Egg shakers are the single best first instrument for babies and toddlers. They are durable, safe, cheap, and pedagogically perfect — small enough for tiny hands, clear enough in sound for rhythm work, simple enough that no instruction is needed. Used in every Music Together and Kindermusik class for a reason. Here are six picks worth buying and what to avoid.
What Makes a Good Egg Shaker
- •Solid construction with no detachable parts (choking hazard at this age)
- •Smooth, easy-grip surface
- •Audible but not too loud — softer sand-fill beats harder bead-fill for indoor use
- •Pack of 6+ — one egg becomes lost or chewed within a week
- •Color variety — different colors lets you teach simple sorting alongside music
- •BPA-free plastic or wood — both are fine
The Picks
1. Latin Percussion LP001 Rainbow Egg Shakers (6-pack)
Industry-standard plastic egg shakers used in music classes everywhere. Six rainbow colors. About $12 for the 6-pack. The default choice — durable, properly weighted, audible without being loud.
2. Stagg EGG Shakers
Slightly chunkier than the LP version. Same color rainbow pack. Marginally easier for younger toddlers to hold. About $10 for 6.
3. Bear & Bird Wooden Egg Shakers
Natural wood with non-toxic finish. Warmer tone than plastic. Pricier but more elegant. About $18 for 6.
4. Remo Lollipop Egg Shaker
Egg on a stick — easier for the youngest grippers (6-12 months) than freestanding eggs. Sold individually. About $8 each.
5. Hape Mighty Echo Microphone (with egg-shaker insert)
Microphone-shaped shaker. Different format, same function. Better for kids 2-4 who like role-play. About $15.
6. Generic Music Classroom Bulk Packs
For preschools and daycares, 24-egg bulk packs run about $25-30. Quality is comparable to the LP and Stagg picks. Skip if you only need 6.
What to Skip
- •Electronic light-up shakers — replace the child's natural rhythm with a programmed pattern
- •Plastic eggs that aren't shakers (the kind you split open) — wrong tool, choking hazard
- •Maracas with detachable handles or beads — small parts under 3
- •Hollow plastic eggs filled with rice the parent assembled — risk of opening, plus inconsistent sound
How to Use Them
- •Sing-and-shake along — start with songs the child already knows
- •Steady-beat games — march to the beat, slow it down, speed it up
- •Stop-and-go — shake when music plays, freeze when it stops
- •Pass-the-egg circle games — turn-taking with rhythm
- •Sort by color, then play — color naming embedded in music