11 Best Drum Sets For Kids

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One day, as we were attending a jazz concert with my son and sister-in-law, I noticed the joy and amazement on my son’s face as he keenly watched the drummer play. I had never seen anything fascinate him that much!

At a Glance: The Best Drum Sets For Kids to Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.

And because his birthday was only a few months away, I knew I needed to surprise him with the best kid-sized drum set available on the market.

Because I was not ready to fall victim to scams and fake online reviews, my search for the best starter drum set for kids began. I spent days researching the best options available.

I was surprised to learn that there are actually many types of drums available. Some are best suited for adults, while others are best for beginners.

Below, I have compiled all the information I gathered, including a kids drum set reviews section, to guide any parent on the best children’s drum kits on the market that will give you the ultimate value for the price.

If you are looking for the best drum kit for kids, this article is a must-read!

My Top Choice: The Best Drum Set For Kids

I was looking for a simple, but real, drum set that was specifically designed for kids. Since my son’s room is a bit small, I also wanted a kit that would not take up too much space.

After checking out various options, I settled for the Mendini by Cecilio 16-inch 3-Piece Kids/Junior Drum Set. I liked the fact that it is designed for kids and doesn’t include too many pieces that would not be very useful to my novice son.

I am happy to report that my son loves it. I think he loves it more than his RC Car which had been his favorite for years! And since it has an adjustable seat, he is still sitting comfortably on it three years later. 

Top 11 Best Drum Sets For Kids

Here are my 11 top choices:

1. Mendini By Cecilio 16-Inch 3-Piece Kids/Junior Drum Set – Best Overall

The first entry on this list is a product by well-known producers in the world of drums, Mendini by Cecilio.

For a kid with no knowledge of drums, buying a drum set with too many pieces would only create clutter for them. Kids new to drumming may view the set as complex and difficult to learn. They may even lose interest almost immediately. 

If you are looking for a beginner drum set for your child who has shown interest in drums, a good idea would be to get a basic drum set that is not too complicated. Thus, this 3-piece junior drum set is a perfect choice for any young, budding drummers.

Kids who are 2.5-ft to 5-ft tall can comfortably sit on the throne, since its height can be adjusted as need be. However, the manufacturer advises that the set is best suited for kids above three years. Younger children should only play the set under adult supervision, since it has small parts that can be hazardous.

Customers of this drum say that it is a wonderful little drum set for their kids. Most of them are also impressed with its quality.

Pros:

• Padded, height-adjustable stool
• Snare is also adjustable
• Includes one pair of wooden drum sticks
• Easy and straightforward instructions make assembling it very easy
• Available in six colors
• Well made
• Can be set for both right- and left-handed drummers

Cons:

• Snare drum could have been better quality

This is an inexpensive set that will help any kid establish whether they are really into playing drums. 

2. Rabing Kids Drum Set – Runner Up

If your child has shown interest in music, you can get them an mp3 player for kids. But, if your kid tends to be more interested in playing musical instruments, get them easy-to-learn instruments such as a drum set for kids.

A great and safe option of a drum set toy for beginner drummers is this Rabing Kids Drum Set. It is made from safe ABS material.

This kid's drum set has flashing lights and interesting sound effects that are guaranteed to keep your child happy and interested. The drum sticks will make your kid feel like a real rock star. Also, this drum is a great and inexpensive tool to nurture your toddler's drumming interests.

Users of this set report that the drums are colorful and pretty. They also say that this set is easy to assemble and is not as loud as other typical drum set toys.

Pros:

• An independent microphone that can be connected to a laptop allows kids to sing along as they bang the drum
• Bright colors and kid-friendly designs
• Volume is adjustable
• Perfect for a child's sensory development

Cons:

• Plastic-like smell when new

Unlike other cheaply-made toy drum sets for kids, this one is well made, lightweight, and functions well. Children love it when they watch the lights on the drum pads shine after every beat!

3.  Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit – Best Value

Music is a source of joy and happiness to many. But, nothing beats the fulfillment of being the 'brain' behind the music.

Let your child experience this joy and fulfillment by getting them one of the best drum sets for kids. For starters, this drum set by renowned drum set makers, Gammon, is a great option.

An advantage of buying this drum set is that your kid can start playing it almost immediately when they get it. It comes complete with stands, all drums, cymbals, stool, drumsticks, pedals, and hardware.

Another noticeable feature is that its manufacturers usually sell replacement parts for this drum set. Thus, you can upgrade any part as your kid’s drumming experience advances. 

