Kids Ukulele are the perfect topic because not only are they small and they only have four strings, but they are much easier to play than a guitar.
They are also much cheaper, they come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns, and you can get a high quality instrument for a relatively small amount of money.
I would skip over toy ukuleles and go right to the real instruments, since they aren’t much more expensive than toy models, and many models are built for children so they can take a little bit of a beating.
There are four different types of ukuleles: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. For young kids, you should look for a soprano ukulele.
They are the smallest and most common style that is sold. It would be fine for a teen to get a soprano uke, but if they want something a little bigger, they could also look at concert ukuleles.
There are a lot of different ukulele brands to choose from, so here is the list of the best models for kids and teens.
In a rush? These are the top 3 picks
Types of Kids Ukulele
As with guitars, ukuleles come in different sizes. There are generally four common sizes:
- Soprano
- Concert
- Tenor
- Baritone
The soprano ukulele is the typical beginner instrument when learning the ukulele. It’s the smallest version of the ukulele and it’s the one people normally refer to when they talk or hear about ukuleles.
Immediate and advanced players often choose a concert or tenor ukulele since these are louder in their sound.
A baritone ukulele is the biggest model which also has a different tuning (E-A-D-G). It’s the tuning of the first four strings of a guitar. The baritone is rather an instrument for players having already a soprano or concert ukulele.
Buying Guide on Picking The Best Kid’s Ukulele
Trying to buy the perfect ukulele for your child can be very tricky at times. There are so many different styles and brands to look at, that you can become overwhelmed very quickly.
To allow you to make the best decision, follow the below complete buying guide to ensure you make the best decision for your child.
Shape
There are three main shape variations to choose from when selecting a ukulele.
Guitar: It is the most popular and most traditional ukulele shape. It is very similar to a guitar’s shape, and has the famed ‘dip’, known as a waist, in the middle of the body.
Pineapple: Originally produced in Hawaii, this shape was first adopted by the Kamaka Ukulele Company, and is now used all over the world. The design is made so the body of the ukulele is completely rounded and has no waist.
Boat Paddle: As the name suggests, this ukulele design resembles a boat paddle, and is the most uncommon ukulele shape.
The most recommended shape for children and beginners is the Guitar design. This enables your child to naturally hold the ukulele comfortably.
Material
The material which your ukulele was constructed will determine its quality. Plastic ukuleles are relatively uncommon, but produce bright sound and are easy to care for.
This is great for beginners, but it’s worth noting that these ukuleles are more brittle than wooden ukuleles, so they will need extra care when being played and transported.
Wood is the traditional material used for ukuleles, and the recommended material to look for is mahogany or spruce wood.
These are high quality woods that create durable ukuleles that will last as your child uses it. These types of ukuleles produce a traditional sound, and are very resistant to the knocks experienced from everyday use.
Price
It is important to do a very good research about the ukulele you intend to buy, because you will probably enjoy it for many years after you have purchased it.
If you are serious about wanting to play the ukulele, it is advisable that you skip the cheaper starter sets (going for $20-$40), but begin with a decent $50-$100 ukulele.
It will make your life a lot easier (regarding tuning, intonation, etc…) and you will enjoy and pick it up a lot more
Difficulty
The ukulele is easy to learn and is a lot simpler than other instruments. Because of its small size, children can focus on learning how to play, rather than struggling with holding techniques. Another way you can make playing simpler for your child is by investing in a ukulele that is specifically designed for beginners.
This means the ukulele may have an extended fingerboard, giving your child more space to place to their fingers when playing chords.
The fingerboard can also be marked with fret locations using white stickers or markers. Not all ukuleles will have these markings, so it’s always advised that you check before purchasing.
Why a Ukulele is a good Choice for Kids
As already mentioned the small size of the ukulele is perfect for little hands. Kids can strum along to easy songs. The ukulele is in my opinion one of the easiest and best instruments to start with.
I don’t want to say it’s easy to master but the progress can be made quicker on a ukulele as a child than on other instruments. Since they use only 4 strings several chords only need one finger to play them. You must however remember that the ukulele does also require practice, and I would strongly advise thinking about lessons.
The vast majority of ukulele strings are made of nylon strings which is another great advantage for beginners and especially for children. Nylon strings hurt much less the fingertips of a beginner. With a little practice and time this slight discomfort will quickly disappear.
Many people are already able to play a song after practicing a day with their new small instrument. The strings of a ukulele are also under much less tension than on the guitar which makes it much easier for beginners to push them down.
A ukulele is a very light instrument and therefore even suitable for the youngest. You can also carry it with you anywhere since it fits easily in most of the backpacks.
They also come in a great range of bright, child friendly colors or featuring famous cartoon characters. Last but not least, a good ukulele is also quite cheaper than a good guitar and it’s a perfect introduction before the guitar.
In that way your child learns already the basics of a stringed instrument and once he is ready to move on with the guitar he will progress much quicker.
Kala KA-155 Mahogany Soprano Ukulele Package
This is one of the best musical instruments you can get with your money. It is an amazing instrument that can be played in the classrooms, neighborhood as well as iconic music venues. The Kala Ukulele gives the essential things you need to start playing the instrument.
