Kalimba for kids: which one, from what age, and first songs

A kalimba is a good first instrument for many children: every note is already in tune, nothing sounds harsh, and a child can play a recognisable song on the first day. For young children an 8-key mini kalimba is enough to start, while from around primary school age a 17-key kalimba gives them room to grow.

Below you read how to choose, how to make the start easy and which songs to try first.

There is no strict age. What matters is that your child can press a tine down with a thumb and let it go, and has the patience for a few minutes of focus.

As a rough guide:

• Toddlers and preschoolers: they mostly explore sound. A small kalimba to pluck at is fun, but expect play rather than songs. Stay close by, as with any small object with metal parts.
• Around 5 to 7 years: many children can play simple songs, especially with numbers or colours on the tines. An 8-key kalimba or a 17-key one with stickers both work.
• From around 7 or 8 years: most children can follow tabs and enjoy the bigger range of 17 keys.

Every child is different. A kalimba is quiet enough that you can just let them try.

An 8-key mini kalimba has one octave, C to C. It is small and fits in little hands. Simple songs like Twinkle Twinkle fit. Its limit is range: many songs need a note above or below that octave. See the small kalimbas, such as the Pocket Mini Kalimba.

A 17-key kalimba spans C4 to E6. It is a bit bigger, but most children from primary school age handle it fine. It fits almost every song they will want to learn.

Our advice: for a young child who is curious, start with 8 keys. For a child who wants to play real songs, or for anyone aged around 7 or older, pick 17 keys straight away. They will not outgrow it. For a more detailed comparison, read 8-key vs 17-key kalimba.

Children learn faster when they can see which tine is which. Note stickers for 17 keys go on the body under the tines, so the number or note is visible right where the thumb goes. Combined with number tabs, a child can match "5" on paper to "5" on the instrument without help.

Once the layout is in their head, the stickers can come off, or simply stay on.

A kalimba is sturdy, but the tines can bend if the instrument is dropped on them or crushed in a bag.

• Use a case. A hard case is the simplest way to protect it in a school bag or on holiday.
• Teach "thumb down, let go". Children sometimes pull tines upwards or sideways. Show them that a tine is pushed down and released.
• No chewing, no throwing. Obvious, but worth saying for small children.
• A tine out of tune is not broken. Tines can shift a little. With the included tuning hammer you can put it right in a minute. See How to tune a kalimba.

Acrylic models are less sensitive to humidity, and wooden models feel warm and natural. Both are fine for children.

These songs fit both an 8-key and a 17-key kalimba, as long as you start the melody on the lowest C (1):

• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: 1 1 5 5 6 6 5, 4 4 3 3 2 2 1
• Mary Had a Little Lamb: 3 2 1 2 3 3 3, 2 2 2, 3 5 5
• Ode to Joy: 3 3 4 5 5 4 3 2, 1 1 2 3 3 2 2
• Frère Jacques (first half): 1 2 3 1, 1 2 3 1, 3 4 5, 3 4 5
• Hot Cross Buns: 3 2 1, 3 2 1, 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2, 3 2 1

Start with Twinkle Twinkle. You can play along with it in the song library, where your child can see and hear each note.

• Keep sessions short. Five to ten minutes is plenty for young children.
• Play together. You learn it as quickly as they do. Take turns playing a line.
• Let them play freely too. Because all notes fit together, improvising always sounds good, and it builds confidence.
• Celebrate the first song. Recording a little video for grandparents is a great motivator.

For a young child, have a look at the small kalimbas. For a child who wants to keep going, the Kalimba Starter Set has a 17-key kalimba, note stickers, a hard case and a tuning hammer in one box. Shipping within the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and France is free from €50.