(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best musical instruments for kids

Mostly just wanted to say good for you. I don't think you can go too wrong here, especially if this is your first time giving her a dedicated day. I guarantee she will appreciate it, no matter what.

I would second most of what the others have already said: get her some cute and decently made diapers, give her a few bottles (add a little sugar/sweetner to the milk and warm it a little to make it extra wonderful). I'd recommend getting a bottle with an adult sized nipple (it can be a little difficult with the baby ones), too. Prepare her food for her and maybe feed her, depending on how little she is. I actually like baby food, myself - you might make her try some (something fruity - not veggies/meats), but sounds like your wife might be a little older than me, so maybe mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs might be in order. Maybe make her wear a bib, depending on her age.

I think cuddling is one of the most important things - spend lots of time cuddling her and holding her. I also second the kisses on the forehead. Tell her you love her just the way she is, and use whatever little pet names you have for her (or princess or sweet pea if you haven't given her one yet). If you're big enough/she's small enough, maybe carry her some.

Watch some Disney for sure, but also be sure to read her some cute/fun bedtime stories when you put her down. Then put on music box-esque lullaby music softly (search lullabies on YouTube).

I'd caution you on the spanking(s) - some people love that but others don't - you should know or ask your wife about that, don't assume.

Lots of folks like pats on the butt now and again to be reminded of their diapers. You should definitely make a deal about checking her diaper (fingers in the elastic to see if she's wet).

If she doesn't have an adult sized pacifier, get her one (but it sounds like she might). Likewise, she probably has a favorite stuffie, but if not, get her one. I also wouldn't go get furniture to start, but a cute snap-crotch onesie and/or footie pajamas would be great.

I also highly recommend toys. I love my visual rainmaker (https://www.amazon.com/MP400-Visual-Rainmaker/dp/B0018YYPJ4) and my Perplexus Epic. I can really play with those for a good while and feel like a baby, moreso than some baby toys. As others have said, coloring is also always good, as is Play Doh.

Try to enjoy her happiness and enter into the pretend with her as best you can. The straighter you can play it that's she's really little, the better. Whatever you do though, it will be great!

when i was little, these wind up music boxes kept me entertained for hours. i don’t know why, but spinning the little handle was oddly soothing? and the music sounds so pretty. https://kikkerland.com/collections/music-box

or maybe a step and play piano? they look pretty fun and don’t require lots of fine motor coordination. might be a bit annoying for the parents tho lol. https://www.amazon.ca/ALEX-Toys-Gigantic-Step-Piano/dp/B00RHGG3N8

My personal favorite is the kazoobie wazoo kazoo, It's loud, but still sounds nice. Another good choice is the Schylling tin kazoo, which is a nice metal option. If you're going for something loud and annoying, which i assume you are, considering the choice of kazoo, i would say the wazoo is the best choice.

Haha I have ideas but they’re not entirely for newborns:

music activity table

Ikea play tunnel

Matching tent

bouncing horse

Pillow Pets

Here’s some just awful toys my daughter has gotten:

Evil duck

Demonic Sesame Street toy

thanks I hate it talking bear

Pretty much any V Tech toy to be honest.

I’d have a harder time naming toys my daughter actually enjoys to be honest. :|

There's a fretless instrument similar to a theremin called an Otamatone that you'd probably enjoy.

The same company that makes the pBone also makes a [pTrumpet](pBone PTRUMPET1W Jiggs pTrumpet Plastic Trumpet with Gig Bag & 3C & 5C Mouthpieces, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MPRVQPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zxAzybTC8A9ZB) and an instrument called the [pBuzz](http://www.pBuzz.com/ Kid'sMusical Instrument https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H3E0YM4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VwAzybA4K6FAF), which is like a slide vuvuzela. The pBone and pTrumpet sound surprisingly good when played with regular (metal) mouhtpieces!

I had to see a video of this and here’s what I found:

https://youtu.be/qouML9YeQbA

Also, lolz at this review on Amazon:

“When my kiddo opened her gift, she looked confused, then happy, then confused again, which is how I try to parent, so I knew I'd stumbled upon a winner with this otamatone. “

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B003XT7QQG/R379IR47L1R2MN/

There is a zebra keyboard my son adores (he is 20 months). https://www.amazon.com/VTech-80-179100-Zoo-Jamz-Piano/dp/B01COSEDBM/

I put it on my son’s wish list for his bday, and 8 months later it still gets played with every day.

