Music is a powerful tool for learning, joy, and connection. And while we highly recommend starting with the inspiration and support of a weekly Kindermusik class for even more ideas for musical play at home, bringing music into your home is easy, fun, and deeply enriching for your child, especially during their early years.
Add in some instruments and a music playlist, and it’s really as simple as making a little time each day to enjoy music together.

To help you get started, here’s a parent-friendly guide to inspire musical play for your Kindermusik-age child (newborn to 6 years old).
Start an Instrument Collection
You can begin collecting age-appropriate instruments that will foster an early interest and love for music. Start with a few, and add as you go. Here are a few of our favorites:
0–18 Months and Up
- Mini Jambourine
- Clip Clap
- Fish Baby Shaker
- Young Maestro Tambourine
- Baby Bell
- Double Egg Shaker
- Kindermusik Chime Ball
2 Years and Up
- Rhythm Sticks
- Sandblocks
- Kindermusik Zig Zag Blocks
- Toddler Bell
- Egg Shakers
- Animal Shaker
3 Years and Up
- Rhythm Sticks
- Mini Maracas
- Tambourine
- Guiro
- Ankle Bells
- One-Bell Jingle
All of these high-quality, child-safe instruments are available from Kindermusik International.
Create Some Music Playlists
Even if you’re not currently enrolled in our Kindermusik classes at Piano Central Studios, you can access free, engaging songs via the free Kindermusik app that will inspire and complement your child’s instrument play. A curated playlist can spark their interest and enhance their musical experience.
There are lots of ways to organize your playlists – by mood (calm or lively), by activity type, (dancing, rocking, or listening), or by theme (animals, farm, love, family, etc.)
The point is to have a few go-to playlists right at your fingertips. These playlists can be lifesavers in the car or while traveling, by the way!
Make Time for Meaningful Music Moments at Home
Now that you have your instruments and your music, it’s time to enjoy some musical play at home. For our Kindermusik families, we especially love how instrument play at home can mirror the joyful learning experiences of the weekly Kindermusik class.
Instrument play at home doesn’t require a college music degree, we promise! With a few simple steps, you can create music-filled moments that are both enjoyable and educational. Here are five steps to infuse your child’s musical play with creativity, connection, and learning:
1. Explore
Encourage your child’s curiosity by allowing them to discover the sounds and possibilities of each instrument. Exploration is key to building confidence and fostering a sense of wonder.
- Ask open-ended questions to spark their interest:
- “What sound does this make when you shake it?”
- “What happens if you tap it gently or hit it harder?”
- Let them experiment with different ways to interact with the instrument, like shaking, tapping, rubbing, or even using unconventional tools like a soft brush or a spoon.
2. Label
Using descriptive language during play can enhance your child’s vocabulary and understanding of musical concepts. Label both the sounds they create and the actions they take.
- Sound words:
- High/low
- Loud/soft
- Fast/slow
- Movement words:
- Shake/tap/rub
- Up/down
- In/out
Example: “Wow, you’re making a loud sound when you hit the drum hard! What if we try to make a soft sound?”
3. Scaffold
Scaffolding means building on your child’s existing skills to help them learn something new. Through observation, imitation, and gentle challenges, you can significantly uplevel their musical exploration.
- Observe:
Notice what your child naturally does with the instrument and comment on it.- “I see you’re shaking the egg shaker so fast. That’s amazing!”
- Imitate:
Copy their movements to show that their actions are valued.- “Let me try playing the tambourine the way you’re doing it!”
- Expand:
Add a playful challenge to keep their curiosity growing.- “What happens if we tap the tambourine instead of shaking it?”
- “Can you play along with this fast beat? Let’s try together!”
4. Talk
Setting the stage for play can help focus your child’s attention and give context to the activity. Discussions also nurture their ability to express ideas and feelings.
- Talk about the music you’re playing along to:
- “This song has parts that get faster and slower. Let’s listen for those changes!”
- Help them envision the type of music they might create:
- “Do you want to make happy music or music that sounds like a rainstorm?”
- Use themes to spark creativity, such as a “jungle beat” or a “gentle lullaby.”
5. Play
The most joyful part of music-making is simply playing! Encourage your child to explore freely. The goal is to avoid any pressure of doing it exactly “this way” and instead, to keep the musical play fun and engaging.
- Change positions for variety:
- Play while sitting, standing, or lying on the floor.
- March around the room in a musical parade.
- Add layers of play:
- Create a call-and-response game where one person plays a rhythm and the other mimics it.
- Try a “freeze game” where the music stops and everyone freezes like statues.
- Let your child take the lead:
- “Show me how you like to play this instrument!”
- “What kind of music should we make next?”
Final Notes
Incorporating more music into your day-to-day routine doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few instruments, some creativity, and an open heart, you can do a lot for your child to build a lifelong love for music. Every moment of musical play contributes to your child’s growth and joy and deepens your bond.
Whether it’s a five-minute play-along during breakfast or an afternoon of instrument exploration, there are lots of ways to weave music and instrumental play into daily life. These small, meaningful, musical moments build confidence, spark creativity, enhance cognitive development, and nurture a lifelong love of music in your child.
The simple musical play ideas outlined in this article beautifully complement the enriching experience of attending a weekly Kindermusik class at one of our Greenville area locations.
By combining what you learn and enjoy in class with creative music play at home, you can give your child two of the best gifts of all – the gift of your presence and a lifelong love and appreciation for music.