5 Noisy Toys to Help Bigger Kids Enjoy Non-Electronic Auditory Play
Looking ahead to auditory play.
As our baby grows into a kid, we want to keep the non-electronic auditory fun going!
For older children, we imagine that means incorporating sound opportunities into their developing interests. Rather than being able to put a purely auditory toy into our child's hands, the way we can with a baby, we expect that we'll need to get creative with adding auditory elements into their choice of activities and toys.
We're excited to see what our team recommends, and what our child naturally prefers.
Here are some toys that have already caught our eye.
#1 - Train Time
Hape Tambourine Track
How cute is this train track? The train activates the tambourines. Cute on its own, plus reviews say it is compatible with other wooden train sets.
$15.00 at faoschwarz.com
#2 - Dressing Up
Musical Jewelry Box
Musical jewelry boxes are a classic, and we've seen pretty ones ranging from about $20 for cardboard, to $65 for wood. Musical jewelry boxes are often a child's introduction to the music from the ballet Swan Lake. Being familiar with a ballet's music is often the easiest inroad into enjoying it in person.
For those not into ballet, we've seen musical jewelry boxes featuring rabbits and rocket ships.
#3 - Getting Around Town
Scooter Bell
Scooters are ubiquitous where we live, but we rarely see a scooter bell! A bell seems like an easy way to emphasize the importance of sound.
$16 at microkickboard.com
#4 - Nature Walks
Bird Calls
We would love to enhance a nature walk with bird calls for local birds! Bird calls are a magical way to practice rhythm and pitch, all while speaking with the animals.
We've seen bird calls range from $10 for a single one, to $100 for a large set.
#5 - Showtime
Tape Recorder
An old school tape recorder is a cute option for kids to play music, and record their own hit singles, podcasts, or e-books, without worrying about parental control settings. And, cue the nostalgia!