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Searching for the best guitar for kids? Wondering what the best acoustic guitars for children are?
There are a lot of guitars on the market, and if you’re new to musical instruments it can be difficult to determine which ones are perfect for your son or daughter to play.
If your child has shown an interest in playing guitar, this is a great thing! Playing a musical instrument and taking music lessons offers a lot of positive benefits for children and it can help them have a lot of fun.
If you’re wondering where to start when choosing a child’s guitar, look no further. Below we’ll show you our picks of the best acoustic guitars for kids.
Best Kid’s Acoustic Guitars – Quick View
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Martin LX1E Little Martin | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Yamaha APXT2 3/4 Acoustic-Electric Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Luna Aurora Borealis 3/4 Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |
| Gibson Maestro 30" Mini Acoustic Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Giannini CDR-PRO | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Fender MA-1 3/4 Size Guitar | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Electric Guitars For Kids – Quick View
When Can Kids Start Learning the Guitar?
One of the questions that parents ask when buying a guitar for kids is how old their child needs to be before they can start learning.
While there is no clear-cut answer to this question, generally, the best age is around 6 or 7 years old. At this age, a young guitar student can really start to grasp how to play and why they’re doing what they’re doing on the instrument. They’re also more likely to have the focus and the motor skills needed to play the instrument as compared to someone who is younger.
Keep in mind, however, that there is no perfect age to start playing the guitar. There are many different factors that influence whether your child should start learning the instrument or not. If your child shows an interest at an earlier age then it could be a good idea to let them start earlier.
Additionally, the right age may also depend on which guitar teacher you hire and what your expectations are for the lessons. There are definitely skills that younger students, such as a 4 or 5-year-old, can start learning on the guitar, but their progress will usually be much slower overall. However, as long as you keep your expectations in check and know that their learning capabilities will be limited at first, they can start at a younger age.
Keep in mind that the most important thing is that your child is interested in the instrument and enthusiastic. If they have a genuine interest and a desire to play guitar, they’ll have a much easier time learning.
It’s a good idea to support your child in whatever instrument they’re interested in learning. If they show a bigger interest in piano, ukulele, or bass guitar, you may want to consider putting them into lessons for that instrument instead.
What to Look For in an Acoustic or Electric Guitar for Kids
Before we dive into our list of top kid’s guitars below, we’re going to go over a few main features that you need to keep your eyes open for when considering an instrument for your child. Below are the top things you need to think about when choosing a guitar for kids.
Size
One of the main things to consider when choosing a child’s guitar is the size. A full-size guitar can be difficult to play for a child who has smaller hands.
For this reason, many of the best acoustic guitars for kids have small necks, shorter fret lengths, and overall smaller sizes.
Comfort
Comfort is also very important when it comes to playing the guitar.
In addition to making sure the child’s guitar is small, you should also ensure that the guitar you choose has a low action. A guitar with a low action means that the strings are easier to press down. However, just be sure that the action isn’t too low, as this can create buzzing in the strings. To get this right, you may want to take your guitar to a music store after buying it so that they can set it up properly.
Additionally, you should keep in mind that acoustic guitars are a bit harder to play than electrics because the fingers will have to press down harder. If comfort is a big consideration for you, you may want to look at our list of the best electric guitars for kids instead.
Affordability
Affordability is another key issue when it comes to choosing a guitar. Guitars come in at many different price levels. A more expensive guitar for kids will usually be of higher quality, but a cheaper instrument will usually do just fine for learning.
Additionally, there is always the chance that your child loses interest in the guitar. For this reason, you may not want to spend money thousands of dollars on a guitar if it’s your child’s very first instrument, and may want to stay under a couple hundred instead!
Quality
As mentioned above, a higher quality guitar for kids will come at a higher price. However, if you do have high hopes that your child will continue to learn the guitar for years to come you may want to get a higher-quality instrument.
As your child grows in their guitar skills, they may outgrow a low-quality guitar. A higher-quality instrument may be able to last longer and not hold back a student who has shifted from a beginner to an intermediate or advanced player.
Top Acoustic Guitars for Kids
Ready to find a great guitar for your child? Here are our favorites.
1. Martin LX1E Little Martin – Our Top Choice of the Best Guitar For Kids
Pros:
- High-quality construction
- Excellent size
- Good sound and playability
- Built-in Fishman pickup
Cons:
- Steep price tag
Our very top choice on this list comes from one of the most well-regarded guitar manufacturers around Martin. Martin offers the best and most high-quality instruments on the market, and the Martin LX1E Little Martin is no different.
This Martin guitar is a quality instrument that offers an amazing sound and great playability. It doubles as both an excellent travel guitar as well as one of the best guitars for kids and beginners.
Because of its small compact size, kids will easily be able to play this instrument and it offers an amazing feel along the neck and fretboard. This model also comes with a Fishman pickup, perfect for plugging into an amp for more volume.
