Next to the piano, the guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments among children. Many children want to learn how to make sounds and melodies with the guitar and play complete songs.
A children’s guitar can be the perfect introduction for your child to music and playing the guitar. Music educators recommend children’s guitars for ages 4 to 12. However, choosing the right children’s guitar depends less on age and more on the size of the child. The right children’s guitar must be adapted to the height of the child so that he can play the instrument properly. For this purpose, there are different sizes of guitars on the market to suit every child.
Of course, this is not the only criterion to consider when buying a children’s guitar. We have compiled a checklist for you to find out which guitar is the right one for your child. Our product recommendations give you further guidance.
- The size plays an essential role in choosing the appropriate children’s guitar:
- 1/4 children’s guitar: at a height of about 120 cm (circa at the age of 5 to 7 years)
- 1/2 children’s guitar: at a size of 130 cm (approximately at the age of 6 to 9 years)
- 3/4 children’s guitar: at a height of 140 cm (approximately at the age of 8 to 10 years)
- 7/8 children’s guitar: at a height of 150 cm (approximately at the age of 10 to 12 years)
- 4/4 guitar: at a size from 160 cm (circa at the age of 13 years)
- Like the size, the string action is also decisive for whether children’s hands can play a guitar well.
- The strings should be no more than 2 mm from the fret in the first fret so that chords can be fingered well.
- The curvature of the guitar neck also plays a role: a strong curvature makes for too high a string action.
- When buying a guitar, make sure that it is well made.
- It should be of high quality and not pose a risk of injury to your child.
- If the frets are too sharp-edged, you should literally keep your hands off the guitar
- Consider also the varnish of the guitar. A varnish that is cleanly applied and does not have a strong chemical smell indicates good quality
Table of contents
Recommended Children’s Guitars
Based on our checklist, we have made a selection of recommended children’s guitars that meet the above criteria.
Toy Children Guitars for Toddlers
A toy children’s guitar is suitable for a playful introduction to the world of music. With them, even the smallest children can create their first sounds and melodies.
1/4 Child Guitars for 5 to 7 Years Old
For a more serious start, a 1/4 children’s guitar is suitable. It is the right choice for children aged 5 to 7 years. However, the height of the child is clearly more important. A 1/4 children’s guitar is suitable for a height of about 120 cm.
- Children's classical guitar pack is the ideal starter kit - 1/4 size
- Nylon guitar strings that are easy to press down for a child or beginner
- Includes 600D nylon gig bag so you can travel to and from lessons
- Also including essential guitar accessories; guitar strap, guitar plectrum and spare guitar strings
- Including a 2 year warranty for peace of mind
- Includes Guitar Lessons especially for children
- Includes 6 Months FREE guitar tuition from Rock Star Academy
- Everything a Beginner Needs In One Package
- Package Includes, Guitar, Guitar Bag, Electronic Guitar Tuner, 1 year Warranty and 6 Months Guitar Tuition
- Suitable for ages 3+
- R121-1/4 - 1/4 Size Nylon String Classical Guitar - Family Series - w/ Bag - Recommended for Ages 4-7 years
- Spruce Top, Mahogany Back & Sides, Natural Satin Finish
- Mahogany Neck, Satin Finish - Walnut Fretboard & Bridge - Maple Binding & ABS Purfling
- 1/4 Body 438 mm Scale - 75 mm Body Depth - 43.5 mm Nut Width - 18 Frets - Chrome Plated Tuning Machines w/ Pearl Buttons - Fan Bracing - 12-Hole Bridge: Provides a greater break angle for a cleaner, crisper sound & faster string replacement
- Includes Free Deluxe Gig Bag
Tip: You can find many more great 1/4 kids guitars in our guide to 1/4 kids guitars.
1/2 Children’s Guitars for 6 to 9 Years Old
For children with a height of about 130 cm the 1/2 guitar is the right choice. These are usually children between 6 and 9 years. Here you will find a selection of suitable guitars:
- Spruce top color honey, back and sides basswood mahogany colored, black bindings
- Fingerboard maple black, nickel-silver frets, solid, plated machine heads
- Scale 550 mm
- neck width 44 mm
- incl. Gig Bag with rucksack-straps and music sheet/accessories pocket and 2 picks
- Spruce top, Mahogany back & side, gloss finish wine Red
- 1/2 body size, scale 560 mm, (43.50 mm nut)
- 12-Hole Bridge, 2-way truss rod
- Mahogany neck, sonokelin Fretboard and bridge
- Includes free deluxe Gig Bag
Tip: You can find many more great 1/2 children’s guitars in our guide to 1/2 children’s guitars.
