Toy Piano for a toddler plus

October 9, 2022 7:24 PM

My granddaughter (1.5y) adores buttons and music and the last toy shop visit she was entranced by a plastic toy piano. I am drowning in toy piano choices online, and I want something more than cheap plastic crud, but less than actual-expensive-piano. We are very crowded in space and want to buy a toy piano that is (criteria below fold)

- sturdy enough to survive 1-2 children and pets sleeping on it for 3+ years
- if possible, folds away or goes into a box
- is more than electronic cued songs (although open to those as an optional mode)
- volume control
- is more-or-less in tune
- height adjustable as she is currently knee-high to a grasshopper

She has the Mozart cube and a recorder, but we are holding off on drums and maracas because other people live in this house too.

posted by dorothyisunderwood to Shopping (12 answers total)

Schoenhut toy pianos are mostly in tune (I think the technology inside is like a xylophone / chimes), very durable (a kiddo can stand on it no problem), and a great size for toddlers. No volume control, but since they're a real instrument they're not as annoying as an electronic toy. Look for them secondhand on Marketplace to save some dough (in my neighbourhood there are a bunch of secondhand ones online for $30 instead of the $120 retail price). There's a larger, toddler size "grand piano" version as well.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:28 PM on October 9, 2022 [5 favorites]

Schoenhut, seconded.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:50 PM on October 9, 2022

Nah, look for a 'toy organ'. Had one as a kid in a house with an upright piano. A few buttons to change the sounds, not a full length keyboard, volume knob. Nowadays that's a headphone jack and it runs on a couple batteries (use rechargeable). Kiddie Casio or Korg keyboard.

Don't go all analog "looks like a piano" on this. You can get a 'sounds like piano' keyboard that you can adjust height at whim and turn down the volume or put on headphones that's portable and fits under the bed.

I miss that 70's era kiddie organ more than I ever missed the piano. Things are only better now.

You at least want a kiddie electronic keyboard vs a kiddie 'piano'.
posted by zengargoyle at 2:13 AM on October 10, 2022

Best answer: What's your budget? I generally agree a mechanical/acoustic like the Schoenhuts are better on the eyes and ears of everyone around. I also have a Casio SA-49 that is very rugged. It's fun, though the 'piano' on it sounds like crap. But 'acoustic piano' will sound like crap on anything digital under $500, so it's kind of up to you whether you want bad digital piano sound, nice toy piano sound, or spend more money.

I may pick up a Yamaha PSS-F30 also, it's similar price and ruggedness to the SA-49, but better looking imo and with a some slightly different features that make it a little better for adults.

If you are willing to spend more and teach kids not to abuse it, the Yamaha Reface line of synthesizers sounds very good. They are reasonably tough but you can't eg drop them or step on them.

Basically, nothing exists that is small, ruggedized for toddlers, inexpensive, and sounds great, you have to make trade offs and decide what is most important.
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:22 AM on October 10, 2022

Response by poster: I think I'm getting a Korg Tinypiano if they can get them in stock, and otherwise keeping an eye out for a second-hand Schoenhut. The thrift stores here do have synthesizers but I am absolutely wincing at the thought of the toddler going nuts on the buttons.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:47 AM on October 10, 2022

We have a Yamaha PSS-A50. Our toddler totally goes nuts on the buttons but it’s actually not too bad since the sound quality is good and she typically gets distracted and does something else. At first, she enjoyed standing on it which sounded hilariously awful. It’s really sturdy and we typically just prop it on its side. Honestly, my husband plays it more often than the kiddo. Basically I wouldn’t rule out a synth. The buttons interest a toddler but overall no more so than the keys.
posted by donut_princess at 6:28 AM on October 10, 2022

Experience pure joy and buy a Casio Sk-1 Durable, sampling ability, will grow with the kid.
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:35 AM on October 10, 2022

(I guarantee that many musicians have been as tough as a toddler on these things - they last. Portable, too.)
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:36 AM on October 10, 2022

Best answer: Our house has the Casio sa-46. It is a good choice for toddlers and also me.
posted by Acari at 6:46 AM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

You can get midrange keyboards at a goodwill for cheaper than a toy and if it gets destroyed well it managed to have a second life.
posted by kzin602 at 10:58 AM on October 10, 2022

Best answer: Our toddler also liked the Casio SA-46. It's incredibly durable and takes up nearly no room. Fair warning though, our kid at least found it a lot more fun to mash the buttons that play the pre-programmed songs, than to play the piano keys. I've listened to FAR too much of that Casio synth version of Ode to Joy.
posted by hovey at 12:04 PM on October 10, 2022

Response by poster: Thank you so much! The Casio SA-46 is on its way with an ac/dc plug. I really liked the look of the Korg but paying way more for aesthetics over the sheer joy she will have at so many buttons and being able to stash it on a shelf won out.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 1:35 AM on October 14, 2022