Children love music, and if you’d like to encourage your child’s inner musician to get a good head start, rhythm is a good place to begin. Almost every child has a knack for rhythm – in fact, keeping time with a steady beat is innate to most people. It’s almost as if drumming is an instinct! With the best toddler drum sets for your child’s age and interest level, you can give them a great foundation in music while treating them to active play sessions.
Key Considerations when Choosing the Best Drum Set for a Toddler
When you’re choosing a drum kit for a toddler, it’s important to remember that your child is going to grow fast, meaning unless you’ve got a child who is even younger, this drum set might soon be outgrown. Affordability and simplicity are just a couple of factors to keep in mind as you make your choice.
Affordability – You want a drum kit that’s kind to your pocketbook. Some of the best toddler drum sets cost less than $200 while offering some great features and sounding pretty good, too. Cheaper ones under the $100 mark don’t sound as nice but they’re still fun to play.
Quality – Simple toy drums are fun, but they’ll only take your child so far. Look for a toddler drum kit that has some of the same features found in full-size drum sets. A setup with a snare drum, at least one tom-tom, a bass drum, and at least one cymbal is ideal.
Size – Ensure that the drum kit you purchase suits your toddler’s size. Too small, and they’ll outgrow it too quickly. Too large, and they’ll have a difficult time reaching, which can lead to frustration. If you have to choose one or the other, go with a drum kit that’s a touch too large – they’ll grow into it eventually, and they can enjoy some of the features in the meantime.
Necessary Components Included – When choosing a drum set for your toddler, ensure that it includes everything you’ll need for setup, or double-check to see if you can purchase these items separately. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a set that comes with a drum key, a kid-sized drum throne with an adjustable seat, junior drumsticks, stands for the drums and cymbals, and a kick pedal for the bass.
With these factors and others in mind, here are our top five picks for best toddler drum set.
| Brand | Model | Rating | Price |
| Gammon | 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit |  (4.5 / 5) |
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| Mendini | MJDS-1-BR 3 Drum Set |  (4.2 / 5) |
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| Mendini | MJDS-3-BK 3 Piece Drum Set |  (4.1 / 5) |
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| Music Alley | DBJK02 Kids 3 Piece Drum Kit |  (4 / 5) |
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| Union | DBJ3067 3 Piece Toy Drum Set | (4 / 5) |
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Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit
The Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit comes with everything your child needs to get off to a solid start. With genuine wood shells and sturdy hardware, the kit includes a 16” bass drum, a floor tom, two mounted toms, and a snare drum. Hi-hat cymbals and a crash cymbal are included in the package, along with pedals for the bass drum and hi-hat. An adjustable, padded drum throne, a drum key, and a pair of wooden drum sticks makes this set complete.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors including Blue, Black, Red, Green, and Pink
- Replacement parts are available as necessary
- Good quality for lessons, sturdy and well-made
Cons
- Priced a little higher than some other toddler drum kits
- A little hard for very small kids (around age 2) to reach the pedals
- Hardware is a little cheap, but can easily be replaced if desired
This Toddler Bass Drum Set is Best For:
If you have a child between 3 and 10 years old, and are looking for a decent drum kit that’s a few steps above a toy, then this is a great choice. While the sound isn’t quite professional, it’s definitely decent. This kit does cost a bit more than some others, but it comes with some very nice extras including a floor tom. Kids can set it up the way they want to, and they’ll have an easy time transitioning to a full-size drum kit when they’re ready to grow out of this one.
Mendini MJDS-1-BR 3 Drum Set
The Mendini MJDS-1-BR 3-Drum Set is recommended for kids between three and eight years old. This kit is painted a bright red, and includes a 13×8 bass drum, a 10×4 mounted snare drum, an 8” cymbal with an arm, and an 8×6 mounted tom. The kit also includes a round, padded height-adjustable drum throne, a pair of drum sticks, and a kick pedal for the bass drum. A one-year warranty is included.
Pros
- Sounds decent
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with everything needed to get started with playing right away
Cons
- Mounts for tom-tom and snare drum occasionally come loose, need to be tightened from time to time
- Some purchasers had issues with drum pedal squeaking; newer reviews suggest that the manufacturer has corrected this known issue.
