(Part 2) Best drum & percussion instruments for kids according to redditors

Fruit Shakers

A noise maker like these ones.

I was in a band like five years ago. One summer, we had to kick out our lead singer, which was necessary because he stopped showing up to practices, but he was an old friend of ours and it was more "ughhhh" than I wanted it to be. He stops talking to the remainder of the band for a couple months, and things are just starting to thaw out by Christmas.

So I bought him a Band in a Bucket. http://www.amazon.com/First-FA554-Discovery-Band-Bucket/dp/B0002KJ2VQ

He was a total douche. Best present I ever purchased.

Mostly just wanted to say good for you. I don't think you can go too wrong here, especially if this is your first time giving her a dedicated day. I guarantee she will appreciate it, no matter what.

I would second most of what the others have already said: get her some cute and decently made diapers, give her a few bottles (add a little sugar/sweetner to the milk and warm it a little to make it extra wonderful). I'd recommend getting a bottle with an adult sized nipple (it can be a little difficult with the baby ones), too. Prepare her food for her and maybe feed her, depending on how little she is. I actually like baby food, myself - you might make her try some (something fruity - not veggies/meats), but sounds like your wife might be a little older than me, so maybe mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs might be in order. Maybe make her wear a bib, depending on her age.

I think cuddling is one of the most important things - spend lots of time cuddling her and holding her. I also second the kisses on the forehead. Tell her you love her just the way she is, and use whatever little pet names you have for her (or princess or sweet pea if you haven't given her one yet). If you're big enough/she's small enough, maybe carry her some.

Watch some Disney for sure, but also be sure to read her some cute/fun bedtime stories when you put her down. Then put on music box-esque lullaby music softly (search lullabies on YouTube).

I'd caution you on the spanking(s) - some people love that but others don't - you should know or ask your wife about that, don't assume.

Lots of folks like pats on the butt now and again to be reminded of their diapers. You should definitely make a deal about checking her diaper (fingers in the elastic to see if she's wet).

If she doesn't have an adult sized pacifier, get her one (but it sounds like she might). Likewise, she probably has a favorite stuffie, but if not, get her one. I also wouldn't go get furniture to start, but a cute snap-crotch onesie and/or footie pajamas would be great.

I also highly recommend toys. I love my visual rainmaker (https://www.amazon.com/MP400-Visual-Rainmaker/dp/B0018YYPJ4) and my Perplexus Epic. I can really play with those for a good while and feel like a baby, moreso than some baby toys. As others have said, coloring is also always good, as is Play Doh.

Try to enjoy her happiness and enter into the pretend with her as best you can. The straighter you can play it that's she's really little, the better. Whatever you do though, it will be great!

I was the one who posted about the Elmo drum set, then my boyfriend pointed out that it had bad reviews ;) We're both drummers and wanted to add some percussion to her musical Christmas wish list. We were hoping to pick this up for her, if it's okay with you/her family. We didn't want to surprise you with the loudest Christmas ever so we were waiting for permission.

If it's okay, please either add it to the list (and this which is also adorable and I think she'd like) or PM the address to send it to.

At that age all he'd be able to do is hold things and bring them to his mouth. Teethers, cloth books, and rattles would be your best bet. If it were me, I would go with one of these animal shakers because they could still be used years down the road. We have one of them and my 2 year old son and 9 month old nephew both love it.

Child-sized accordion.

My daughter loves moana. I got her a moana doll, the necklace she has in the movie and a dress up outfit that moana wears. Also if you want something musical Melissa and doug has a great music set. https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Band-Box-Clang/dp/B00005RF5C

I'm a big believer in things that last. My daughter, who is now 3.5 loves this sweet set of bells which we got her for her 2nd birthday. The sound is actually not grating, either. http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-Rainbow-Music-Spin-Bells/dp/B009R7N2M0
And this scooter is worth its weight in gold: http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mini-Kick-Scooter-Blue/dp/B0068ZRYZU/ref=pd_sim_sg_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FQTZ3HMBNP4GVG6QC51
Her kitchen set is a perennial favorite as well.

