedal, plus includes in a wooden set of drum sticks. When opening the box you will find a set of instructions. The setup is easy when following the instructions. Before know it your little one will be drumming away with a smile on their face.
Design
Mendini has created this three piece drum set for the junior drummer in your life. It is a drum set that includes drums and a cymbal. A wonderful set that offers an all in one solution to learning drums. Everything that is needed to get started has been included in this drum set. Open the box, set up, and they will be playing in no time. The fully functional set is designed for a young drum. It was truly inspired by children drummers that wanted the full experience without needing all the space. The set is perfect for the young drummer that wants to get started today.
Educational Value
We love this product because it teaches your children how to follow along with rhythm and may even teach your child how to read music. When using any drum sets or musical instrument your child is developing their fine motor skills as well as enhancing creativity skills. This is the perfect drum set for anyone who’s just getting started and eager to start making some noise.
5. Remo Rainforest Floor Tom
Includes malletsPerfect size for kids
Quality, professional sound
Beautiful rainforest fabric design
Pre-tuned and can be played with hands, stick, or included mallets
It’s loud, and there’s no volume control; good luck!
The drum not only sounds great but looks gorgeous, and it’s highly durable. Customers wrote in to update that theirs had been going strong for a solid decade and still held up under all of the rough play of young kids. Made from carefully selected materials, the Remo Drums aren’t just built for longevity but also quality and enjoyability. These drums sound as beautiful as they look!
Read moreDurability
The materials used include an acoustic shell and pre-tuned Skyndeep drumhead. The drum measures roughly 10 inches across, making it a great size for kids. Whether you’re planning a classroom drum circle or making merry music at home as a family, Remo is a high-quality investment that is both polished and professional, while still being kid-friendly.
Design
This drum produces a professional, high-quality sound on an artistically constructed and decorated floor tom with a rainforest theme. Kids can play this beautifully crafted instrument with hands, mallets, or sticks. The drum is appropriate for children ages 3 and up and is a great tool in teaching children counting, rhythm, cooperative play, and the joy of music.
Educational Value
Listening to and playing music has been shown to increase productivity, information retention, and overall success and feelings of happiness in people. Drums are a great, easy instrument to start children on if they want to help make music but don’t quite have the training for more-complicated instruments. And rhythm helps to teach kids counting!
6. VTech KidiBeats
Four modes of play
Includes two drumsticks and batteries for easy set up
Lightweight and easy to move around
Helps with phonics and counting
Improves rhythm and musicality
Some of the pre-programmed rhythms are a little complicated for toddlers
The set includes two drumsticks and three AA batteries so it’s ready to go right out of the box. It’s colorful, it’s versatile, it’s musical and educational; what’s not to love? Children ages 2 to 5 years old are bound to love this fun play-and-learn set. Rock on, little ones!
Read moreDurability
Freestyle, learning to play a song, or finding a beat toddlers will love using this drum set. It comes with two drumsticks that can be used with the four different modes of electronic music machines. The interesting thing about this set is the drums actually light up to help your little one learn to play the drums. It is a structured play session that teaches them songs and beats. They follow along with lights on the drums and before you know it they will be creating music to your ears. The four ways to play make this drum set one of the most functional little sets that they can have at this age.
Design
Not only are you getting all of the benefits of a standard drum kit and musical engagement, but this kit also helps with phonics and counting as well. Switch between modes of play and watch your little one improve their fine-motor skills, coordination, sense of cause and effect, rhythm, alphabet, and counting skils.
Educational Value
Learn and play--in more ways than one. This VTech KidiBeats Drum Set sets nine melodies for your child to keep rhythm and tempo with. Genres vary from rock to pop to dance music. This set also teaches letters and numbers through two of its four different modes of play: Free Play, Letters, Numbers, and Follow Along
7. Hape Mighty Mini Band Wooden
Compact and portable
Features five different instruments
Safe, non-toxic materials
Beautiful to look at
Easy to clean
Poor sound on the xylophone
Wooden leg stand folds easily
The all-wooden design is lovely, simple, and doesn’t look too cartoonish. Additionally, the five instruments included have different tonal qualities. This gives children the chance to experiment among them and create some truly unique sounds.
Read moreDurability
Constructed from child safe and non-toxic materials this drum set is durable and safe for children. The wood that is used in the construction of this drum set is harvested from an environmentally sustained forest. Each of the toys that are sold here in the United States is designed to meet and exceed all the safety standards set for toys in this country. The multi-function drum set is a wooden toy that has been constructed to be used and played with daily allowing children to explore and learn about beats and music.
Design
he kit includes a xylophone, drum, cymbal, guiro, clapper, and drumsticks. All overlay has been screen-printed on to allow easy cleanup and lasting vibrancy. Kids will love all of the different sounds they can make. A whole world of music is waiting right at their fingertips. Without any pre-programmed functions, there’s no wrong way to play. They can rock out as a solo act, or join up and play along with family and friends.