Users of this drum set say that this set produces good sound quality that is not too loud like most other kids drum set within the same price range. They also say that the shiny finish on the drums makes it beautiful. 

Pros:

• For kids aged three to ten years
• Decent quality
• Sturdy
• Stool and drums can be adjusted to preferred height

Cons:

• Assembling drum set is a bit time consuming

I would recommend this drum set for any kid who wants a decent, yet affordable, drum to kick start their drumming lessons.

4. WolVol Electric Big Toy Drum Set for Kids – Best Toy Drum Set

The WolVol Electric Big Toy Drum Set for Kids is a drum set that is guaranteed to keep your kid entertained for hours as you concentrate on doing other chores. 

This toy children’s drum kit comes with components similar to those of a real drum. There is a drum, a stool, drum sticks, and even a cymbal.

If you are looking for gifts ideas for your little boy or girl, the WolVol Toy Drum Set for Kids would be a great choice. On top of having its songs, beats, and melodies, your kid can create her own beats.

Users of this toy say it is a very durable drum set for children and does exactly what it is supposed to do.

Pros:

• For kids above three years
• Durable
• Easy to assemble
• Helps kids to fine-tune their music skills
• Boosts the child's memory skills and attention span
• Its bright colors are attractive to kids

Cons:

• The microphone stand is a little flimsy

Overall, this toy drum set is awesome and works just like a real drum set.

5. PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set – Best Electronic Drum Set For Kids (With Earphones)

Looking for a drum set that allows your kid to play drums as hard as they want without disturbing the neighbors?

The PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set has earphone capabilities. No need to worry that the drums may be too loud for the neighbors (or you)!

And because this set is easily portable with rechargeable batteries, your kid can easily carry it on the road or to the beach or park. It is also very easy to store away. 

Customers of this drum set for kids say that they love the fact that their kids can play the drums on a loudspeaker when they are home alone or put on their headphones when people are around.

Pros:

• Battery is rechargeable
• Compact kit
• Up to ten hours of playtime per full charge
• Portable so you can play anywhere, anytime
• Speaker is built in to give top-quality sounds
• The standard midi out jack allows you to connect the drum to a computer

Cons:

• Pads could have been better quality

This would be an excellent gift for any aspiring drummer or for kids who just want to practice or parents who like their peace and quiet.

6.  Directly Cheap Children's Black Junior Drum Set – Best For Kids Training

If you really want your kid to learn how to play the drums, you will need to get them a serious instrument rather than a toy. This is a drum set for juniors that looks like an adult set. It has the features and specifications of a real drum, making it a lower version of adult drums.

The Directly Cheap Children’s Junior Drum Set has been designed for toddlers aged between three and five years. 

Customers of the drum set say they like the fact that it can take the beating from their kids. They add that it is professional looking and of excellent quality.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Easy to assemble
• Great sound
• Fully tunable
• Sturdy construction

Cons:

• Instructions aren’t clear

This Directly Cheap Children’s Junior Drum Set is a great choice for any youngster yearning to play the drums professionally. You will be impressed with the quality of the drums.

7. GP Percussion GP50BL Complete Junior Drum Set – Best Sound

The GP Percussion GP50BL Complete Junior Drum Set is a drum set that will exceed your expectations. It produces a booming sound that will ignite the music passion in your toddler. It comes with five drums that are the perfect choice for young drummers.

Customers of the drum set say it is a great set. They add that It is well-made and even when their kids beat the hell out of it, it still holds up very well.

Pros:

• Easy to assemble
• Amazing sound
• Sturdy

Cons:

• The seat isn’t very well made

When you buy this toddler’s drum set, you will be surprised by the quality. You will love the sturdy constructions that make it look and sound like a more expensive set. It is definitely a good value for money.

8.   Alesis Compact Kit 4 – Best Beginner Drum Set For Kids

Is your child an aspiring drummer who is ready to learn how to play drums? The Alexis Compact Kit 4 or Alexis Compact Kit 7 are great options to consider. They can be used for beginner adults too!

The four-top set is ideal for kids and adults who are looking to learn the basics, while the seven-top set is a perfect set for transitioning from kids beginner drum sets to the more advanced adult sets. Most kids (and parents) also love it for its headphone capabilities.

Users of this set report that this kit is one of the few options available that doesn’t make too much noise to upset their neighbors. They also say that the four-top set for novice drummers.

Pros:

• Can use either AC power or cell batteries
• Ideal for all ages
• Instructions provided are easy to understand

Cons:

• Foot pedals could have been better

This is an all-in-one drum set that is ultra portable and can be played anywhere at any time.

