Drums for kids!

[MrWalker]

Hi, guys!

I'm a regular over at the Bass Forum, and I've got a three year old kid who needs something to start out with. I've found that giving him a bass guitar or an electric guitar is probably a little early, but we all need a good sense of rythms, so I therefore turn to you!

Do you have any experience with the different drums available for kids? I was thinking about the Remo Sound Shapes or the more "normal" hand drums, Nino Conga or Djembe, Bongos or hand drums.

Any advice? Appreciated! :)

[moyerbros]

I personally would try some conga drums or some sort. There are some mini size ones for kids, but they are generally a single conga. I sell some full size diameter congas (10/11 inch) that have a much shorter shell. kind of a "short stack" for the hand drums. They still have a great sound but are small enough he could still play them. If he doesn't play them, you should be able to get your money out of them on the used market or ebay.

Wes

[Old Steve]

It kind of depends on what you're trying to do. If your goal is to get your 3 year old started playing in a technically proficient manner, you can buy him a snare drum, practice pad, or smaller sized "real" kit.

If, on the other hand, you're looking to develop your child's sense of rhythm, get him interested in music, or just have a good time doing something musical, almost anything will do. Remo makes a ton of kid-oriented percussion instruments that are great (at least according to the reviews my 21 month old daugher and 4 year old son have given me). Also check out LP. They make lots of hand drums and other fun percussion stuff. I have a pair of their Cosmic Percussion (now called Aspire) series bongos that I keep in a corner of my family room. Both of my kids love playing them (my daugher likes to sit on the smaller drum while she plays the big one), and they're very high quality for the price.

We've also got a ton of different shakers around (egg shaped shakers, maracas, fruit shaped shakers) and the kids will play with them when music is on.

[MrWalker]

Thanks for your replies, both of you!

I'm in Norway, so I think shipping will kill any good deals from US, Wes, but thanks for your offer!

I'm going for the "sense-of-rythm" approach, basically. I think what I'll do is get some bongos, they are affordable and I can change the skin if necessary. I think I'll go for a variety, as you say, since kids will grow tired if they can't change a little. Thanks for the tips on the brands!