Learning to play a musical instrument is a challenge, although a rewarding one. Children are naturally drawn to simple instruments because it’s easy to play individual notes.
We think the ukulele is a great choice for kids because they can quickly master the art of learning how to strum and produce chords, giving them the incentive to go on and learn the more difficult task of playing an entire song.
As parents, we know that hard work leads to satisfaction. However, it’s sometimes difficult to point our kids in the right direction. A musical instrument is a great vehicle for taking our child on a magical journey. The ukulele is both difficult to master, but easy for learning musical basics.
In this article, we’re going to explore the ukulele in detail and offer our top picks when choosing which brand and model type is best for an individual child.
The best ukulele for kids is one that’s the right size, of good quality, and is capable of producing pleasing tones.
How to choose the best ukulele for kids
This is where we start our journey to find the right ukulele model for our child. It should be simple to tune, be the right size for easy handling and playing, and of sound construction.
Ukulele models vary greatly in size and shape, not all of them being suitable for preteens. If price is a concern, we’ll also cover that in this section.
Sound and tuning
The ukulele is similar to the guitar, but with one major difference. The ukulele has only four strings. Depending on the model and the sound range, these strings are tuned to four keys, the notes varying from one model to another.
There are four types of sound ranges, with each individual ukulele falling into one of these categories; soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
The soprano ukulele is considered the most suitable for children because it’s smaller in size and doesn’t produce as loud or rich a sound as the other types.
Adults are drawn more to the large baritone models because they’re much louder, have tighter strings that are difficult for kids to pluck, and have E-A-D-G tuning, which is more difficult to master.
Product size
We prefer the soprano model as the choice for kids. They’re very lightweight, while the strings are tight and won’t break. The soprano ukulele is, typically, about 21 inches long, so even a six-year-old can hold it easily.
They’re also easy to pack into their case, so small children can carry them around without difficulty.
The concert ukulele is larger, averaging about 25 inches in length. The length from the bridge to the neck is about 16 inches, making it harder for kids to reach the entire length of the string in order to produce higher notes.
Construction
This instrument is usually constructed in much the same way as a guitar. The primary material is wood, although some newer models are made of a composite material similar to youth baseball bats and pleasure boat hulls.
Some models have a curved back, helping to reflect the sound waves back through the interior of the instrument to produce a louder, richer sound.
Toy ukuleles are sold mostly for their appearance. The cheaper ones have bright color finishes, some with images of cartoon characters on the surface. The more advanced models are built with better quality materials and come with a warranty.
Age appropriateness
We’re going to assume that whoever reads this is serious about their child learning to master the ukulele. How young is too young?
Well, it’s kind of like a child learning to swim or asking about where babies come from. If the child asks to play the ukulele, he or she is old enough to start!
As mentioned before, the size of the instrument is important. Because a first-grader’s arms aren’t that long, in this case, a soprano ukulele would be the better choice.
However, keep in mind that all ukulele models are played exactly the same way so, as the child grows, trading in a beginner’s model for a larger one won’t be a problem.
As far as lessons go, there are plenty of online tutorials for helping a child to learn notes, how to hold the instrument, and how to tune it. Younger kids should easily be able to follow these tutorials, even when offered by adults.
Ease of operation
A ukulele is much like a guitar in that it’s easy to get familiar with. Most models have the same basic appearance, meaning that the tuners are spaced about the same, the strings are the same distance apart, and the main instrument body is the same overall shape.
Think of it like this, if a child learns to play the ukulele, he’ll find it just as easy to play the one owned by his neighbor. The only major exception might be the problem of instrument size.
The child moves up to a larger one only when it becomes obvious that the current ukulele is now too small due to the child’s growth and greater arm length.
Price consideration
Simple toy models start at around $15, while more advanced models in the soprano category can still be procured for under $60. This is good to know, as we’d prefer to avoid shelling out hundreds of dollars on a starter instrument.
We find that most parents are delighted with the sound quality and sturdy construction of moderately priced ukuleles. We need to stress that high-priced models generally don’t produce a better quality of sound than less expensive ones.
The higher price is usually associated with the brand, and the most expensive ones are baritone models, which are more suited to adults.
To summarize, choose your model based on:
- Model type (soprano is best for kids)
- Model size (21 inches is best for preteens)
- Construction (finished wood with high-quality strings)
- Age appropriateness (serious students don’t want a toy ukulele)
- Ease of operation (getting familiar with the instrument dimensions)
- Model price (great models start at under $60)
For those who aren’t really sure how a ukulele works and how it’s played, check out this handy learning guide: kidsguitarworld.com
This simple online page will help guide parents on what to look for in a kid’s ukulele. It goes into great detail on sizing, tuning, the different parts of the instrument, and also offers a thorough explanation as to why a ukulele can be a great choice as a kid’s instrument.
