Musical

What starts as a rattle can end up changing the whole world. Music begins with a bit of play, and it does not take much to get there. One instrument, a good sound, and permission to bang on something. Our musical toys at The Natural Baby Company are built from wood, metal, and non-toxic finishes by makers who have been putting instruments in little hands for decades. Some of these end up in the toy bin by spring, and some end up with a kid asking for lessons. Either way, it all starts with one small noisemaker.

A red acoustic-electric style guitar with a white pickguard and a light natural wood neck, shown on a clean white background.

Our Musical Collection

Most parents start small. An egg maraca fits right in a baby's fist, and the rainstick or harmonica usually shows up next. Every piece in the Animambo line comes in bright colors and makes its own sound, and the tambourine, maraca, and castanet set gives a toddler three instruments to cycle through. Plan Toys covers the wooden side of the collection, with solid rubberwood instruments and non-toxic finishes built to take a beating from a toddler. The Haba sound eggs pair up by tone, so two kids can turn it into a game. For the child who wants to play on the real thing, Loog Guitars makes three-string guitars that come with a chord book and an app to learn songs on. Djeco music boxes cover the quiet end of the day, when the drumming needs to stop.

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Safe Materials

Every instrument here is finished with non-toxic paints and water-based dyes, and the wooden pieces come from sustainably managed forests. Babies mouth their favorite toy, so we only stock what we would hand over without thinking twice.

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Small Hands First

Grips, weights, and sizes are matched to the age they are made for. A baby toy that a child can actually hold builds fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination instead of frustration.

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Made to Last

Solid wood and metal survive years of enthusiastic drumming in a way that plastic and battery compartments do not. These instruments get passed down to younger siblings still sounding right.

About The Natural Baby Company

The Natural Baby Company is a women-owned boutique in Bozeman, Montana, stocking natural and educational toys for children up to age ten. Every brand gets checked for sustainable sourcing, non-toxic manufacturing, and open-ended play value before it reaches the shelf. Alongside our musical instruments you will find Grimm's and other wooden toys, art supplies, books, and organic apparel.

Child playing with a small toy box on a white background
A toddler sits on a round rug playing with a wooden xylophone toy, with a matching wooden toy rattle nearby on a light wood floor.

What We Offer

Our musical selection covers the first rattle through the first real instrument, with shakers and rainsticks sized for babies, xylophones and drums for toddlers who want volume, and starter guitars for young musicians ready to learn a song. Music boxes make a quieter gift for a nursery, and any of these pairs well with a gift basket or a baby registry addition.

A young girl with an afro hairstyle is smiling and playing a small red toy keyboard with wooden keys on a checkered tablecloth, with potted plants in the background.

Start the Band

Browse the full collection of musical toys, then look through our wooden toys and puzzles and educational picks while you are here. We are happy to help you match an instrument to the child you have in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shakers, rattles, and soft pulls suit babies from around six months, once they can grasp and hold. Xylophones, drums, and tambourines land well with a toddler between one and three years. Starter guitars and pianos are built for ages three and up. Check the age rating on each product page, since it reflects both the size of the piece and how it is meant to be played.

Wooden instruments and metal chimes produce a rounder, quieter sound than electronic toys with speakers and preset sound effects. Music boxes and soothers stay soft enough for a nursery at bedtime. Drums and rhythm boxes are as loud as your child decides they are, which is part of the fun.

Musical play supports cognitive development, fine motor skills, and social skills at once. A young child shaking a maraca practices timing and cause and effect, and two children trading instruments start learning to listen and take turns. Playing together also introduces musical concepts like rhythm and pitch long before formal lessons.

A wooden xylophone or a set of egg shakers works well at one year, since both are simple enough to use right away and hold up to being thrown. For a slightly older child, a tambourine or a small drum tends to become a favorite toy. Parents shopping for a three-year-old often go with a mini guitar instead.