However, this is one of the most well-built guitars on this list and its quality comes with a price. This is one of the most expensive kid’s guitars on this list. However, it still comes in under $500, which is really a steal if you want an instrument that will last for years to come.
Overall, if you’re looking for one of the best guitars for kids, you can’t do better than the Martin LX1E Little Martin.
2. Yamaha APXT2 BL 3/4 Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Decent price
- ART-Based pickup system
- Great Size
- 3 color/finish options
- Includes gig bag
Cons:
- Not as loud as a standard guitar
The next pick on our list is a Yamaha guitar that, like the Little Martin, is well-geared for both travelers and young players alike. This lightweight 3/4 size guitar will be an excellent fit for children, but will still be an excellent guitar to have as they grow older as well.
The Yamaha APXT2 BL 3/4 Acoustic-Electric Guitar offers a high-quality sound and warm tone in a compact package and is modeled after the very popular standard-size Yamaha model guitar, the Yamaha APX500III. The APXT2 comes in 3 color options including dark red sunburst, old violin sunburst, black, and natural.
It should be noted that this guitar comes with a built-in electric pickup that will allow your child to plug into an acoustic guitar amp for a larger sound or even play on-stage or at an open mic night with ease. The guitar also features a built-in tuner so you can ensure that the guitar strings are tuned properly at all times.
Overall, this is another excellent choice for a kid-sized guitar and comes in a bit cheaper than the Little Martin.
3. Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Guitar
Pros:
- Great price
- Good Size
- Well-Rounded Tone
Cons:
- Average tuning pegs and hardware
Another Yamaha instrument that is 3/4 the size of a standard guitar, the Yamaha JR1 3/4 Size Guitar is another one of our top choices if you’re looking for a guitar for kids.
This instrument offers a great sound and tone that is well-rounded. The tone has punchy middle tones, a bright and full treble, and warm bass.
This guitar is the perfect size for kids and is well suited for small hands and fingers. If your child is learning to play guitar for the first time this is a good option for a beginner’s guitar and will be easy to play.
This Yamaha guitar offers decent craftsmanship at an excellent size and a very reasonable price of under $200.
Overall, this is one of the best guitars for kids for a child’s guitar that plays like a full-fledged quality instrument.
4. Luna Aurora Borealis 3/4 Guitar
Pros:
- Expressive Design
- Quality Sound
- Includes Gig Bag
- Made for Kids
Cons:
- Not as loud as a standard guitar
- Hardware could be better
If you’re looking for a kid’s guitar with more of a unique appearance, the Luna Aurora Borealis Guitar is a great option. This guitar features a small neck that is great for kids to learn on and a nice-looking rosewood fretboard. This Luna guitar is a 3/4 size guitar, but it isn’t a cutaway, and it is overall a very well-built guitar that is perfect for children.
Unlike some of the other guitars on this list, this instrument was made with kids in mind. The guitar comes in different color options including pink, blue, black, and white, each of which have a sparkly finish that your child may love.
The guitar offers a well-balanced sound that is everything you’ll need with a guitar for kids and it also comes with a gig bag, so your child can easily take it to a friend’s house.
Overall, this is a great little guitar that has personality and makes another good option for either your son or daughter.
5. Gibson Maestro 30″ Mini Acoustic Guitar
Pros:
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Great Size
- Color Options
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Not as loud as a standard guitar
Another guitar brand that is well-known for its high-quality construction and well-made instruments, Gibson has cut no corners with this mini acoustic guitar model.
The Gibson Maestro 30″ Mini Acoustic Guitar is the perfect size for kids and is a great guitar for beginners to use when learning. The guitar offers a pretty nice tone and is very playable.
The guitar features basswood back and sides as well as select top spruce and a 21-fret rosewood fingerboard.
Additionally, this guitar offers a few different options when it comes to the look and design. Your child can choose from vintage sunburst, ebony, and natural colors.
Overall, if you’re looking for a great children’s guitar this is another excellent option for you.
6. Giannini CDR-PRO
Pros:
- Good nylon string option
- Easy on fingers
- Good resonance
- Built-in pickup
Cons:
- Hardware could be better
This next kid’s guitar is another option that is excellent for young guitar beginners, and the size will be very comfortable for anyone with smaller hands and fingers.
The guitar has a smooth finish, a well-crafted neck, and a rosewood body that looks really great. The guitar also features a solid red cedar top.
This guitar offers a pretty good and resonant tone, and although the brand is not as well known as some of the others on this list it still delivers a pretty high-quality instrument. This small guitar is suited for nylon strings which will be a little easier on the fingers than some of the other options on this list which feature steel strings.
On the other hand, the hardware on this guitar isn’t the best but despite this, the overall package has turned out pretty great and makes this another excellent option if you’re looking for the best guitar for kids.