Our top picks for the best ukulele for kids
Editors choice
Key Features:
- Soprano tuned
- Compact size with overall length of 21 inches
- Wood construction with gold-plated dolphon machine heads
- Appropriate for younger preteens just learning to play
- Simple learning guide can be downloaded to computer or phone
- Affordably priced at under $40
We think that the Mahalo Ukuleles Rainbow Series (check price on Amazon) is an excellent choice for beginner kids because of the affordable price, attractive design, and soprano tone range. It doesn’t come as a complete kit but does include a tote bag and instructional guidebook.
It’s available in a choice of 10 colors, including soft blue and bright yellow. The strings are sturdy, rather tightly spaced, and easily tuned, thanks to the large tuner buttons. The sound isn’t too loud, and the ukulele is lightweight.
Kids as young as six years can easily carry the case with them wherever they go.
What we love
- Excellent as a starter instrument
- High-quality strings
- Premium paint finish
Watch for
- Few accessories included
Upgrade choice
Key Features:
- Soprano or concert sound range depending on model
- Both 21-inch and 24-inch sizes are available
- Premium wood construction with molded white bindings
- Age-appropriate for kids as young as seven years
- Easy for kids to learn advanced music pieces, handy learning guide
- Price varies according to the distributor, averages $80 for the entire kit
This is an excellent choice when it comes time to upgrade to a more advanced instrument. The Lohanu Bundle Kit (check price on Amazon) is available in both soprano and concert sizes.
This kit includes a top-quality instrument formed from premium Sapele wood, a sturdy tote bag, picks, strap buttons, tuner, and a learning guide that’s used in combination with video lessons.
What we love
- Complete kit with all the accessories
- High-quality tote bag with padded interior
- Unconditional lifetime warranty
Watch for
Best acoustic
Key Features:
- Soprano model with G-C-E-A tuning
- Compact 21-inch length
- High-quality mahogany wood construction
- Appropriate for preteens over seven years of age
- Easy to learn and excellent guide booklet
- Priced at around $60 for the entire kit
The Kala Learn To Play Ukulele (check price on Amazon) is a complete starter kit. Available in soprano size, it includes ukulele, tote bag, tuner app, and booklet. Your child can learn to play a variety of songs in just days by following the booklet guide and lesson plans available on the company website.
What we love
- Lightweight and easy to carry in its tote bag
- Short scale length plus tight string spacing for easy use by smaller hands
- Easy-to-handle open gear tuners
Watch for
Best for toddlers
Key Features:
- Soprano note range on ukulele and multi-octave range on xylophone
- Ukulele is smaller than the standard soprano models
- Made of premium hardwood with bright paint finishes
- Appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers
- No learning guide necessary, just let the child start playing!
- Entire kit is priced around $50
The bundle kit is a great choice for toddlers because of its simple design and construction. The Hape Kid’s Wooden Toy Ukulele (check price on eBay) and tap bench are made of sturdy hardwood, while the bench has a slide-out xylophone.
The ukulele is small, even for a soprano version, but has large tuning buttons and an attractive paint finish. The tap bench has three large buttons to help teach the toddler different musical notes, while the xylophone helps kiddo to develop hand-eye coordination.
What we love
- Smaller size instruments for toddlers
- Ukulele and tap bench easily stored anywhere
- Great for developing a child’s motor skills
Watch for
Best electric
Key Features:
- Concert music tone range
- Concert size, overall length is 25 inches
- Made of premium mahogany and rosewood, brass frets
- Appropriate for older preteens and advanced students
- Intended for kids who already play the ukulele and have mastered the basics
- Price varies according to the distributor, averages $60
This is a concert-size ukulele that’s suitable for older preteens. The Donner Concert Ukulele Kit (check price on Walmart) boasts a mahogany body and rosewood fingerboard. It comes with a full set of accessories, including a digital clip-on tuner, ukulele bag, strap, and four guitar picks.
The high-quality carbon nylon strings can withstand all the pressure a child can apply while plucking. The neck and bridge are extra-sturdy. We think this is an excellent upgrade model because it’s slightly larger than more traditional soprano models.
What we love
- Concert size with wide note range
- Top-quality construction, built to last
- Lots of extras included with the kit
Watch for
And the winner is…
Most of our readers are interested in a starter kit, but we felt we had to include a couple of advanced models in our reviews so that parents could get a feel for what’s available when it comes time to upgrade.
However, since our focus is on learning to play, we choose the Mahalo Ukuleles Rainbow Series (check price on Amazon) as the best ukulele for young children because it’s affordable, attractive in design, and produces crisp notes.
The strings are spaced perfectly for small hands, and the hardwood construction is above average. It’s also lightweight, so can be toted anywhere.
It’s simple to tune, and kids will love how easy it is to master the chords. We think parents’ faces will light up just as much as the child’s once all the basics are understood.
Get ready to enjoy as your child entertains you with the magical sound of a real, honest-to-goodness ukulele!