I bought a year subscription and pay about $20 a box. So far my son has adored pretty much everything that they have sent. The products are always good quality (Tiny Love, Melissa & Doug, Plum Organics, etc), and I feel that the overall value of the products exceeds $20. I also really look forward to the surprise every month. So far his favorites have been the Frog Prince toy, a rain maker music toy and the stacking cups.

http://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Love-Smart-Rattle-Frog/dp/B003TW5J2K/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1376058378&sr=1-2&keywords=tiny+love+frog

http://www.amazon.com/Hohner-SRM008-8-Toddler-Rainmaker/dp/B0002FOAHC/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1376058402&sr=1-1&keywords=rain+maker

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Toys-First-Stacker-Colors/dp/B0036WSVQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1376058424&sr=1-1&keywords=green+toys+stack

Look for any really sharp corners or pokey parts on the drum set. That said, we got this one around 6 months and it is awesome. http://www.amazon.com/Remo-RHYTHM-Diameter-Height-Graphics/dp/B0002Q1XMG/ref=pd_cp_MI_0

> I'm considering modding my RB4 fender with a simple 3.5mm coupler jammed into where the jack should be, with a cable just soldered to the tilt module.

I did this. I put the jack coming out of the base of the guitar, about two inches below the peg for the strap when you're holding the guitar to play it. I wired it into the Dpad left button, which also activates overdrive.

I'm using a Paper Jamz pedal, if someone needs an inexpensive pedal, but a RB bass pedal will work as well.

It looks like a Toysmith Rock On! Drum Set.

The NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert series has so much good music on it btw!

cat version of this http://www.amazon.com/Trophy-Music-Spinning-Drum/dp/B00A7WF5J2

I think the free night of sitting is an awesome idea. I have done it several times. I usually make something up in photoshop and print it out or you could hand-draw something. It wasn't awkward for me at all, but I think the parents felt a bit odd about using it (probably not all would, but mine did). Like when they asked me to sit, they were like "can we use the coupon?" I said of course. Then DB still tried to pay me at the end of the night..LOL. Plus they didn't stay out as late as they usually would, so I could tell they were trying not to take advantage. I have also had the kids pic put on an ornament.


8month old- Will be walking soon, so how about something they can play with now/push later? This one is out of the price range you said, but I know there are less expensive versions. I got my lil' one this activity walker and she loves it

She also likes the Little Tikes Mower

Or type "ball popper" into Amazon. Just about every company makes some version of a ball popper and the kids usually have fun chasing balls all over. She may be too young, but this is great too

For the 2.5: My son had this food set when he was little It is so much fun. by Melissa&Doug. It comes with a play knife and you "cut" through the velcro holding it together. Even I liked playing with it..lol

For unique instruments, how about something like this I had to look up the name. There are lots of versions

I thought of it because my son has this one you take the stick out and run it along the back :)

Other ideas for different instruments: maracas, xylophones, recorder or flutophone, ocarina, harmonica. I found a tiny Ukulele at the dollar store the kids couldn't get enough of it.

Music is very stimulating for toddlers!

Speaking of books, for Christmas for my honeybee I'm trying to get him a lot of books! That bookshelf sounds wonderful. Do you have any pictures of it?

This for my daughter please :-)

Capo, picks, strings, string winder, and a couple of these

http://www.amazon.com/Nino-Percussion-NINOSET540-Plastic-Assortment/dp/B0002F5CQK/ref=sr_1_5?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1408469595&sr=1-5&keywords=castanets

http://www.amazon.com/Trophy-3505-Triangle-5-Inch/dp/B000XP0CMS/ref=sr_1_6?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-6&keywords=castanets

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Band-Set/dp/B00020V4Y4/ref=sr_1_8?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1408469619&sr=1-8&keywords=castanets

Some more fun things I found that others might be interested in:

Mini Theremin

Maywa Denki Mr.Knocky Drumstick Type Music Instrument

Stylophone Retro Pocket Synth

Boomwhackers (most of you probably already have these in your classroom)