Toys in Motion: Musical Toys

Break down and break dance with this sound sensation. Kids and grownups alike can bust a move on their local sidewalks or living room carpets.

Piano Wizard Premier combines the fun of a video game with the fundamentals of piano lessons. That means children can sit up to a keyboard today and play anything from Bach to Bon Jovi. What once felt like practice now feels like play. Children can choose from four different fantasy worlds to play in. They can change the speed, the instrument sounds, the skill level and more. And in addition to the MIDI songs that come standard with Piano Wizard Premier, thousands more can be downloaded from Internet libraries. The software can be sold with or without the keyboard. According to Allegro Rainbow’s Brian Metcalfe, "The Piano Wizard Method teaches anyone to easily play piano in 4 steps. With Piano Wizard, the child is playing the piano the instant the game is started. They learn intuitively to hit the right note at the right time." Allegro is planning on releasing the highly anticipated Guitar Wizard. Launch date: 2003.

The Boomophone™ XTS Whack Pack contains the C Major Diatonic Scale that won the prestigious Parents’ Choice Best 25 Toys in 25 Years Award, the XyloTote™ Tube Holder, a pair of Boomwhacker Whacker™ Mallets, the Whack-a-Doodle-Doo! Songbook, an Octavator™ Tube Cap and instructions. The Whack Pack has also won numerous awards, including The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval, Parents’ Choice Seal of Approval and the iParenting Media Award.

Little tykes can move to the beat using this music-making kit. Included are a Samba whistle, tambourine, guiro, cast and a CD of Samba music.

Made of high-quality, impact-resistant plastic, this set will last through those early years when motor skills are being developed. These musical instruments come packaged in a sturdy container, with handle, for easy transport and storage. The visually appealing, graphically fun design of the set will entice youngsters to explore the world of rhythm and begin to discover their musical abilities. The First Birthday Rhythm Set includes: Wave Drum, Rattle Roller, Clip-Clap, Handy Bell, Baby Maraca and Animal Castanet.

Eight multi-colored, precision tuned bars give any toddler room to make bright, colorful sounds. This product includes an attractive vinyl bag and child-safe mallet.
— When asked about hot-selling music items in his store, Jude Larene, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, said, "Probably the Hohner toddler [Glockenspiel].”
— Larene said he sells about 10 a month of the Hohner xylophone-like toy.
— Two of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly said Hohner musical toys are customer favorites.

The Woodstock Toy Piano is a real musical instrument suitable for younger players. Made with tuned rods instead of strings, this toy piano is known for its whimsical chiming sound. It is constructed of high quality wood and has a 25-note chromatic scale. There are instructions and a songbook included as well.