9.   Mendini By Cecilio 16-Inch 5-Piece Complete Kids/Junior Drum Set – Best 5-Piece Drum Set For Kids

Kids' gifts and talents can be noticed from a very young age. When not well nurtured, these talents may never be fully realized.

So, if your kid is an aspiring rock star, consider getting them a starter drum set for kids. A good option to consider is this five-piece junior drum set by Cecilio.

The drum set is small enough for a child who is up to 5-ft tall to play comfortably, while it still has all the components a drum set should have. It's not just a toy!

Customers who have bought this set say that it is a nice junior set complete with everything required in a drum set. The only downside reported was that it comes disassembled, and the instructions provided are brief.

Pros:

• Six color options
• One-year warranty
• Round, padded, height-adjustable stool
• Fairly durable hardware

Cons:

• Toms are not adjustable
• Cymbal is a little cheap

This set is a perfect Christmas gift for any young beginner.

10.  Mendini By Cecilio 13-Inch 3-Piece Kids/Junior Drum Set – Best For Kids Aged 3-6 Years

The next entry is yet another product by Cecilio. Unlike the previous Mendini models discussed above, this one is smaller and will require less space.

Instead of buying a drum set toy for your young one who is passionate about drums, you can get them this drum set. Of course, it is not anywhere close to a professional drum set, but it is a cute, little starter set for any kid. Children as young as two years can also play it.

Customers of this drum set say that it is a cute set that is quite steady, and their young drummers love it.

Pros:

• Four color options
• One-year warranty
• Sturdy seat
• Made with quality wood and metal

Cons:

• Kick pedal's quality could have been better

If you are looking for a small-sized starter drum for your budding drummer, this is a set worth considering.

11. Music Alley Kids 3-Piece Beginners Drum Kit – Most Durable Drum Set

If you have an aspiring rock star in your home, you need to get them the Music Alley Kids 3-Piece Beginners Drum Kit. This is a high-quality and affordable drum set that is suitable for children aged between three and seven years.

The drum set comes with a real wooden shell in a metallic finish. The bass drum is the largest in the collection and has a low tone that is a good choice for playing with the foot pedal. This provides the perfect drumming experience for your young one. The drum set has everything your kid needs to get started.

Customers of this toddler drum set say it is a great option for the price. They add that it is a great gift item for toddlers who love banging on things.

Pros:

• Lightweight drumsticks
• Crash cymbal offers a different sound
• Cushioned chair, extra comfort
• Real wood for an authentic drumming experience
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• Cases of the cymbal falling off have been reported

This is a miniature drum set rather than a toy. It produces good sound and is very solidly made. It is definitely worth the money.

Basics Of Drums: What Is A 5-Piece Drum Kit?

A drum kit is named depending on the number of pieces it has. To determine the number of pieces a set has, you need to sum up all the drums in that kit. Note that cymbals and other hardware do not count toward this number.

You can also determine the number of pieces a drum has by counting the number of toms and adding one snare and one bass drum.

If a drum has 100 cymbals, three toms, a bass drum, a snare, and one hi-hat, it is still referred to as a five-piece drum set. You will only add up the number of toms, bass drum, and snare. A five-piece drum set is the most common type. Other small toy drum sets for kids are mostly three-piece sets, while more advanced options are seven-piece kits.

Parts Of A 5-piece Drum Set

Let’s take as look at the parts of the most common configuration of a drum set: a five-piece drum kit.

1. Kick drum/bass drum

This is usually the largest drum and will be often referred to as the “kick”. It is usually played using a foot pedal that is attached to the rim of the drum. Generally, bass drums are either 20in or 22in wide.

You may find a hole in the front head of the bass drum. This hole is used to alter the tone of the drum. Some drummers may request to have the resonant head completely removed to also change the tone of the drum. Others use a pillow or some clothing to minimize the volume of the drum.

A bass drum also includes spurs (feet of the drum placed on the resonant head). The feet are placed in such a way that there is minimal (or no) movement when playing the drum. 

Other players prefer a set with two or more kick drums.These double-bass drum sets allow drummers to use both feet to play at a faster pace. At times, instead of including two bass drums on the same set, a set can have two foot pedals attached to one kick drum.

Here, the drummer can use both feet to kick one bass drum. This style is common in pop and jazz music genres.

2. Stool/Throne

This is the stool that the drummer sits on while playing the drums. It is usually a three-legged, round stool that has a padded top. Most of these stools are adjustable and allow you to set your preferred height.

The best height is the one that allows you to sit comfortably with your feet on the ground.