Educational Value
This kit gives children the capabilities to play several different instruments at very basic levels. All of it is percussive, employing the same need for rhythm and counting, but the different instruments represented here also have very different and distinct sounds. With so much versatility available in one place, your little rockstar is bound to get creative.
8. Alesis DM6 USB Kit Eight-Piece
Includes sound module DM6
Features the amplifier for jam sessions and headphone jack for quiet practice
Sounds module has 108 different musical sounds
Electric drum set that feels just like the real thing
Promotes self-confidence building
Can be hard to assemble if you are not familiar with drum sets
Hi-Hat pedal does not have a firm feeling
Giving your children the gift of drumming, but also a set that you don’t have to hear them pounding away. This electric drum set is perfect for practice sessions at home. An electronic drum kit also gives you the advantage of being able to switch between the sounds of multiple genres fairly easily.
Read moreDurability
Full electric and ready to rock. This drum set is everything that a little drummer will ever need. It features a DM6 drum module that works as the brain of everything. Included in the set are headphones and an amplifier which allows them to play the drums quietly along or jam out with the band.
Design
The sound system has 108 top-notch drum sounds which allow for some great beats and extra audio sourcing. Included are a kick, a snare, three toms, two cymbals, hi-hat controller and pedal. Expressive sounds and multiple pads make this set a drummers dream.
Educational Value
Unleashing a drummer’s full potential can achieve with this drum set. When you give a child the ability to unleash their potential it gives them the ability to creatively express themselves. This not only is a great developmental skill building exercise, but it also helps build their self-confidence.
9. Swing-N-Slide Outdoor Rhythm
Easy to install
Bright,primary colors
Three different instrument sounds
Necessary hardware included
Attaches to any wooden play set
You’ll need to check dimensions to make sure these will fit where you want them to go before purchasing
The drums in this set are all easy to use, and so great for toddlers and younger kids. The fact that they’re made for the outdoors is the icing on the cake for us, as it allows kids to remain active while they play and practice. They’re weather-resistant, so you don't’ have to worry about bringing them inside and then setting them back up in the yard between jam sessions. They’re also super colorful to attract young eyes!
Read moreDurability
A blue bababaloo offers a deep drumming quality. A red bongo set gives a lighter percussive element. And the spinning yellow rain wheel provides soothing rainforest sounds similar to the quality of a maraca. This set includes a five-year warranty and easily attaches to any play set with the included hardware. Set some lights and chairs up and you can have yourself a family concert.
Design
Who says instruments belong indoors? If it’s a nice day, get out there and make some music! This colorful Swing N Slide Rhythm Set attaches to backyard play structures, giving your kids an elevated stage to play from.
Educational Value
Jamming on these drums is fun. Using their little hands, fingers, or drum sticks these backyard drums are music making dreams come true. Allowing children to use their imagination when presented with free play is a great way to develop their creativity. From creating rhythms to playing their favorite simple song these drums provide hours of endless play. Because of the construction these drums are best suited for an outside environment which is perfect for creating that full sound band with friends and leaving their creativity go wild.
10. Alesis CompactKit 4 Portable
Features velocity sensitive pads
Sound provided is realistic and professional quality
Build in; voices, percussion sounds, and songs
LCD displays music coach
Compact and portable design
Bass drum can double trigger
Remote pedal can become unresponsive when repeatedly pushed
The compact and portable design is great for kids that love to jam with their friends. Just place a couple of batteries in the drum set and they are ready to go. This tabletop drum kit includes dozens of pre-programmed songs and rhythms for young drummers to follow, as well as a music coach feature!
Read moreDurability
Built in sounds and rhythms makes this compact tabletop electric drum set perfect for learning to play music right away. It features four drum pads that are velocity-sensitive giving them a super-real feel. The built-in functions make it easy to how to play rhythms plus LCD screen features a music coach.
Design
The music coach teaches kids how to play a song and even helps them build their own. Included with the set is a set of wooden drumsticks. The best part about this drum set is that it is compact and you can take it anywhere.
Educational Value
Building rhythms and composing sounds are one of the best cognitive building exercises that you can give a kid. It builds and forms connections in the brain that are proven to help with problem-solving and math skills. The gift of music can be applied to many other skills throughout life.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
We looked for sturdiness, durability, and the overall safe construction of the set. This is particularly important for very young children as they are more prone to accidents. Drumming is not just for rock stars and boy bands. It is definitely for everyone. While we don’t expect your kid to be a master of the drums and cymbals, we can guarantee you they will fall in love with our 9 best drum sets for kids in 2019. At the same time, you’ll be glad you gave them such instruments to develop their creativity. You can find more great products like this in our musical toys category.
Design
The individual features of the products were also evaluated. Unfortunately, we had to base these on the actual first-hand experiences of consumers especially those who have kids who are already using these items. It was imperative for us to check whether these musical instruments really did serve their purpose in real life. Design and manufacturing integrity were thus, important considerations which we correlated with the drum-maker’s reputation.
