Pastel Wooden Music Set - Guitar, Drum & Xylophone

What is in the box: a guitar, a drum and a xylophone

Three instruments, three shapes a child names at first sight. The guitar measures 54 x 16 x 6 cm: long enough to be held across the body like a real one, slim enough for a child of 3 to manage without help. The drum is 18 cm in diameter and 8 cm high, a size that sits on the lap or on the floor between the knees. The xylophone completes the trio with its row of bars.

The whole children's musical instrument set weighs 1.57 kg, so it travels easily to the grandparents' for a weekend. Everything is in wood, finished in soft pastel shades rather than bright primary colours.

Strings, percussion and notes: three ways into music

Each instrument asks for a different gesture and answers with a different kind of sound. On the guitar, a finger plucks or strums a string and feels it vibrate. On the drum, the flat of the hand taps a beat, slow then fast, soft then loud. On the xylophone, each bar has its own note, and moving along the row makes the sound climb or fall.

Children of 3 usually pick a favourite within a minute and ignore the other two for a week. That is fine. Leave all three out and the favourite changes. Around 4, they start combining: a beat on the drum, the same beat on the xylophone, then a song sung over the guitar.

The set comes into its own with two or three children. Picture a rainy Sunday: the eldest on guitar, the middle one on xylophone, the youngest, aged 3 or more, on the drum. Our tip is to make one child the conductor: when their hand goes up, everyone plays; when it comes down, silence. Then swap instruments and conductor. It turns noise into listening, and the turn-taking settles most arguments over who gets the guitar.

A wooden musical instrument set or separate instruments?

A children's musical instrument set makes sense when you do not yet know what your child will take to. As a birthday present at 3, it avoids the gamble of a single instrument, and it is the simplest way to start a music corner from nothing. It also suits families with several children, or a childminder with a small group, because there is something for each pair of hands.

Separate instruments are the better route once a preference is clear. A child who only wants the bars will get more from a wooden xylophone of their own. One who is serious about strings can move on later to our children's toy guitar, an acoustic model for ages 5 and up. The rest of our wooden musical instruments are in the music and rhythm section.

We also stock two other boxes. The Montessori Musical Discovery Box Set with 12 Percussion Instruments holds many more pieces, all percussion: a good choice for a larger group tapping together. The Montessori Musical Awakening Activity Box Set is, as its name says, about first discoveries of sound. This trio is different: three instruments from three families, each with a shape a child links to grown-up music.

Parents who ask us for a Montessori musical instrument set are usually after exactly that: real materials, a sound the child produces alone, and no buttons or recorded tunes. This one fits the brief, alongside our other wooden Montessori toys.

Pastel wood that can stay out in the bedroom

Because the colours are soft, the instruments do not shout from a shelf, and most parents are happy to leave them on display. That matters more than it sounds: an instrument that is visible gets played, one in a cupboard does not. A low shelf or a wide basket works well, with the guitar laid flat or leaned in a corner rather than buried under other toys.

For care, wipe the wood with a soft dry cloth, or a barely damp one for marks, and dry it straight away. Keep the instruments away from radiators and damp rooms. Check cords and small parts from time to time, and put everything away after play if a younger brother or sister under 3 shares the room.

Questions parents ask about this instrument set

What is included in the children's musical instrument set?

A guitar, a drum and a xylophone, all three in pastel-coloured wood.

What age is a wooden musical instrument set suitable for?

The pastel trio is meant for ages 3 and up. Small parts and a long cord make it unsuitable for children under 3 years.

How big is the guitar in the set?

The guitar measures 54 x 16 x 6 cm. For comparison, the drum is 18 cm in diameter and 8 cm high.

Can two or three children play with the set together?

Yes. With three different instruments, each child has their own, and swapping after every song keeps things fair. An adult nearby helps the youngest keep the beat and keeps the volume reasonable.

Is a musical instrument set a good gift for a 3 year old?

Yes, because a child of 3 rarely knows yet which instrument they prefer, and three choices keep the present interesting for longer. Show them from the first day not to play close to anyone's ear.

Specifications

• Contents: 1 guitar, 1 drum, 1 xylophone
• Guitar: 54 x 16 x 6 cm
• Drum: 8 cm high, 18 cm in diameter
• Total weight: 1.57 kg
• Material and finish: wood in pastel shades
• Age: 3+
• Reference: REFL11685

Warning: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Small parts. Choking hazard. Long cord / string. Strangulation hazard. Do not use close to the ear. Misuse may cause damage to hearing.