7. Fender MA-1 3/4 Size Guitar
Pros:
- Great size
- Good tone
- Quality design
Cons:
- Resonance could be improved
This next guitar comes courtesy of Fender, and as such, is a high-quality instrument that both kids and adults may be interested in.
The guitar features a body and neck that has a satin finish along with quality die-cast chrome tuners. The guitar also features a laminated Agathis top with X-bracing and laminated sides and back.
The Fender MA-1 offers a good, warm tone that doesn’t come across as too “metallic” and has a relatively strong resonance as well, although it could be better. The guitar is a nice size for kids and also offers good playability, perfect for learning on and growing with.
As an extra addition, this Fender kid’s guitar also comes with a gig bag, perfect for taking the guitar on the go.
Overall, if you want an excellent guitar for kids that comes from a well-respected brand, this Fender MA-1 may just be what you’re looking for.
Top Electric Guitars for Kids
Can’t wait to see our list of the best kid’s electric guitars? Here’s our full listing.
1. Mitchell MM100 Mini Double Cutaway Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Great size for small hands
- Sleek appearance
- Quality double cutaway design
Cons:
- Not the highest-quality instrument available
The Mitchell MM100 is our top choice of electric guitar for kids.
The MM100 electric guitar is a great-looking strat body and boasts a sleek appearance. This instrument features a basswood body, a maple neck, and an Indian rosewood fretboard. This guitar also comes in several different colors that kids are sure to love, including glossy black, blood red, and a matte-style walnut stain.
The electric guitar features two humbuckers that are pretty impressive and which give the guitar a hefty distortion. This is a great guitar for playing some rock genre music, especially as a beginner player.
This electric guitar is great for small hands and has a scale length of 22.5″. The fretboard of Mitchell’s small guitar features 24 frets that are roomy and comfortable.
Overall, this is probably the best electric guitar for children that you’ll be able to find. This is worth your very first look if you’re in the market for one of these instruments.
2. Fender Squier Strat Mini Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Great size for kids and teens
- Respected brand
- Well-made
Cons:
- No complaints
The Fender Squier Strat Mini is another good kid-sized guitar. This is a small iteration of the legendary Fender Stratocaster. It’s perfect for younger musicians with smaller hands who aren’t yet ready for a full-size guitar. The Squier Strat Mini is perfect for a range of genres, all the way from rock, to blues, to metal, to jazz.
This instrument boasts a set of 3 single-coil pickups. There’s also a 5-way switch that offers even more tone flexibility and allows players to get their sound just right. This instrument is very durable and well-made.
Overall, this is a great guitar for kids and offers exactly what you would expect from Fender.
3. Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Great size
- Excellent choice for metal
- Impressive appearance
Cons:
- May need some adjustments out of the box
The Ibanez GRGM21BKN Mikro Electric Guitar is another great option if you want your child to start learning the electric guitar. This Ibanez guitar is a pretty great option. While it is a great instrument for just about any genre, metalheads will likely find the most to love in this guitar.
This instrument has a sleek black look and a maple neck. This is a 22-inch scale instrument. Onboard this Ibanez guitar is 2 versatile humbucker pickups that offer a range of crunchy gain tones.
Overall, this Ibanez is pretty impressive and could make a great starter instrument for any child that is out there.
4. Yamaha Gigmaker Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Includes all the necessities
- Great choice for kids and teens
- Impressive appearance
Cons:
- Definitely a starter instrument
The Yamaha Gigmaker is also a pretty nice choice for beginner kids and student players. This Yamaha Gigmaker offers a complete set of bundled items for the aspiring guitar player.
The Yama Gigmaker features 2 single pickups along with 1 humbucker pickup. This guitar offers plenty of control and includes both volume and tone control knobs. There is also a tremolo bridge that works great and offers more variety. The instrument features a maple neck along with a really nice-looking agates body.
Overall, this Yamaha guitar leaves little to be desired and is a great option for kids and teens who want to play the electric guitar.
Choosing the Best Acoustic and Electric Guitars For Children
It’s never too soon to start learning the guitar and any of the instruments above would make great choices to start learning on. If you’re looking to get your child started playing the guitar, you have a lot of excellent choices to consider.
Playing the guitar can truly improve a child’s life and is one of the best hobbies you can help develop in your children. By choosing one of the best guitars for kids above, you’ll give your child the best possible chance at succeeding at guitar and learning to love the instrument.
Looking for the best acoustic guitar accessories to go along with your child’s guitar? Check out our list of must-have acoustic guitar accessories now.
Hi, I’m Harrison! I created this website to help musicians navigate the ins and outs of their craft and to help them choose new instruments and gear to add to their collection. I have 15 years of experience as a guitarist and singer and have also played many other instruments throughout the years including the bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.