3. Hi-Hats Cymbals

Hi-hats cymbals refer to two cymbals that are combined with a foot pedal and then mounted on a metal stand. The two cymbals are usually similar in size and weight and are mounted in such a way that they are facing each other.

The cymbal on the bottom is usually fixed, while the top one is mounted on a rod. Once the foot pedal is pressed, the top cymbal is moved toward the bottom cymbal. This position is referred to as closed hi-hats.

Hi-hats produce dynamic sounds and are a favorite among many drummers. Players are often seen hitting the top cymbal while gently pressing the foot pedal for cymbals to remain half-open to produce a swishing sound.

Other common tonal options are where cymbals are hit when they are fully open or fully closed. Experts drummers often create new, unique variations by playing with cymbals to produce distinct sounds. 

 4. Snare

This is a very crucial drum on any drum set. It is available in many sizes with the most common size being 14in wide and 6in deep.

The snare drum usually has a metal (or wooden) shell and is closed on both sides. That is, it has both a resonant and batter head. The snare drum always has a stand to hold it in place.

Wires are suspended under the resonant head of the snare to give a unique buzz sound.

5. The Tom Toms

These are often referred to as “toms” and come in various sizes. Some common sizes include 10in, 12in, and 14in.

Toms can have both the resonant and batter head. But they will still function well without the resonant head.

As seen earlier, a five-piece drum set has three tom-toms which are: the floor (or lower) tom, the mid tom, and the high tom. 

The floor tom often has a three-legged stand, or it can be attached to the cymbal stand. The other two, mid and high toms, are often attached to tom arms that are, in turn, attached to the kick drum.

6. The Ride Cymbal

This is a fairly large cymbal found on the right-hand side of a drum set. In a typical drum, it is usually about 20in wide.

It is usually played using the tip of the drumstick. The sound produced can be varied by hitting different parts of this cymbal. Drummers are advised against crashing a ride cymbal since it may damage it.

7. The Crash Cymbal

These are smaller compared to ride cymbals (16in). In most cases, drummers love to hit them hard at the end of a fill.

The good news is that they are designed to withstand damage from being hit hard but can also be used for the same purpose as a ride cymbal. Rock players particularly love to use them as ride cymbals.

One drum set can have more than one crash cymbal that are different sizes. The larger cymbals produce louder sounds while smaller cymbals are quieter. 

8. Splash Cymbal

This is a small-sized crash cymbal. Its size can differ from one drum set to the other but is mostly 8in wide.

9. Crash/Ride Cymbal

This is an affordable alternative offered to drummers who prefer not to have separate crash and ride cymbals.

10. China Cymbal

This is yet another type of cymbal that drummers use to add more sound variation to their set. It is mostly attached upside down and usually produces a unique crash sound. 

Choosing The Best Drum Set For Kids

The benefits of music and those of musical instruments skills in child development are undebatable. They not only increase the brainpower of your kids but also enrich their lives. Thus, do not take chances when buying a drum set or any other musical instrument for kids.

Below are crucial factors you need to look at before settling for a drum set for kids.

1. Purpose

Has your kid just shown interest in drumming, or are they already familiar with this skill? If a child has just started showing interest, a good idea would be to get them a budget-friendly basic beginner set and see if their interest will continue to grow.

For kids who are already into drumming, you can get them a more durable and advanced set that they can grow into.

2. Setup

The ideal beginner set should be easy to set up and assemble. A good choice should be either be a three-piece or five-piece drum set. A set with more pieces is best suited for kids whose knowledge is a little more advanced.

3. Drum Set Size

The best children’s drum kit should be made in such a way that any kid can easily access the drums, pedals, and cymbals. A typical drum set for kids has a recommended height of up to five feet. Drum kits with height-adjustable thrones are highly recommended.

4. Drum Heads

The quality of the sound of a drum is greatly dependent on the quality of its drum heads. Thus, the ideal starter drum set is one with well-made drum heads.

5. Cymbals

Cymbals have a huge effect on the overall performance of a drum set. Drum sets with all three cymbals—the hi-hat, ride and crash cymbals—offer a better learning experience as compared to those without. On the bright side, cymbals can be bought separately and attached to your child's drum set later.

In Conclusion

Remember that the purpose of buying a drum set is the most important aspect to consider when looking for a kid's set. Also, do not forget to look at the drum set size and how easy it is to set it up.

The Mendini by Cecilio 16-Inch 3-Piece Kids/Junior Drum Set is a set that is easy to set up and can be used by kids of a wide range of ages.

I hope this guide has answered all the questions you had regarding the best drum sets for kids!