3/4 Children Guitars for 8 to 10 Years Old
A 3/4 children’s guitar is suitable for children from 8 to 10 years. It is optimal for a body height of 140 cm. Here you will find a suitable selection:
- Spruce top color honey, back and sides basswood mahogany colored, black bindings
- Fingerboard maple black, nickel-silver frets, solid, plated machine heads
- Scale 580 mm
- neck width 45 mm
- incl. Gig Bag with rucksack-straps and music sheet/accessories pocket, book with many hit-songs and CD, Cliptuner LCD needle-display with background illumination, 2 Picks
- IDEAL BEGINNER PACKAGE - Left Handed Acoustic 3/4 size kids classical guitar, an ideal beginner guitar for kids with free online lessons, designed for kids to get them learning to play and support their guitar lessons.
- RECOMMENDED BY GUITAR TUTORS - This junior classical guitar is recommended by music tutors for 7-11 year olds and is designed to make playing comfortable, easy and enjoyable; classical nylon strings are softer on small fingers and a ¾ scale length and wide fretboard makes it an easy children’s guitar to learn on.
- QUALITY GUITAR - A good quality ¾ classical guitar that promotes good playing habits, encouraging the correct posture and hand placement that's essential to progressing.
- SPECIALLY SELECTED TONAL WOODS - Constructed from spruce and linden, with a mahogany neck and hardwood fingerboard. These tonewoods are environmentally friendly, whilst producing a mellow, balanced and defined sound. It's also resilient and durable, so the guitar can handle journeys to school and lessons.
- INSTRUMENTS THAT DON’T COST THE EARTH – Stretton Payne are a proudly British company making quality musical instruments for over 20 years. We have a strong commitment to producing guitars that have a positive impact on our environment and so in addition to using responsibly sourced woods, Stretton Payne own 50 acres of woodland in the UK, which are protected and managed, with the sole purpose of absorbing more carbon than is produced from the production and transportation of your instrument.
- Designed for younger ages or smaller players
- 7/8 scale
- Spruce top with Meranti Back/Sides
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Hand orientation: Right
- classical guitar with a spruce top, recommended age: from 9 years
- size: 1/4 scale: 590mm, nut width 47mm
- back, sides and neck are made of Gabon wood
- body binding ABS, fingerboard and bridge blackwood.nickel silver frets, chrome-plated machine heads
Tip: You can find many more great 3/4 children’s guitars in our guide to 3/4 children’s guitars.
The Best Sellers of Children Guitars
We have compiled the most popular children’s guitars in a bestseller list for you.
Tip: You will find many more great children’s instruments in our guide to musical instruments for children.
Current Offers of Children Guitars
In this list you will find the best offers on children’s guitars that are currently available:
Tip: You can find many more great guitars in our guide to electric guitars for kids.
FAQ About the Children G uitar
When choosing the right size of a children’s guitar, the height of the child is crucial:
– ¼ children’s guitar: at a height of 120 cm (circa at the age of 5 to 7 years)
– ½ children’s guitar: at a height of 130 cm (circa at the age of 6 to 9 years)
– ¾ children’s guitar: at a height of 140 cm (circa at the age of 8 to 10 years)
– 7/8 children’s guitar: at a height of 150 cm (circa at the age of 11 to 12 years)
– 4/4 guitar: at a height from 160 cm (circa at the age of 13 years)
There are different sizes of children’s guitars to suit the different body sizes of a child. Basically, a children’s guitar is useful for children between the ages of 4 and 10. They vary in size. For example, there are 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 7/8 children’s guitars.
The question cannot be answered in a general way. There is no such thing as the right children’s guitar that is perfect for every child and every purpose. Depending on the size and purpose, a different children’s guitar is the right one. For toddlers, a toy children’s guitar is the right choice. Older children need a better instrument on which they can learn to play properly.
Around the age of 4, you can start thinking about slowly introducing your child to a guitar in a more serious way and getting them interested in the instrument.
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