Family Friendly Music and Musical Instruments Gift Ideas

We’ve been busy getting ready for the holidays, trying to plan ahead with presents and decorations to limit the last minute scrambling that inevitably happens each December. This year instead of our typical Week of Design, we’re talking about holiday gifts, presenting items we love and recommend, as well as items from our wishlists for fun splurge items.

Some music the whole family can enjoy:

Elizabeth Mitchell’s You Are My Little Bird and her new 2010 album, Sunny Day.

Go Itsy by Asheba and Go Baby Go by The Baby Loves Jazz Band (we prefer this cd to their other album, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1-2 though this one is fun too).

It’s A Big World by Renee & Jeremy and Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner (we LOVE her Rocketship Run cd too!).

Beethoven’s Wig 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies (my favorite of their four cd series) and Music Together Family Favorites 2 featuring some of our favorite songs from music class!

For making music together, here are some items that we’re putting in Miss Leyba’s stocking this year:

Castenets (Miss Leyba’s favorite instrument for free musical play in Music Together class) and Trophy 4-Bell Wristlet (we recommend four per child, one wristlet for each arm and leg!).

Kidsplay Maracas (their size makes them easy to hold on to) and Egg Shakers (fun for dancing with too!).

Other great musical instruments for kids that we’ve enjoyed in our music classes and at home include Finger Cymbals, Tone Blocks, Recorders, and Small Woodblocks.

What better way to encourage creativity in your family than a little hootenanny improvisation?!