Kids Guitar: How To Buy A Guitar For Children 

Does your kid want to start learning guitar? Need to find a kids guitar? This guide teaches you how to buy a perfect guitar for children.

When our children are ready to play guitar, we want to help that dream come true. Finding the right kids guitar is an important step. It can make the difference in having a future guitarist in the family or having just one more thing on your kid’s bedroom floor. 

To avoid a wasted investment, involve your child in the process. What type of guitar do they want? Does your kid want to play rock n’ roll, jazz, or pop songs? Is the color important? 

When kids are on board from the beginning, they are often more motivated when it comes time to practice. After you discuss guitar styles and goals with your child, it’s time to shop!

Here are our tips for finding the best kids guitar.

What to consider before buying a kids guitar.

When you shop for the best guitar for kids, the number of options can be overwhelming. The main considerations are going to be the size and type of guitar. However, sometimes the details are also important. 

Here are a few questions that can help to narrow down your choices.

What age is your child?

The average age to start playing guitar is around seven years. Kids’ coordination, finger independence, hand strength, and time management skills are beginning to take shape at this age. 

You want the guitar you choose to fit the age of your child:

• Five-year-olds usually use a ¼ guitar size. These guitars are about 31 inches long. 
• Six and seven-year-olds can comfortably learn on a ½ guitar. These guitars are 34 inches long.
• Eight to twelve, most kids choose a ¾ guitar. These guitars are 36 inches long.
• From 12 years on, they often choose to start playing on a full guitar size. 

Finding the right size for your child can make it easier for a child to reach notes on the frets. Your child can try out different guitars in-store to see which ones have the best feel and sound.

What is your budget?

Budget can also come into play. You can find a good beginner kids guitar for around $50. Or, you can invest in one for $200 or more. You want to choose a guitar that has decent quality and sound. However, a kid’s first guitar does not have to meet concert standards. The instrument should be friendly and comfortable for a child to learn. Some online guitar bundles include picks, tuners, and straps. The sets can provide good value for a guitar beginner.

What are your child’s tastes in music?

What genre of music does your child enjoy? Your child may be dying to play electric or prefer an acoustic sound. Either type of guitar can be beginner-friendly. However, both types use metal strings which can be rough on sensitive fingers. You may want to use finger guards or switch to nylon strings. 

Decide with your child which type of guitar is the best fit and search for a guitar together.

Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar: Which one is better for children?

When you search for the best guitar for your kid, both acoustic and electric guitars have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a side-by-side look at both and see which comes out as the winner.

Acoustic kids guitar

An acoustic guitar is a versatile type of guitar. You can use it to play almost any genre, and it has a rich, bright sound. Some acoustic guitars weigh less than three pounds.

However, the fretboard is usually wider on an acoustic guitar than on an electric guitar. (Although not nearly as wide as a classical guitar.) This can make it difficult for small fingers to navigate the frets. Also, acoustic guitars use steel strings which can be rough on the fingertips.

If your child wants to play acoustic, you can look into a kid-size acoustic guitar. These smaller-scale guitars make guitar playing accessible to kids under 12 years old. They allow your child to learn correct finger positions without overextending small hands. These instruments are also lightweight, making them comfortable for a child to play with.

Electric kids guitar

Electric guitars have a thinner neck than other guitar types. This makes fingering easier for kids’ hands. Also, the body is smaller, which makes the instrument easy to navigate. Since an electric guitar’s sound comes mostly from an amp, it requires less hand strength to play.

The drawback to electric guitars is their weight. Whereas acoustic guitars have hollow bodies, the body of an electric guitar is solid. This means it can be heavier to hold. The average electric guitar weighs eight pounds. So, before you buy an electric guitar, you want to check the weight.

Great examples of kids guitars you can buy.

There are many guitars to choose from on the market. Some guitars are more kid-friendly than others. A children’s guitar should be comfortable for a child to play and have a decent sound. Some guitars even come with helpful gear to help a beginner get started. 

Here are a few acoustic and electric guitars you can order from the comfort of your home. See which one is best for your child.

Acoustic kids guitar

1. RockJam Blue Acoustic Guitar Super Kit 

This full-size RockJam acoustic is a great first guitar for kids or adults. Its dreadnaught body gives it a rich, full sound. Then, the blue high-gloss finish makes it stand out from the competition. 

