When your child is still little, they are much more capable of forming habits and learning new skills, such as playing a musical instrument. To start off, you can gift them the best baby xylophone to teach them all about tones, rhythms, scales, and octaves, thus exposing them to the language of music. Of course, it might seem like your child is simply hammering away with their mallet, but with practice, they will start to develop a more defined musical acumen. Xylophones are colorful and visually stimulating and are great for honing children’s creativity, dexterity, motor skills, sensory skills, hand-eye coordination, and more. However, choosing the correct xylophone is a necessity, as you don’t want to get stuck with an instrument that feels gimmicky and doesn’t fully engage your little one. We have listed the top xylophones for babies that sound great and are durable. Keep scrolling.
15 Best Baby Xylophones
1. Best Child-Safe: Hape Pound & Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone
Let your little one explore different sounds and notes by pounding on the balls and letting them fall on the musical keys or by pulling out the xylophone to create their own innovative music with a wooden mallet. This xylophone instrument enhances hand-eye coordination, arm movement, dexterity, audio recognition, musical exploration, and fine motor skills. It also promotes problem-solving, spatial, matching, and critical thinking skills and understanding of the relationship between cause and effect. The xylophone has rounded edges, well-polished wooden surfaces, and bright rainbow colors to give your toddler many years of joy. Check out this video for a brief review of the product. Pros
Made of durable material Child-safe and non-toxic finish Water-based paint Ideal for introducing your little one to music
Cons
Sound quality could have been better May be slightly heavy for some
2. Best PVC-Free: Skip Hop Explore & More Fox Xylophone
This cute little fox xylophone for babies has eight keys in different colors, which toddlers can tap with the attached mallet to discover their musical talent and be as creative as they want. These eight keys cover the full range of musical notes and promote the development of fine motor skills and creative skills. The mallet is attached to a cord and encourages them to make music wherever they go while preventing the mallet from getting misplaced. The mallet and cord can also be used by your toddler to drag the xylophone that has wheels attached. The fox xylophone measures 13x6x4in and has the mallet stored under the belly. Pros
Free of PVC and phthalates Lightweight design Fox bobs up and down Has smooth wheels to move easily
Cons
Xylophone may be a bit wider than expected Tune might be slightly off
3. Best Non-Toxic: Rolimate Hammering & Pounding Xylophone
This unique and innovative four-in-one toy includes a tap table, three colorful wooden balls, six colorful wooden blocks in different shapes, a wooden hammer, and a xylophone with two xylophone sticks. The xylophone features eight different notes which enhance their auditory and creative skills. It also comes with a colorful shape sorter that helps them recognize various colors and shapes, and pounding the colorful balls promotes tactile development. The numbers and patterns on the wooden blocks stimulate their imagination and creativity. Made of natural beech wood, the surfaces are well polished and the edges are rounded so that your toddler is always safe. Take a look at this video to learn about the merits and demerits of the product. Pros
Water-based and fade-resistant paint Non-toxic and free of BPA, lead, and phthalates Eco-friendly ASTM and EN71-approved Sensory toy for children with autism Burr-free edges Compact and easy to store
Cons
Balls may crack May require adult supervision
4. Best Versatile: Ohuhu Baby Xylophone
Introduce your little one to music with this versatile toy xylophone. It has ten classical songs and eight preprogrammed nursery rhymes to let children learn something new and play along. It’s an all-in-one set, and you can choose between the sound effects of a xylophone, trumpet, guitar, piano solmization, and color words. The rainbow-colored keys help children learn colors, numbers, and animal sounds and are a great educational tool. This xylophone also includes a whac-a-mole game with five levels, two modes for music and songs, jazz drum, and three kinds of drum beats. This xylophone is part instrument and part learning tool, with loads of fun. Your little child will master rhythm, notes, counting, and animal identification. Pros
Comes with a volume controller Includes dual drumstick slots Comes with a bottom stand for positioning the xylophone Sparks creativity Bright colors
Cons
Some buttons may be not be durable enough Keys may wobble over time
5. Best For Learning: Fisca 3-in-1 Musical Instruments
This interesting musical toy includes an electronic xylophone, a piano keyboard, and a beat drum set. The xylophone for children can be played in the glockenspiel mode, xylophone mode, animal mode with seven animal sounds, and 1-to-8-number mode. The beat drum set can be played in the play mode as a jazz drum and djembe, while the music mode has three beats and nine songs. Further, it includes a whack-a-mole game with five levels of difficulty. The piano keyboard can be played in the piano mode, solmization mode, trumpet mode, guitar mode, and color mode with eight colors. This musical toy encourages curiosity, imitation, and exploration, and enhances cognitive and visual development in a fun way. It also helps children recognize musical scales, numbers, instruments, colors, animals, and animal sounds. Pros
Made of high-quality plastic Smooth surfaces with no rough edges Encourages learning Easy to assemble Makes a great gift for children
Cons
Drum sticks may be smaller than expected Animal sounds may sound funny
6. Best For Enhancing Creativity: VTech Zoo Jamx Xylophone – Green