This Toddler Bass Drum Set is Best For:
Small-sized genuine hardwood shells make the Mendinin MJDS-1-BR 3 drum set look and sound very much like a scale model of a professional drum kit. It’s just right for aspiring drummers who need a kit they can use for a few years, and at about $100, it’s a great choice for most budgets.
Mendini MJDS-3-BK Drum Set
The Mendini MJDS-3-Bk-Drum Set is recommended for children between 2.5 and 5 feet tall. It includes a 16×11 bass drum, a 10×6 hanging tom, a 9.5 inch cymbal with a bass mounted stand, and a 10×5 inch snare drum with its own stand. A round, padded height adjustable drum throne, wooden drum sticks and a bass drum kick pedal are included, along with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Good size for kids about 2 to 8 years old, won’t be quickly outgrown
- Snare has a dial for adjustment, easy to use
- Quality components including replaceable drum heads
- Comes in different colors
Cons
- Snare drum isn’t secured to stand, can tip if kids aren’t careful
- Tom tom moves easily, may need to be repositioned occasionally
This Toddler Bass Drum Set is Best For:
If you’re looking for a fully functional drum set for a toddler to grow into, then you may want to put this one on your shortlist. The separate snare drum is a nice touch, as it helps kids set up their kit the way they want it. While this set is designed or kids, there are a few adults who mention using it in tight spaces. The sound is decent, as is the overall quality.
Music Alley Kids 3 Piece Beginners Drum Kit DBJK02
The Music Alley 3 Piece Beginners Drum Kit includes two hanging tom toms, a bass drum, and a cymbal. A round, cushioned height adjustable drum throne is included, along with a bass drum kick pedal and a pair of wooden drum sticks. This set is available in your choice of black or blue.
Pros
- Durable and attractive; Real wood drum shells with chrome hardware
- Good quality for the price
- Excellent size for smaller kids
Cons
- No snare drum; must be purchased separately
- A couple of reports of the drums being outgrown by about age 5
This Toddler Bass Drum Set is Best For:
If you don’t care about having a snare drum right away and you’re looking for a toddler drum for a child as young as 2, the Music Alley Kids 3 Piece Beginners Drum Kit may be ideal. This is a very affordable kit that’s priced well under the $100 mark. It is easy to set up, and requires very little space.
Union DBJ3067 3-Piece Toy Drum Set with Cymbal and Throne
The Union DBJ3067(DB) 3-Piece Toy Drum Set is designed to treat the smallest kids to a fun drumming experience. With an 8×13 inch bass drum, a 5 x 8.5 inch tom tom, and a 5×10 inch snare drum, it also includes a cymbal, an adjustable mini drum throne, bass drum spurs, and a cymbal. All hardware is included, as is a drum tuning key and a pair of drum sticks. This toddler drum set comes in your choice of metallic dark blue, pin, and metallic red.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Sized to fit small toddlers starting around age 2
- Drums are tunable, just like on more expensive sets
Cons
- Stool is a touch tall for some of the smallest kids
- Assembly instructions aren’t as clear as they could be
This Toddler Bass Drum Set is Best For:
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly toddler drum set to fit a child age two to four and perhaps a bit older, then this may be the right one for you. While it’s not quite as nice as others that made their way onto our list of the best drum sets for toddlers, it is plenty of fun for a budding musician to play, and it’ll help them get a feel for basic rhythms.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Toddler Drum Set
Remember, all toddler drum sets are designed for beginners. In reading reviews, we’ve found that some consumers seem to expect top-quality sound from these drums. The truth is, miniature drums with plastic heads simply are not going to sound the same as those found in a high-quality professional drum kit. It’s best to look for a combination of durable, desirable components in a kit that’s sized for your child’s comfort, and then move into a better-quality drum set when the time is right.
Last, but not least, remember to purchase the appropriate hearing protection for your little drummer, and most of all, have fun! We wish you the best of luck as you embark on this musical journey with your child. The future is looking bright!
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