The Best Drum Sets for Kids on Amazon

Whether you’re a drummer or a percussionist, a kids” drum set can help you enhance your musical experiences. It‘s essential that you pick the right set for your little one. As with any instrument, you want to buy from a company that has years of experience in the field. The drums should be loud and responsive, with plenty of head space for young percussionists. Each model is a little different, but if you have any questions, we ve got you covered. This buying guide covers everything you need to know to pick a good kids drum kit, from construction to features and prices.

Tips 

Any young drummer will tell you that practice is the key to staying sharp, and investing in a good kids' drum set will pay dividends. In order to get the most out of your money’s worth, here are a few tips to help you get to the best practice routine. Purchase quality gear. When shopping for a kids‘ drum kit, opt for one that“s going to last. If you”re going on tour, it s vital to have the essentials — an inexpensive drum machine, a quality microphone, some stand pads — so you can practice wherever you are. Purchasing secondhand gear from a charity sale can help as well. Consider a kit with onboard drum sounds. The onboard drums, which are drum patches that come preloaded with sounds, offer a more dynamic and responsive practice experience. Choose a set that can handle different styles. A good set of kids drums is meant to be versatile. For instance, you could add one of the classic double bass sounds from Thin Lizzy to your set, or you might want to explore how a snare can sound on a lead role. Finding the right sound and feel for your kids will help keep them interested in the instrument. Add some variety. While you may be limited to just the 12-bar pattern, there are other ways to add variety to play variations on your classic rhythm. By playing "light" fills, for instance (moving the snarer into and out quickly), you increase the difficulty level of playing the rhythm by half.

Consideration

Finding the right kids’ drum set for your child is a big decision. Before you start shopping, consider these factors to help narrow your options.

Size

The size of your kid”s drum kit will determine how many sticks and shells your little one will need. Most kids don‘t need a full-size drum. However, if your youngster plays regularly in a band or a percussion ensemble, a smaller kit is an excellent option. If your young musician also plays in an adult ensemble or group, you may need to choose between a more traditional-looking kit and one with a contemporary look.

Material

If you“re going to shell out a bit more for a kids' drum setup, it―s a good idea to consider a set made of metal. While metal is less durable than plastic, kids really love it for its striking look and its ability to withstand the test of time. Wood is also an option that can look great, but it may not be as durable as metal or wood. Finally, plastic isn‖t the most durable option, either.

Prices

Kids' drum kits can range in price from $50 to $500 and more, depending on the materials, size, and features.

Inexpensive

You’ll find a variety of kids” drumkits in the $75 to around $100 range. These are usually made from plastic and made to last for several years.

Mid-range

Between $125 and $250, you‘ll encounter heavier, more durable plastic kits. You can find decent wood kids' drums in this price range, too.

Expensive

If you want to be more picky about your kids (or yourself) and spend $300 and above on a kids drum kit, there are drumming accessories galore, including stands, stands for acoustic drums, percussion sets, drumsticks, cymbals, stand-alone microphones, soundboards, acoustic guitars, mics, pendants, drumsacks, digital drum machines, pedalboards and much more.

How We Chose Our Selection of Kids' Drums

The choice of drums for kids is always a tricky one, and we believe that not all kids want the same thing. That’s why we did our research and narrowed it down to the 9 best drum kits for your precious little ones. From unique to somewhat generic to a little on the funky side, our list features a mix of genres and price points. We've also included some of our favorites, so take a look below to see which kids‘drum sets we think will suit all your little musical adventurers.

Features To Look For In Kids Drums

Drum kits are usually sold as individual pieces, which means it‖s easy to get lost among the dozens of drum shells, sticks, shells and skins. The first thing you'll need to consider is the number of kids your purchase will accommodate. It's not uncommon for parents to bring their young nephews along on their drumming adventures, but how many? What size drum set do you want for the youngest of youngsters or do they have a bigger and/or broader range of interests? The last thing a youngster needs is to be confined to their parents‐ backyard drum kit for hours on end. To answer these questions, make sure your kids can easily access all of the shells. Some drummers like to match the different drums to particular playing styles, whereas others prefer to have unique shells for different sounds. There are also different types of sticks and shells to fit different playing needs. If you know your family likes different kinds of sounds, it will be easier for you to select the right kit. Many kids drum sticks are specially designed to enhance their sound and are generally a lot more expensive than their generic counterparts.

Price

You can spend a pretty penny on a kids' drumkit, as it is a quintessential tool that your child will use for years. While some kids might be fussy about their shells (which is understandable), others will happily shell out anywhere between $150 and $1,000 for a quality set. You certainly get what you pay for, though. Keep in mind that for younger children, a basic option will do just fine. Once they start to develop, you may need something more complex. When you get older, consider buying a more pricey kit to accommodate their unique musical interests and progression.

Types of Drum Kits

Basic drums

These are the most common type of kit and the ones most commonly used by kids. Kids can often be a bit too rough around the edges when playing, leading to an unpleasant sound. These kits can be purchased as single drumheads or with as many as 10 drum heads.

About Drum Set

Kids drum kits are designed with specific age ranges in mind. Kits designed for younger children (ages one to three) use bass drums, hi-hat and snare drums with lightweight shells and less-sturdy heads. Electric drum and percussion sets are intended for children ages four to eight. They feature a wide variety of sounds, including cymbals, claps, and percussive sounds. Pedals are generally used on percussion instruments, but they can also be used to play bass drum sounds on an electric drum set. Bass drums are larger than most other percussion devices, which makes it challenging to maneuver them in and around a room. The drums also have a higher sound quality than other types of percussion, making them ideal for performances.