Reviewing The Best Ukuleles For Kids

Kids grow up listening to different types of melodies - from squishy toys and rhymes to cartoons and poems! Music is one of the easiest ways to engage kids so why not let them have a hand at strumming a tune themselves? Read the guide below to know why a ukulele is a perfect choice for your child!

What Is A Ukulele?

A ukulele is a small, wooden, four-stringed musical instrument resembling a classical guitar. At first glance, a ukulele may seem like a toy guitar with its small size (it is half the height of a full-size guitar!), lightweight build, and nylon strings. However, it has four strings rather than six and uses a different tuning to a guitar.

A ukulele, pronounced 'ju-ke-lei-li', is the perfect choice to start kids off on learning music as their little hands can easily handle the size and weight of the instrument - it can also handle light hits if your kid gets a little too excited! The best part about a ukulele's four strings is that several chords can be played with one finger only.

Also known as uke, the biggest advantage of strumming on the instrument is its strings are made of nylon which presses on the soft pads of your child's fingers softly and does not hurt. They also are less tense allowing children to work on them easily.

The musical instrument is one of the easiest instruments to master - even as kids! The quick progression helps kids build their self-esteem, channel their creative energies, and experience art in its best form.

Things To Consider When Buying A Ukulele For Kids

Purchasing your child's first uke can feel like a grab-and-go deal but there are a few things you need to keep in mind so your child can experience the world of music in the best way possible.

Size Of The Uke

There are various types/sizes of ukuleles available for young learners and we have briefed each of them below to help you make a purchase suited to your child's needs.

Soprano

The smallest of the bunch - a Soprano ukulele measures around 51 centimeters only and its toy size and light weight make it perfect for little children to handle.

Concert

Only a few inches bigger than a Soprano, a Concert ukulele has a longer neck for improved fretwork and a tighter strings' span for increased volume. Though it is heavier than a Soprano, children over 7 can easily play the Concert uke because of the larger frets

Tenor

As your kid reaches teen age and starts to strum a uke professionally, consider purchasing a Tenor uke. Nearly identical to a classical guitar, a Tenor measures around 66 centimeters, has excellent playability, and sounds better.

Baritone

Measuring around 76 centimeters, Baritone ukes are quite large and difficult to handle even by professional musicians so it is best to skip over getting a Baritone for kids or even teenagers.

Intonation

One of the most essential elements of a stringed instrument is its ability to be tuned and offer quality sound, also known as intonation of the instrument. The main factor in producing good quality is the space between the body and the strings of a uke, also known as an action. 

Quality of intonation is decreased by 'low action' while playability is reduced due to 'high action'. Proper tuning and high levels of precise intonation are offered by good quality ukulele models which is why it is always better to choose a basic uke model even for kids since toy-like ukuleles cannot be tuned.

Build Of The Uke

Choosing the right build material of your child's uke can help them play the instrument better and strum to songs they like effortlessly. Some of the commonly used materials are:

Spruce

Ukuleles made of spruce are bright toned, cost-effective and offer a decent solution for beginners to start their musical journeys.

Mahogany

Ukuleles made of mahogany project decent treble sounds, improved tone and have an excellent finish on the surface.

Koa

One of the best materials for ukuleles, Koa offers perfect playability and an effortless rhythm - though it is on the high-end spectrum.

How Much Do Beginner Ukuleles Usually Cost?

Ukuleles come in a wide variety of price ranges starting from $19 up to $400. Most beginner ukuleles, you'll find, are very cost-friendly but besides their creative construction, there is not much it would provide in terms of quality, durability and tonality. 

It is always worth the extra penny to get a better quality beginner ukulele that offers strong fretwork, durable strings, and an improved tone. You can find these in a price range of $35 to $55.