Toddler Hand Drum Play Session

A hand drum, overturned plastic bucket, or sturdy cardboard box

Place a hand drum, overturned plastic bucket, or sturdy cardboard box between you and your toddler on the floor.

Tap the drum with your open palms three times: tap, tap, tap. Then look at your toddler expectantly, as if to say "your turn!"

Encourage your toddler to tap the drum. Celebrate any tapping they do — "You made music!"

Take turns: you tap three times, then gesture for your toddler to tap three times. This is turn-taking at its most natural.

Try fast tapping and slow tapping, narrating the difference: "Fast fast fast! Now sloooow."

Sing a familiar song and both tap along to the rhythm together.

Let your toddler freestyle while you clap along to whatever rhythm they create. Follow their lead.

An overturned five-gallon bucket actually makes a surprisingly good drum. Deep, resonant, and satisfying to hit.

If your toddler uses their whole hand in a slapping motion, that's perfect. Over time, they'll develop more control and use fingertips too.

The turn-taking element is key here. Music is one of the first contexts where toddlers willingly wait for their turn because they want to hear what comes next.

Tap rhythms from familiar songs and see if your toddler recognizes them. Even without words, they may perk up at "Twinkle Twinkle" tapped out on a drum.

Pair two different drums for different pitches. One high, one low. Alternating between them introduces melody without any singing.