Also, this acoustic guitar comes with everything a beginner needs. This kit includes a clip-on guitar tuner, an adjustable strap, a foldable guitar stand, and a soft-side guitar bag. You also get an extra set of metal strings, guitar picks, and access to an online learning app, Simply Guitar. This colorful guitar has a solid sound and is perfect for a guitarist of any age.

2. Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale Kids Acoustic Guitar Learn-to-Play Bundle

The 3/4-size acoustic Fender guitar looks great and has the sound to match. Its Sapele wood body gives this kid-size guitar a warm sound. In addition, this bundle includes a clip-on tuner, a Fender guitar strap, picks, and an instructional DVD to get started. The black moonlight finish is sure to attract attention. This Fender guitar is satisfying for young guitarists to play. 

3. Yamaha JR2TBS 3/4 Scale Tobacco Sunburst Guitar 

This acoustic guitar from the JR series is a ¾-scale guitar for young guitarists. The rosewood fingerboard, mahogany back and sides, and tobacco sunburst finish give this a striking look. The construction and quality of the build are everything you expect from the Yamaha brand. This compact guitar has a great sound and is a friendly size for kids to learn. It also includes a guitar bag so kids can take this small guitar on the go. 

Electric kids guitar

4. RockJam Electric Guitar Super kit with 10-watt Amp

The RockJam Electric Guitar has great value for the price. This full-size guitar is made from basswood and comes in a glossy red finish. Its ergonomic shape makes it easy for small hands to hold. The guitar has a pickup selector, tone and volume controls, and a whammy bar. A 10-watt amp provides a good amount of sound for a beginning guitarist. 

This super-kit includes a guitar strap, multicolor picks, and spare strings. You also get exclusive Simply Guitar learning tools to assist beginning players in reaching their musical goals.

5. Donner 30-Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit for Kids

The Donner T-style is a small electric guitar that makes it easy for kids to reach the right notes. It comes in a T-style design and can produce the same amount of sound as many full-size models. However, with its smaller string tension, you may need to tune it a few notes higher than standard tuning to stay in pitch. 

This guitar kit gets guitar picks, a strap, and a gig bag. You can also create distortion or use clean channels with its professional-style amp. This electric guitar can help a child become a rock star. 

Easy guitar songs for kids.

As kids start playing guitar, it is helpful to practice familiar songs. When you play a well-known song, your ear can easily pick up on wrong notes to correct them. Also, choose songs that have just a few simple chords and a simple strum pattern. Some songs only require two chords!

 Once you master one song, you can move on to the next.

Here are four songs that are easy for beginners to play on guitar:

1. Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald uses only three chords. It is a simple melody that kids can easily recognize. You only have to use one strum pattern throughout the entire song. This makes it one of the easiest songs for a kid to learn.

2. Happy Birthday

This simple tune can come in handy when friends or family members turn one year older. As you can imagine, this song has seen a variety of arrangements. Some guitarists strum along using chords, while others play this melody note by note as they sing along. A beginning guitarist can use chord diagrams or practice ear training by picking out the tune by ear.

3. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Adults know this song from pop radio in the 1980s. However, many kids are familiar with this classic song immortalized in the movie Shrek. This song is written in G major and uses only five chords. You only need three fingers to form the notes for this tune. The song may go deep into poetical lyrics. However, the melody is easy for children to belt on the guitar.

4. How Far I’ll Go from Disney’s Moana

This popular Disney song can be easy and satisfying for beginning guitarists to play. You can use as few as four chords for this piece. The song is initially in the key of E. However, you can use your capo to transpose it to an easier key. Practice chord progressions and sing your heart to this catchy kid’s melody.

Older kids might enjoy watching these 7 Hit Guitar Songs for Beginners. 

Find the best guitar, and have fun while you play!

Acoustic and electric guitars each have their strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, which type of guitar is your child passionate about playing? Finding a guitar that aligns with your child’s musical interests can motivate them to overcome obstacles as they learn.

Once your child has a guitar, it is time to start playing! Simply Guitar can walk a beginner through the basics of the guitar. This app is fun and lets you work at your own pace. It can be a great way to encourage a child to learn guitar.

FAQs.