TOY INSTRUMENTS - That Sound Pleasant and Are Sturdy

The Little Tykes drum is indistructable and not so loud that you can't hear yourself think. Same with the xylophone.

We got recorder flutes for our kids this Christmas and, while they have enjoyed them, I have spent hours one end wondering what posessed us to buy them. They are shrill and loud, so not pleasant.

We got our daughter this keyboard at Target that was shaped like a cat and did different sounds (even a cat meowing in all the keys) and beats. It had a little attatched microphone. The volume was easy to control and she loved it. Here's a link so you can look at it.

http://www.amazon.com/B-68612-Meowsic-Keyboard/dp/B002YIR...

We bought the First Act Band in a Box but we DON'T recommend it. It's neither sturdy nor pleasant sounding. Good luck.

Our kid loves the Hohner glockenspiel
http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-Kids-HMX3008B-Musical-Shaker...

(not sure why Amazon has mis-labeled this toy as a "musical shaker")

He loves this, especially when we slide the "hammer" across the notes. Sounds magical to him.

It's exactly one well-tuned octave, so be prepared to play a lot of single-octave tunes
:-)

I don't get musical toys for my grandchildren without looking on Amazon and reading the customer comments. I can't stand the little xylophones that are made - for some reason - to be out of tune, but there was one that sounded pretty good and even tuneful! I wouldn't have found it without that feedback. This was a few years ago, so I don't know if it would be available even if I remembered the brand.

Maracas are pretty ear-friendly. Tambourines are loud but the sound is OK. What about a bongo-type drum rather than a snare type, if you must have one? I have a personal prejudice against any toy that claims to be a musical instrument but has programmed, push-button "music" so that what the child is doing is just pretending to be a rock star - but not exploring the possibilities of the instrument.

Good for Grandpa for wanting to do this! Toy instruments will never sound as good as real ones, and perhaps they should always come with ear plugs for the parents... :^)

I'm not being as specific as you'd like, but I hope this helps a bit.

Look on Amazon.com and read reviews. I know there is a really good Melissa & Doug piano with great reviews. Unfortunately they were sold out a couple of years ago when the grandparents bought one for my kids but that was our top choice then. We have the Parent's music kit where everything comes in a drum with a few instruments and while it is not real instruments, my kids enjoyed it.

You don't have to order through Amazon but it really helps to research things on there and see what others have to say.

Good luck.

I love this toy guitar that is shaped like a dog I saw in the store the other day, it is very unique and makes such fun sounds (B. Woofer). This keyboard is fun too (B. Meowsic). I love this brand of toys. I have seen them in Target stores and Barnes and Noble stores.

http://justb-byou.com/toys/lively/woofer/

http://justb-byou.com/toys/lively/meowsic/

http://justb-byou.com/toys/lively/parum-pum-pum/

http://justb-byou.com/toys/lively/piccolo-carousel-bells/