Edit: happy almost birthday!!

Kiwi

Melon

Pineapple

There were also some other fruit designs but they were ~$70, as is the spongebob.

Butterfly

Bonus parrot!

Seriously. Super classy. ;D

I think you might find this could be difficult for some players who don't have a well-developed or trained sense of pitch, so I wouldn't have anything where players had to recognize these sorts of things by EAR.

I'm reminded of the Legend of Zelda games like Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time, where there are music-related puzzles, but they are always combined with a visual or symbolic key to help the players along.

I think it would be great to add a "magic item" to the game in physical form, though... perhaps one of those cheap almost-toy "zithers" that your players would have to actually enact the musical patterns on....

http://www.amazon.com/Hape-Early-Melodies-Happy-Harp/dp/B00IHZYWE0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1450813269&sr=8-4&keywords=zither

I was the one who posted about the Elmo drum set, then my boyfriend pointed out that it had bad reviews ;) We're both drummers and wanted to add some percussion to her musical Christmas wish list. We were hoping to pick this up for her, if it's okay with you/her family. We didn't want to surprise you with the loudest Christmas ever so we were waiting for permission.

If it's okay, please either add it to the list (and this which is also adorable and I think she'd like) or PM the address to send it to.

I'm a big believer in things that last. My daughter, who is now 3.5 loves this sweet set of bells which we got her for her 2nd birthday. The sound is actually not grating, either. http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-Rainbow-Music-Spin-Bells/dp/B009R7N2M0
And this scooter is worth its weight in gold: http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Mini-Kick-Scooter-Blue/dp/B0068ZRYZU/ref=pd_sim_sg_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FQTZ3HMBNP4GVG6QC51
Her kitchen set is a perennial favorite as well.

Congratulations!

Because sometimes we just need a little rainbow zylophone in our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HDATZ

Love this one! https://smile.amazon.com/VTech-KidiBeats-Drum-Frustration-Packaging/dp/B071Y71Y3J/ref=sr_1_5?crid=Y087H4N2FI0B&keywords=drum+set+for+kids&qid=1574784588&sprefix=drum+set%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-5


My daughter has it and loves it.

At that age all he'd be able to do is hold things and bring them to his mouth. Teethers, cloth books, and rattles would be your best bet. If it were me, I would go with one of these animal shakers because they could still be used years down the road. We have one of them and my 2 year old son and 9 month old nephew both love it.

My Mother-in-law bought a Hape Kid's Ukulele for my 3yo son. It sounded OK and was actually what inspired me to get a uke of my own, but after about 6 to 9 months the glue holding the back and sides together started to fail. I replaced it with a KA-S and I'm pretty happy with it. It's noticeably lighter than the Hape but it feels sturdier, probably because it's a "real instrument" as opposed to something marketed to kids. I haven't been able to get my kids' interested in playing it but I leave it sitting out in our living room and I don't have any concerns that it will get damaged.

Of course the keys aren't weighted, but this is the cheapest you'll find that is tolerable. I have one and I think it's pretty good for what it costs. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Piaggero-NP11-Lightweight-Portable/dp/B0053GHJDM

My daughter loved her step piano - I wish we had gotten it younger. Something like this

My daughter loves moana. I got her a moana doll, the necklace she has in the movie and a dress up outfit that moana wears. Also if you want something musical Melissa and doug has a great music set. https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Band-Box-Clang/dp/B00005RF5C

Music is very stimulating for toddlers!

Speaking of books, for Christmas for my honeybee I'm trying to get him a lot of books! That bookshelf sounds wonderful. Do you have any pictures of it?

The underwater theme from Super Mario 64. Try searching for "Waterland theme," or there's a decent Super Mario compilation [published by Alfred] (https://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Super-Mario-Easy-Piano/dp/B006CQFYVG).

https://www.amazon.com/Cube-Otamatone-Maywa-Denki-Instrument/dp/B003XT7QQG

You don't want a bass guitar. I'm thinking you should try something a bit more your speed, maybe this?