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Ear-Friendly Electronic Toys

© Jennifer T. Stack

So often, toys labeled as “musical” are simply electronic noisemakers. Many are even harmful to a child’s sensitive hearing- or your own! Manufacturers often crank up the volume so that their toy can be heard above all the others in a busy toy store. In this battle of the loudest toy, with no regard to pitch or taste, children are the losers. So are all electronic toys part of the problem? Absolutely not. There are many wonderful electronic toys available that appeal to a young child’s music sense. To help you find your way through the cacaphony, I’ve created a list of my top picks in electronic toys. The toys on this list meet three important requirements:

1. Creativity Most electronic “musical” toys play prerecorded songs when a child presses a button. More important is the ability for kids to play individual notes, allowing them to experiment and create their own compositions.

2. Volume Test volume carefully. Be aware that an electronic toy will usually sound louder at home than in a noisy store. Note whether the toy has an off switch, as well as volume control. It’s best to have an independent volume control, rather than one that only functions after a note is played. Some toys are too loud even if they have a volume control function that your child may or may not wish to use.

3. Quality Listen to the sounds the toy produces. Are scales and songs played in tune? If the toy is supposed to be producing specific instrument sounds, like violin or trumpet, does it sound reasonably like it? Are the sounds pleasant? Many toys have harsh, tinny or out of tune sounds.

Other considerations are durability, age appropriateness and battery life. When the battery starts to run down, the nicest-sounding toy can slip out of tune.

Top Picks for Electronic Musical Toys:

Music Blocks: Neurosmith This award-winning toy uses blocks to allow your child to build an amazing variety of compositions. Many cartridges are available to create different groups of sounds or songs. The initial cartridge features Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Each side of the block plays a phrase from the piece with a different instrument family, like strings or woodwinds.

Festival Orchestra Light ‘N Sound: Chicco This very attractive toy features animals playing the instruments of the orchestra. Pressing the animals allows you change the keyboard to play different instrument sounds.

Play by Light Piano: Tomy This keyboard alternative features funny faces on balls that play the eight note scale. Labeling each as do, re, mi, etc.. helps children learn solfege. This highly portable machine also features songs, games and sound effects.