Montessori Handleless Bells - Set of 8

Eight colours, one bell or the whole set

These are musical bells without a handle, each about 8 x 9 cm, in eight colours: blue, dark blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red and yellow. You can buy them in three ways, all listed in the options:

• A single bell in a named colour, handy for replacing one or for adding to a music basket little by little.
• Random: a single bell in a colour we pick for you.
• Set of 8 Bells + Sheet Music: all eight colours together, with sheet music so there is something to play from the first day.

The sheet music comes with the set of 8 only. If you order bells one at a time, you receive the bell on its own.

Musical instruments for 3 year olds: age and safe use

The bells are suitable from 3 years and not before, because they contain small parts. At three, a child is ready for an instrument that gives a clear result for a simple action, and a bell is about as direct as it gets: nothing to tune, nothing to blow into.

One rule to teach on day one: a bell is never rung next to an ear, their own or anybody else's. Show your child to keep it at arm's length, and store the bells out of reach of younger brothers and sisters between sessions.

Rhythm, listening and coordination

Ringing in time with a song is harder than it looks at three. The child has to hear the beat, wait for it, and move at the right moment, which is rhythm, listening and coordination working together. Start with a nursery rhyme everyone knows and ask for one ring at the end of each line, then one on every beat.

An echo game works well too. You ring a short pattern, two rings then a pause, and the child copies it. Swap roles after a few turns; three-year-olds love being the one who sets the puzzle.

Our advice with the full set: do not put all eight out at once. Eight bells in front of a small child produce noise, not music. Offer two colours for the first week, add a third when the games above feel easy, and keep the rest in the box as something to look forward to.

At home, in class or in a music group

Handleless bells suit one child playing alone as well as a whole group, and the colours make sharing simple: one colour per child. Each player knows which bell is theirs, and you can lead by naming colours, "red, then yellow, then everyone together", without any musical vocabulary.

In a nursery or a classroom, that turns into a listening exercise for a circle of eight: eyes closed, one child rings, and the others guess which colour it was by where the sound came from. At home with two children, give them four bells each and let them answer one another across the room.

Among Montessori musical instruments, bells earn their place because the child gets a result without help and can repeat it as often as they like. If you are putting together a wider selection, our kids musical instruments include drums, maracas, castanets and a xylophone that mix well with a few bells.

With or without a handle

The shop also stocks the Montessori 8-Note Handbell Set, where each bell has a handle and the set is sold complete. The bells on this page have no handle and can be bought one colour at a time, which suits a family that wants to start small or a teacher who needs to replace a missing bell. Like all our wooden Montessori toys and instruments, they carry a 2-year guarantee.

Handleless bells: questions before you order

Can I buy a single bell or only the set of 8?

Both. Choose a colour (or Random) for a single bell, or the option "Set of 8 Bells + Sheet Music" for all eight.

Which option includes the sheet music?

Only "Set of 8 Bells + Sheet Music". Single bells are sent without it.

What age are these bells suitable for?

From 3 years. They contain small parts and must not be used close to the ear.

How big is each bell?

About 8 x 9 cm.

Specifications

• Musical bells without a handle
• Bell size: 8 x 9 cm
• Colours: blue, dark blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow
• Options: single bell in a chosen colour, Random, or Set of 8 Bells + Sheet Music
• Age: 3+
• 2-year guarantee

Warning: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Warning: Small parts. Choking hazard. Do not use close to the ear. Misuse may cause hearing damage. Please retain this information.