Music offers several benefits, including emotional and cognitive well-being. Emotionally, it can provide a healthy outlet for your expression and empathy. Cognitively, exposure to music enhances memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain. It can also improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

But more importantly, music can bring people together. Yes, we are talking about outdoor musical instruments. A playground helps children develop social, cognitive, and physical skills. As a school or community, you can make this space more inclusive and engaging by investing in outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds.

Of course, you need to know which outdoor musical instruments are best for your playground.

But first, let’s understand how they can benefit your kids and the local community.

Why Install Outdoor Musical Instruments for Playgrounds?

Accessible outdoor music instruments add a sensory dimension to play. What sets these instruments apart is that they are accessible to people of all abilities. Each instrument has plenty of open space beneath or around it to accommodate mobility devices.

In short, children (and adults) of all abilities can easily approach and participate in musical activities without barriers. However, that’s not the only benefit of investing in outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds.

Here are a few critical benefits you should know about:

Physical Activity and Social Interaction

Outdoor music equipment encourages physical activity. Whether it's hitting drums or playing chimes, these instruments motivate your kids to move. Plus, these musical spaces turn into social hubs, bringing kids of all ages together. In other words, these instruments can help foster social skills among children from a young age.

Multisensory Experience

Outdoor musical instruments also offer a multisensory experience. They often stimulate sight, touch, and hearing. Kids can also explore different textures, shapes, and sounds. Your kids can immerse themselves in a rich and diverse sensory environment. That is especially beneficial for children's cognitive and sensory development.

Fine Motor Skills and Coordination

Playing outdoor musical instruments requires motor skills and coordination. The act of striking, plucking, or tapping on instruments enhances hand-eye coordination and dexterity. So, these can contribute to the physical development of your children.

Community Enhancement

Integrating outdoor musical instruments enhances your community space, park, or school. It turns them into a vibrant and inclusive area. That, in turn, contributes to a sense of belonging, as individuals of all ages can come together to enjoy the harmonious sounds. Nothing can foster a positive community atmosphere like outdoor musical instruments.

Inclusive Play

Whether in your school or park, you can design the outdoor musical instruments to be inclusive. In short, your musical instruments can accommodate children of all abilities. So, all children can enjoy the musical play experience regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. That's bound to bring your local community closer.

Encouraging Outdoor Play

With children ages eight to 10 spending an average of six hours and ages 11 to 14 spending an average of nine hours per day in front of a screen, you need to find ways to encourage outdoor play. Incorporating music into outdoor play can encourage your children to spend more time outdoors. It adds an element of fun to the playground, making it a more attractive and enjoyable space for children.

The bottom line is your community/school should invest in outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds or parks. The question is, which instruments can you go ahead with, and that brings us to the next point.

What Are the Best Outdoor Musical Instruments for Playgrounds?

Choosing suitable outdoor musical instruments for a playground is harder than you think. It requires careful consideration, including inclusivity for children with varying physical abilities. It also goes beyond choosing instruments based only on sound quality or visual appeal.

Instead, focus on creating a diverse and accessible musical environment. In this context, the term "best" means selecting instruments catering to different levels of physical mobility and accessibility.

Let’s explore some of the most accessible outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds.

Tuned Drums

Tuned drums are one of the best outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds. They provide an interactive and rhythmic experience for children of all ages and abilities. Secondly, these drums can produce specific pitches, allowing kids to experiment with different sounds and create simple melodies.

The tactile nature of playing tuned drums can also enhance sensory experiences, but mount these drums at different heights to accommodate individuals in mobility devices. It also ensures easy access for children of varying ages.

Chimes

Chimes are versatile outdoor musical instruments that offer visual and auditory stimulation. They are available in various sizes and materials and produce a range of tones.

Chimes allow your children to explore the correlation between movement and sound. It can help promote sensory integration and motor skills development. At Freenotes Harmony Park, we provide color-coded chimes with large, easy-to-reach mallets to ensure accessibility for children with limited motor control/skills.

Tubular Bells

Tubular bells, or wind chimes, are aesthetically pleasing. They produce resonant tones when touched or gently swayed by the wind. These instruments add a dynamic and soothing element to your outdoor musical instruments.

Tubular bells come in different sizes. You can choose a varied musical range that captivates children's interest and encourages cooperative play. For example, you can choose tubular bells with contrasting colors and textures to enhance the sensory experience for visually impaired children.

Drums

Drums are inclusive outdoor musical instruments specifically designed for individuals in mobility devices. These ground-level drums provide an accessible opportunity for children of all abilities to engage in musical play. Freenotes Harmony offers several different types of inclusive outdoor musical drums, including Calypso, and Bossa Nova.

The drums are arranged in a circular pattern, allowing multiple users to collaborate. This design can foster social interaction and teamwork. But ensure that the surface around drums is wheelchair-friendly. You can also consider adding a bench for kids and adults.

Marimbas

Marimbas offer a broad range of tones. The wide, flat design makes them accessible to individuals with limited mobility. You can play these outdoor musical instruments using your hands or mallets.

Marimbas promote creativity and coordination as children experiment with different notes. However, you should install marimbas at varying heights to accommodate standing and seated players. It will boost inclusivity for children with different physical abilities.

Harps

Harps are a unique addition to your outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds. They offer a melodic and enchanting experience. Outdoor harps can withstand various weather conditions. They are usually made with durable materials such as metal or synthetic strings.

Playing the harp promotes fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can consider installing a variety of harps with different string tensions. It can help you accommodate children with varying levels of strength.

Metallophones

Metallophones are excellent outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds. What sets them apart is their metal keys or bars, which produce a distinctive, bright, and resonant sound. Typically arranged like a piano keyboard, metallophones allow players to create melodic tunes by striking the metal bars with mallets.

The metal bars are often made of aluminum or steel, offering durability and a unique tonal quality. Whether used in musical ensembles or as part of outdoor playgrounds, metallophones contribute a vibrant and engaging sonic experience. Pegasus is one of our most popular metallophones for parks and playgrounds.

Conclusion

Installing accessible outdoor musical instruments in your playground, park, or school enriches the play experience for children of all abilities and ages. Tuned drums, chimes, tubular bells, marimbas, harps, and metallophones are only a few examples of the diverse and inclusive options available. When installing these instruments, consider inclusive design principles. That means all children, regardless of their physical or sensory abilities, can enjoy the musical playground experience.

Do you need outdoor musical instruments for playgrounds? At Freenotes Harmony Park, we provide outdoor musical solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today to know the details!