Let your child make this caterpillar their new friend and learn music at the same time. This adorable caterpillar has three interactive modes and several levels of fun. It features eight bars that light up to play songs and musical notes. Your child can watch the caterpillar play a song and then mimic it, or they can follow the lights on the keys note by note to learn how to play a song. They can also use their imagination to create their own music by tapping the keys with the attached mallet. The caterpillar xylophone for kids plays both old and new tunes and moves its head from side to side. Your baby can also use the mallet to pull the caterpillar and play music wherever they go. Pros
Teaches sing-along songs Enhances creativity Multiple levels of games Available in other colors
Cons
Rope may be short Batteries may exhaust quickly
7. Best Odorless: Kidwill Baby Xylophone
This multifunctional toy can be used as a musical xylophone, a classic pounding bench, and a number maze puzzle. The wooden toy xylophone has eight notes, which your child can tap with the mallet to improve musical skills and audio recognition. The whack-a-mole game on the other side has ten hamster pegs that pop up and down, and as two mallets and two hammers are included, your child can play this entertaining game with friends. This game enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and strengthens arm muscles. The number maze puzzle offers food for the brain and improves number recognition. This toy is beautifully designed for your baby’s small hands to touch and grasp, and makes a great gift for all occasions. Pros
Made of high-quality wood Sturdy and durable Smooth finish Non-toxic Odorless water-based paint Delicate print and patterns
Cons
No dedicated storage space for mallets Wood may not be splinter-proof
8. Best BPA-Free: Top Bright Wooden Xylophone For Kids
Your little toddler will love this xylophone with its eight rainbow-colored keys and accurate tuning. Each key matches the notes assigned to them on which your baby can create beautiful melodies. Its durable and long-lasting wooden base gives your kid many years of joy on the xylophone. Included are three classical music sheets, which encourage your budding musicians to play simple and fun songs and also familiarize themselves with rhythms, octaves, and intervals. It also enhances fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, develops muscles, and improves dexterity while also teaching them to recognize and match colors. Made of natural wood and securely attached metal keys, this toy xylophone is extremely safe for your child. Pros
Mallets made of plastic material Smooth surface ASTM-certified Storage space for mallets Sturdy wooden base Free of odor, BPA, lead, and phthalates
Cons
Sounds may not be consistent Sticks may be thin
9. Best For Fine Motor Skills: Baby Einstein Magic Touch Xylophone
Encourage your baby to express themselves with this delightful xylophone, which they can play either in instructor mode or freestyle mode. Your baby can tap out new tunes with the mallet in the freestyle mode and discover the relationship between sound and effect in the instructor mode. Your baby can play instrumental sounds with just a touch, thanks to its magic touch technology. It features more than 30 melodies and sounds as well as colored keys and lights that will delight any child. It has the added advantage of three levels of volume control to let you control the volume as per your requirements. Pros
Smooth edges Attached mallet Hones fine motor skills Easy-to-operate buttons Free of PVS, lead, and phthalates
Cons
Wood may not be splinter-proof May be slightly wobbly
10. Best Eco-Friendly: Musicube Xylophone For Kids
This fantastic percussion kit includes a xylophone, a harmonica, two music cards, and two wooden mallets and is perfect for children above the age of three years. The xylophone for beginners has eight colorful keys in C major for great sound and a realistic musical experience. It features two wooden mallets that can be stored in the wooden base so that it doesn’t get misplaced. The keys are attached to the wooden base with plastic nails to prevent your baby from being hurt. They also feature cushions to stabilize the sound. Perfect for improving gross motor skills, cognitive development, and eye-hand coordination, it also enhances creativity as they explore new possibilities while creating music. It also includes a diatonic 20t, ten-hole harmonica that goes well with the xylophone so that children can start their own little band. Pros
Made of eco-friendly plywood Accurately tuned metal keys Includes two music cards Has smooth edges Non-toxic and ASTM-certified
Cons
Stick may not be break-resistant Keys may wobble over time
11. Munchkin Dingray Xylophone Musical Bath Toy
Make bath time even more fun for your baby with this musical bath toy, which they can use even outside the tub. It features a xylophone shaped like a stingray along with a mallet for tapping the keys and creating music. Made of soft and durable material, it has five colorful keys and can float on water for endless fun. Your child can play simple songs and can make fun sounds on this xylophone. The toy xylophone not only encourages creativity and musical talent in your child, but also improves hand-eye coordination. So, help your child have fun while also helping with their creative and emotional development. Pros
Helps with cognitive development Rust-resistant metal keys Highly safe for your baby Promotes motor skills
Cons
Stick may not have a ball at the end May be smaller than expected
12. Best Lightweight: Basic Fun Fisher Price Classic Pull-A-Tune Xylophone
Depending on your child’s mood, this can be used as a classic pull toy or played as a toy xylophone. Its retro design features eight brightly colored keys with red wheels and a yellow mallet. The keys are attached with plastic screws for the safety of your child. Ideal for children between 18 months and two years, it promotes creativity and imagination and develops their musical skills. An ideal first instrument for your baby, it will allow them to enjoy many hours of beautiful melodies. Pros