It is carefully designed to give kids and adults a frustration free learning experience. This fantastic musical instrument comes with a myriad of fascinating features.
Apart from that, Ukulele is famous for its outstanding quality. The instrument features excellent craftsmanship, quality tones and attractive finish.
While this instrument is very affordable, it is endowed with features that make it easy to learn and play. It is an instrument that enhances the growth of your kids as a musician.
The instrument is very easy to use and comes with pre-strung and premium aquila nylgut strings.
You can also learn the instrument via the Kala application that is downloadable to your iOS and android devices. The App includes simple lessons that are easy to follow, tuner as well as play along songs.
Black ADM Learners Ukulele 21 Inch Soprano Children Pack
Are you on the lookout for an easy-to-play Ukulele for your kids? The ADM Beginner is a great choice for you. It is constructed with excellent material that makes the instrument rank high among others. Its fingerboard is made of basswood, so is the bridge which provides a smooth touch as well as strong construction.
The product also features nylon strings, basswood tops as well as linden side and back. The ADM beginner gives a unique sound whether you are jamming with friends, playing along with songs or giving a solo presentation.
The ADM beginner Ukulele comes with a water-resistant nylon Bag that enhances the portability of the instrument. In addition, it comes with a clipboard tuner that is equipped with a digital LED screen which makes the tuning of the instrument easy.
You can also play the instrument while standing thanks to the hook-in strap. The instrument also comes with added strings and a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth keeps the musical instrument clean always while the added string provides you with more choice.
This Fantastic musical instrument can be played by everyone. It is an ideal musical instrument for kids, adults, beginners as well as professionals.
Mahalo Ukulele MR1PP Rainbow Series Soprano Ukulele
The Mahalo Ukulele is one of the best-selling ukuleles available. This product comes with a 45 minutes lesson that is taught by experts and downloadable as well.
The lesson covers all the major aspects of Ukulele starting from tuning, correct playing skills, vocabulary of music, chord voicing and many more. The product comes with NuBone XB Bridge saddles for great tones, Aquila New Nylgut strings as well as dolphin shaped gear tuners.
The Mahalo ukulele is a musical instrument for everyone no matter the personality. It comes with beautiful and attractive color that makes it presentable everywhere you go.
The product is available in ten vibrant finishes. The Musical instrument comes with a carrying bag for easy transportation and storage. It is a musical instrument of great value.
Mahalo Rainbow Series Soprano Ukulele Starter Pack
The Mahalo Rainbow soprano Ukulele is an excellent musical instrument packed full of features that will make your kids become a professional ukulele player in no distant time. It comes with some eye-catching features that qualify it as one of the best kids’ ukulele in the market.
It comes with Dolphin shaped geared tuner, excellent design and uncommon shape and many other notable functionalities. The effective gear tuner keeps the instrument in tune always.
This great musical instrument is fitted with Aquila strings manufactured in Italy and a NuBone Bridge saddle made in Canada. The instrument is hand painted and it is a perfect sound with increased projection. Another unique feature of this product is the availability of downloadable lessons.
The product comes with a 45 minutes lesson that covers every aspect of ukulele starting from proper tuning, playing methods, vocabulary of music, chord voice and many other things that will enhance your learning of the instrument.
You also have the opportunity of accessing video lessons when you get this product. The Mahalo Rainbow Series Soprano ukulele Starter pack comprises a Pin and a password card that will allow you access video lessons. To get this lesson, all you need to do is to download the lesson from Mahalo website and access it by providing your PIN.
Luna Mahogany Series Tattoo Concert Ukulele
This stunning mahogany design is purpose built with children in mind, but is ideal for players of all ages and experience levels. The 23-Inch body is slightly larger than the other Soprano-style builds on my list, so your child will grow into it.
One of the heaviest ukuleles in this list, the neck, back and sides of this ukulele are made using high-quality mahogany, making it incredibly durable, and the top is made using solid spruce. This helps to create a high-quality instrument that is built to last; maximizing its resistance against the inevitable knocks it will receive from day to day use.
Diamond Head DU-110 Rainbow Soprano Ukulele-Pink
This is a beautiful ukulele for kids that gives children a unique musical experience. It comes with an attractive diamond head that will always attract your kids. This musical instrument comes in bright rainbow color that is pleasing to the eyes. Apart from the attractive color, it is very easy to learn because it is very easy to learn because it comes with a three-chord chart.
The instrument is built to last, it is endowed with a string maple body and neck with its high gloss finish that is clear thus giving the instrument a long-lasting durability. This Ukulele for kids is also equipped with a gear tuner that is typical of what you will find on guitar.
This gear tuner is put in place to ensure that your instrument stays right in tune. When you order for this excellent ukulele for kids, you will also get a color matching gig bag that makes you carry the instrument about easily and for proper storage.
When you buy this instrument for your kids on your next visit to the market, they will enjoy the myriads of fantastic features this product has in stock.
Conclusion
Finding the right ukulele for your child depends on what style of play your child prefers. By focusing on an all-rounded ukulele that ticks all the boxes, you are allowing your child to have the best foundations on which to learn, boosting their enjoyment and confidence in a skill they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.