Educational Value
Since the drums that we had in mind for this endeavor is primarily intended for kids, we had to focus on the developmental appropriateness of these kids drums. That’s why if you have noticed we have an entire range of youth drum set packages for toddlers all the way to tweens. It would be grossly unjust if we only focused on professional sets as younger kids will still not have the physical capabilities to use these larger musical instruments. That being said, we had to make sure the product closely matches the developmental skills of the age group of children it is intended for.
Durability Design Educational Value 
Drumming can promote a deeper sense of self-awareness. While kids may not realize it, every beat that they make actually synchronizes their brain activities. This leads to more active alpha waves which can help provide for a more relaxed state. This can be very helpful among kids who live in stressful environments.
Drumming can be a great tool for kids to enhance their visual-motor coordination as well as spatial skills. Beating the drums require an understanding of rhythms and patterns. This is translated into the coordinated movements of the hands and feet with inputs from the other senses.
Drumming is essentially for everyone. It doesn’t really require an innate musical talent. You only need to be able to carry on a beat and you should be fine. Best of all, it actually transcends everything as every single culture in this world has some form of tradition that involves drumming. This can help kids in their overall development.
Drumming is known to reduce stress as a form of diversion activity for the mind to focus on. Likewise, it has been shown that drumming can facilitate the improved secretion of natural endorphins making us happier and more content about ourselves. When kids feel happy, they are also able to accomplish many other things including their academic and extra-curricular activities.
Other Factors to Consider
Value
When you’re trying to establish the value of a product, consider how long it will last you, whether it fills the purpose you need it to, and how it compares to other products on the market. Some drum sets may be less expensive but produce a poorer sound quality. Others are a large investment but may not be quite what your family and your little drummer is looking for. When calculating value, we usually take the median price of our top ten and compare from there.
Creativity
Drumming is not just for rock stars and boy bands. It is definitely for everyone. While we don’t expect your kid to be a master of the drums and cymbals, we can guarantee you they will fall in love with our 9 best drum sets for kids in 2019. At the same time, you’ll be glad you gave them such instruments to develop their creativity. You can find more great products like this in our musical toys category.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Will a drum set help improve my child’s creativity?
Yes, a drum set will dramatically help your child’s creativity! Drum sets, or any kind of music-making toy, stimulates your child’s imagination. Because the child is producing the music themselves, and having quite a bit of fun while doing it, they are engaging their auditory senses. This activity helps develop their more detail-oriented listening skills, while also incentivizes them to create more and different music.
q: What will a drum set do for my child’s overall creativity?
Overall, you will see a boost in your child’s creativity thanks to the addition of a drum set. Like all musical toys, drum sets are fun because your child gets to create their own music. By creating their own music, your child gets to experiment with sounds, rhythm, and melodies. This creates a very imaginative environment for your child filled with their own creations, thus promoting a level of creativity a child wouldn’t get with non-musical toys.
q: Can a drum set help my child’s hand-eye coordination?
Just how drums for babies promotes creativity in children, drum sets also dramatically improve a child’s hand-eye coordination. Because a drum set requires the child to hit and pound the drum to produce sound, the child soon learns that hitting the drum differently produces different sounds. So not only is your child creating music, but they’re also learning how to produce sounds using their hands and the drum.
q: What are the biggest safety concerns with drum sets?
Drum sets are fairly safe toys, but there is one danger, in particular, you want to watch out for. Because a child will be continuously hitting and banging on the drum set, you want to be sure the drum itself is sturdy. If not, then the child could break the toy. And if the toy breaks, that means your child could injure their hands, possibly choke on the pieces, or become injured in the kick back. But, lucky for you, all the drum sets on this list are extremely sturdy.
q: What other benefits can a drum set bring to my child?
Strangely enough, a drum set can actually make your child physically stronger. Because drum sets require your child to reuse the same muscle groups over and over again, they develop really strong arms and shoulders. This might not seem very beneficial, but a lot rests on your child’s shoulders. For one thing, your child’s upper body and neck are supported by the shoulders. By strengthening your child’s arms and shoulders, their posture is also aided.
q: Would a drum set help my child socialize or improve socially?
While playing an instrument can do many things for your child, playing music has not been shown to create more social children. Now, if you incorporate other children into musical playtime, say playing pretend band, then it could have some social impact.
q: Is there an appropriate or recommended age for drum sets?
Children as young as 6 months can play with toy drum sets; it all just comes down to what the recommended age of the product is. If a drum set is recommended for 6 to 18 month olds, then an older child right become bored with it very fast. If a child is below the recommended age, then the toy might be so complicated for them that they won’t know what to do with it. So, while there really is no right or wrong age for drum sets, always go by the recommended product age.
Sources
- , 5 Main Benefits of Drumming for Children with Special Needs, Informative Article
- , The Benefits of Drumming in Early Development and Education, Blog Article
- , The Top 10 Benefits of Learning Drums, Infographic
- , 4 Benefits of Drumming for Toddlers, Informative Article