Rust-proof Durable Lightweight Non-toxic material
Cons
Pull cord may be slightly short Tune may not be as expected
13. Best Portable: DeXop School Bus Xylophone
Familiarize your baby with rhythms and scales with this school bus xylophone that features seven colorful keys. It also features plastic mallets that can be stored safely in the bus. Your baby can explore their musical skills through creative play and develop artistic and fine motor skills along the way. This xylophone for babies also includes a shape sorter with seven vibrantly colored blocks in different shapes which your baby can fit into corresponding holes in the bus. It develops perception of shapes, colors, and objects, and the blocks are easy to grasp and big enough not to pose a choking hazard. It sports a bead design in the front that stimulates curiosity and sensory perception. It’s easy-rolling wheels and rope attached to the mallet help your baby pull the bus along anywhere and play music whenever they want. Pros
Smooth surface Durable and safe Made of eco-friendly materials Easy to store Functional bus door Suitable for children with autism
Cons
Beads may not be break-resistant String may not be long enough
14. Best Convenient: Manhattan Toy Beats To Go Wooden Xylophone
Watch your baby develop a sense of music and rhythm with this wooden musical toy. This multi-instrument toy includes a xylophone, cymbal, drums, washboard, and two drumsticks to get your baby’s creative juices flowing. It helps your baby to identify which instrument they are interested in and develops fine and gross motor skills along the way. The toy xylophone has seven colored keys on which your baby can tap out all the music they want. This wooden toy has a handle for portability and a place underneath with elastic cords for storing the two drumsticks, while its three legs keep it stable as a table top. Pros
Water-based paint Non-toxic finish Rigorously tested for safety Make a great gift for any occasion
Cons
Contains small parts Sound may be a bit loud
15. Best ABS Plastic: Oprala 2-In-1 Piano Xylophone
This green xylophone for children comes with a mallet and can also be used as a piano. The eight keys are vibrantly colored and each key has a number on it. This baby instrument features digital cartoon signs and bright colors, which babies find very attractive. This makes it possible for your baby to easily distinguish them and pick up tunes faster. Your baby can use the mallet to hit the keys of the xylophone or press the keys of the piano to create tunes, thus developing their eye-hand coordination, musical cognition, and auditory skills. It also enhances color recognition, fine motor skills, sensory engagement, language skills, basic rhythms, and musical skills. Pros
Made of safe ABS plastic Free of BPA and lead Safe and non-toxic Designed with round and burr-free edges Develops independent thinking
Cons
May be smaller than expected
Now that you have been through our review of the 15 best baby xylophones, let us give you a few tips on what to consider before choosing one for your baby so that they develop a sense of music and have fun at the same time.
How To Choose The Right Xylophone For Babies
Size
Xylophones are available in a variety of sizes and you need to decide what best suits your baby. A larger xylophone will be louder and more powerful while a smaller xylophone will be a little mellow but can still have a great range of tones. Larger xylophones, though more durable with a more dynamic tone, tend to be more expensive and heavier.
Volume
This is determined by the size of the xylophone— the bigger the xylophone, the louder the sound. This may not be ideal for a smaller child, especially if you are looking for something mellow. But if you want your xylophone to sound as loud as it can, you need to get a big xylophone.
Material
Wood xylophones are definitely more durable than plastic ones, and they also have a better sound quality. High quality material can withstand breakage and other damage better, as children can be rather rough with their toys and might constantly hammer the keys with the mallet. Also, each key should be securely attached in place, and ensure that there are no splinters, especially on the keys and sticks of the xylophone. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that the xylophone doesn’t have any small or loose parts that can be accidentally swallowed by your kid.
Range of the xylophone
Xylophones for smaller children are usually small in size and limited to 1 octave. As they get bigger, the xylophones can go up to 3.5 octaves. If you feel your kid might be interested in playing the xylophone in the long run, you should get them a xylophone that is not limited to 1 octave so that they are able to play a much wider range of notes and music.
Stimulation
The best baby xylophones will have cute, fun designs and bright colors so that they are visually stimulating for your baby. Ideally, they should also have letters on each key as it will give your baby and you the first lesson in creating music. Some xylophones even carry song cards so that children can learn how to play songs.
Why Trust MomJunction?
The soothing tones of xylophones can cheer up babies and their parents. While plenty of toy xylophones are available, our team has compiled a well-researched list of the best xylophones available in the market. The features of each product have been mentioned in detail, and we have also included a buying guide to help you pick the right one. These toys have received positive user ratings and reviews on multiple e-commerce sites.
Recommended Articles :
Best Musical Instruments For Kids Best Babies’ Musical Toys Best Toys For Babies With Down Syndrome
