The 5 Best Electric Guitars For Kids

It's no secret that learning how to play a musical instrument can be one of the most enriching experiences a child can have. Music is a great hobby that can enhance kids' creativity, improve their hand-eye coordination, and even introduce them to math and science concepts. And when it comes to choosing a specific instrument to learn, you can't go wrong with an electric guitar. They're one of the most convenient -- not to mention popular -- musical devices around, since they require little maintenance, additional parts or technology, and can be painlessly carried whenever you go. Electric guitars for kids check all these boxes, too, but come in even smaller, more compact sizes, making them easier for little fingers and arms to manipulate. Our list includes half-size and 3/4-size models appropriate for a range of ages.

1. Fender Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat

The Real Deal

By one of the most recognizable names in the business, the Fender Squier Mini Strat offers full-size guitar quality in a pint-size package.

Best Overall

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Just because you’re shopping for a kids’ guitar doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice stadium-quality sound, as the Fender Squier Mini Strat demonstrates. Made by one of the most recognizable names in the stringed instrument business, the 3/4 model offers the same high-end feel and playability as its standard-size cousins, but does so in a package compact enough for young players to easily handle. Included with the guitar itself is a bundle of everything else you need to get rocking, including picks, replacement strings, a tuner, and even an amp.

Pros:

Ideal for kids aged 6 to 12
Single-coil pickups and 20-fret fingerboard
Also includes instructional DVD

Cons:

A little expensive
Amp is underpowered

2. Ibanez 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitar

Professional-Grade Sound

The Ibanez Mikro Electric Guitar is every bit as high-quality as the brand's full-size GRG model, only smaller.

Best Runner-Up

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Most kids’ guitars can feel more like toys than actual instruments — which is understandable, since few kids actually need performance-quality sound or hardware while they learning the ropes. The Ibanez Mikro Electric Guitar, however, isn’t one of these — it’s the real deal. The 3/4 model features the same premium craftsmanship and components as Ibanez’s full-size GRX and GRG guitars, and as such is used as commonly by professional musicians as by budding learners. For kids who are serious about learning how to play the electric guitar, then, this is the best — and really only — choice.

Pros:

22-inch scale length
Comes in several different colors
Left-handed model available

Cons:

No starter kit
A little pricey

3. Dimple Kids Handheld Musical Electronic Toy Guitar

Start Them Young

While not a real instrument, the Dimple Kids Musical Toy Guitar is a good way to introduce especially young ones to music.

Best Toy Guitar

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It’s really never too early to introduce kids to musical apprenticeship, which is why this Dimple Kids Musical Toy Guitar is a good choice for parents looking to expose their toddlers to the sights and sounds of guitar at a young age. It’s not a real instrument, per se, but it will help especially young ones get familiarized with the shape and sounds of a guitar, all while helping to bolster their auditory and tactile learning abilities. It’s certified safe for kids ages three and up, and features over 20 interactive buttons to keep its player occupied for hours on end.

Pros:

Runs on AA batteries
Large colorful buttons
Backed by 1-year warranty

Cons:

Not for older kids
No strings

4.PylePro Full Size Electric Guitar Package

The Real Deal

For beginners who are ready for the full electric experience, the PylePro Electric Guitar Package is an ideal choice.

Best Full-Size

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Just because you’re shopping for a guitar for your kid doesn’t mean it has to be a miniaturized version of the instrument. Some kids may be old enough to jam on a full-sized model, while others may simply want to challenge themselves on a normal fret board and strings. That’s why we’ve included this PylePro Full Size Electric Guitar Package. It’s one of the best full-size beginner’s guitars available, offering the complete electric experience in an affordable, entry-level package. It also includes most everything you need to get started down the road of rock stardom, including a case, amp, and replacement strings.

Pros:

Real wood construction
22-fret fingerboard
Good value for price

Cons:

Not for younger kids
Can be difficult to tune

5. Best Choice Products 30in Kids Electric Guitar

Cheap But Functional

The Best Choice Products Kids Electric Guitar represents a great way to expose your child to music without making a big investment.

Best On A Budget

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You don’t have to spend a ton of money in order to introduce your child to the rocking sounds of electric guitar, as the Best Choice Products Kids Electric Guitar makes clear. The 30-inch model is designed specifically for budding instrumentalists, incorporating features like accurate fret spacing aend low string action, so they can get a feel for playing the real thing without straining or struggling. And it’s also supremely affordable, so even if your child ultimately decides the guitar isn’t for them, it’ll be no sweat off your back.

Pros:

Includes starter bundle
5 different color options
Also comes with 5w amp

Cons:

Requires frequent tuning
Craftsmanship could be better

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should kids learn to play guitar?

Learning to play an instrument is a worthwhile pursuit for people of any age, but it’s especially beneficial for young ones. Studies show that playing an instrument can improve kids’ mental health, strengthen their motor skills, enhance their creative capacity, and even improve their self-esteem. In particular, guitar is a good choice for this — its large combination of chords and progressions help encourage memory retention and other forms of learning. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also one of the most popular instruments, and a highly low-maintenance one to boot.

Which electric guitar is right for my child?

Electric guitars come in all shapes and sizes, and which one is right for your child will depend on both their skill level and age. Some electric guitars come in pint-size packages appropriate for toddlers and especially young kids, though in terms of functionality they can generally feel more like toys than real instruments. For children between the ages of three or four and six or seven, a 30-inch, half-size guitar will fit them well, and many also include nylon strings that are easier on new fingers than metal ones. Older kids may opt for a 3/4-size or even a full-size beginner’s guitar, which materially and functionally will offer all the qualities of the real thing.