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The ten best musical toys

<b>1. John Lewis</b>
This CD player not only enables kids to listen to their favourite music, but to sing along as well. With two detachable microphones included, they can invite friends round for a go too. 4+
<b>Price:</b> £40, johnlewis.com — **1. John Lewis** This CD player not only enables kids to listen to their favourite music, but to sing along as well. With two detachable microphones included, they can invite friends round for a go too. 4+ **Price:** £40, johnlewis.com

<b>2. VTech</b>
The Kidi Pop & Rock is a guitar, piano and drum rolled into one. It features three music styles - rock, jazz and hip hop - along with plenty of rhythms, sound effects and melodies. You can also record and play back your own creations. 3-6
<b>Price: </b>£24, woolworths.co.uk — **2. VTech** The Kidi Pop & Rock is a guitar, piano and drum rolled into one. It features three music styles - rock, jazz and hip hop - along with plenty of rhythms, sound effects and melodies. You can also record and play back your own creations. 3-6 **Price:** £24, woolworths.co.uk

<b>3. Munchkin</b>
The award-winning Mozart Magic Cube teaches how sounds combine to create Mozart's masterpieces. It also enables children to add and subtract instruments at the touch of a button, with the addition of lights flashing to the tempo. 0+
<b>Price:</b> £10.99, argos.co.uk — **3. Munchkin** The award-winning Mozart Magic Cube teaches how sounds combine to create Mozart's masterpieces. It also enables children to add and subtract instruments at the touch of a button, with the addition of lights flashing to the tempo. 0+ **Price:** £10.99, argos.co.uk

<b>4. Leapfrog</b>
The award-winning Learn and Groove Musical Table has more than 40 songs and melodies and 15 musical activities in both English and French. There's also plenty of sparkling lights and things to spin and slide, push and pull and open and close. 6 months +
<b>Price: </b>£34.99, mothercare.com — **4. Leapfrog** The award-winning Learn and Groove Musical Table has more than 40 songs and melodies and 15 musical activities in both English and French. There's also plenty of sparkling lights and things to spin and slide, push and pull and open and close. 6 months + **Price:** £34.99, mothercare.com

<b>5. Easy Karaoke</b>
Here's one for older kids, who will have hours of fun singing along to their favourite tracks with this surprisingly high quality and durable karaoke machine. 8+
<b>Price: </b>£69.99, sainsburys.co.uk — **5. Easy Karaoke** Here's one for older kids, who will have hours of fun singing along to their favourite tracks with this surprisingly high quality and durable karaoke machine. 8+ **Price:** £69.99, sainsburys.co.uk

<b>6. Early Learning Centre</b>
Toys don't come cooler than this. It's a proper drum kit scaled down for children and includes a mounted tom drum, snare drum, cymbal, two drumsticks a pedal and stool. 5+
<b>Price:</b> £60, elc.co.uk — **6. Early Learning Centre** Toys don't come cooler than this. It's a proper drum kit scaled down for children and includes a mounted tom drum, snare drum, cymbal, two drumsticks a pedal and stool. 5+ **Price:** £60, elc.co.uk

<b>7. Janod</b>
Janod's Confetti Piano is beautiful, yet robust enough to withstand the clumsiest of toddlers. A great starting point for future musicians. 2+
<b>Price:</b> £50.35, woodentoystore.co.uk — **7. Janod** Janod's Confetti Piano is beautiful, yet robust enough to withstand the clumsiest of toddlers. A great starting point for future musicians. 2+ **Price:** £50.35, woodentoystore.co.uk

<b>8. Mamas & Papas</b>
This baby elephant isn't going to set the world on fire with innovation, but babies love pressing its tummy to activate a musical melody. There's also a teether to help soothe sore gums, which doubles up as an attachment to buggies. 0+
<b>Price: </b>£7, mamasandpapas.com — **8. Mamas & Papas** This baby elephant isn't going to set the world on fire with innovation, but babies love pressing its tummy to activate a musical melody. There's also a teether to help soothe sore gums, which doubles up as an attachment to buggies. 0+ **Price:** £7, mamasandpapas.com

<b>9. Sevi</b>
They'll be dying to start up their own band with this eight-piece percussion set, including maracas, drum, castanets, triangle and tambourine stick. 2+
<b>Price: </b>£25.95, playmerrily.co.uk — **9. Sevi** They'll be dying to start up their own band with this eight-piece percussion set, including maracas, drum, castanets, triangle and tambourine stick. 2+ **Price:** £25.95, playmerrily.co.uk

<b>10. Fisher Price</b>
Ok, so some parents may groan out loud if you give one of these to their child. But once they see Dance Star Mikey walking, talking and dancing to six different songs (even doing the Moonwalk) even they'll have to crack a smile. 2+
<b>Price: </b>£89, hamleys.com — **10. Fisher Price** Ok, so some parents may groan out loud if you give one of these to their child. But once they see Dance Star Mikey walking, talking and dancing to six different songs (even doing the Moonwalk) even they'll have to crack a smile. 2+ **Price:** £89, hamleys.com

Chosen by Kate Hilpern – 08 September 2011

Giving little ones noise-making toys can be fun and educational (if your eardrums can stand it)

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The ten best musical toys

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