As any parent or educator can tell you, children are natural percussionists. Just put a pair of sticks or spoons in a child’s hands and watch in amazement as anything within arm’s reach becomes an instrument. A drum set is a great way to captivate your youngster’s blooming musical mind and instill the discipline and dexterity that only come from years spent behind the kit.
Fortunately, with today’s range of affordable and pro-featured kid drum sets built especially for smaller players, it’s easier than ever to find the best drum set for kids.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
Why Invest in a Kid Kit?
Before we break down Sweetwater’s best sellers, here are a few reasons why you might choose a child kit over a traditionally sized kit.
Kid Drum Sets Cost Less
This makes the price of admission far more attractive to parents who don’t want to sink a great deal of money into their child’s first kit. Factor in the fact that many child drum sets include cymbals and hardware — a significant savings — and these specialized kits are both economical and convenient.
Kid Drum Sets Are Sized for Smaller Players
Thrones and stands are made shorter to facilitate proper posture and technique for little arms and legs. Drums are built more compact for easier handling and setup.
Kid Drum Sets Are Quieter
Let’s be honest: the first few months your child spends learning the drums will probably not be your favorite. The payoff comes over time. Smaller drum shells mean higher pitches and less amplitude for less noise to wake you and your neighbors on the weekends.
Kid Drum Sets Are Fun
Even if you’re a longtime drummer, don’t underestimate the fun you and your child or student will have from learning together on their first kit. Even many adult players have turned to smaller kits because of the tones and control they offer.
Note: Drum Sets vs. Shell Packs
Kid acoustic kits at Sweetwater fall into one of two categories: drum sets and shell packs. Drum sets typically include cymbals, stands, and sometimes even sticks and other goodies — real all-in-ones. Shell packs are more advanced offerings and typically require the purchase of additional stands, hardware, and sometimes even a snare drum. We’ve labeled our kits accordingly here. Be sure to check each product page for the full details.
With that, here are some of Sweetwater’s best drum sets for kids to jump-start your child’s musical journey.
Acoustic Drum Sets
Sonor AQX Jungle 4-piece Shell Pack
The Sonor AQX Jungle 4-piece shell pack is an ideal kit for younger players that comes from a company that has been making quality drums since the late 1800s. A lightweight variation on the common club kit, the Sonor AQX Jungle features 100% poplar shells that deliver a snappy, bright response along with plenty of resonant thud. These durable shells also hold their own under vigorous play and handle a wide range of tunings. The Jungle kit features Sonor’s SmartMount tom and cymbal mount that maximizes the resonance of the rack tom without sacrificing flexibility for positioning a crash or ride cymbal. The ultra-affordable Sonor AQX Jungle shell pack is an amazing kit for young drummers.
Pearl Roadshow Jr. 5-piece Complete Drum Set with Cymbals
From the best-selling Roadshow series comes a smaller kit that’s tailor-made for younger drummers and smaller players. This Pearl Roadshow Jr. kit‘s lightweight, 6-ply poplar shells with hand-cut 45-degree bearing edges express a contoured, modern tone that suits just about any style of music. The toms in this set absolutely sing, and the kick and snare are more than capable of filling a room. The Roadshow Jr. comes standard with mini brass cymbals and a full outfit of real-deal Pearl hardware. Stands and sticks are also included.
PDP New Yorker 4-piece Shell Pack
PDP is a sister company to DW, a major producer of boutique kits here in the US. So, it should come as no surprise that the PDP New Yorker 4-piece shell pack is crafted for great tone and childproof durability. This Player is a real gigging-quality instrument with Remo heads and all-poplar hardwood shells that are perfectly sized for your favorite student. Hardware, cymbals and kick pedal are not included.
Yamaha SBP8F3 Stage Custom Bop 3-piece Shell Pack
Inspired by Yamaha’s legendary Recording Custom series, the Yamaha Stage Custom Bebop shell pack features all-birch construction for exceptional tone. Compact and versatile, this kit is ideal for jazz, hip-hop, and lighter studio sessions. Its thin birch shells, classic bop dimensions, low-mass lugs, and sleek lacquer finish allow for rich resonance and warm clarity. At the same time, the birch delivers a crisp attack and a sharp, dry crack that drummers of any style will appreciate. Whether you need a true bop setup or a portable stage solution, the Stage Custom Birch Bebop kit is designed to impress.
TAMA Club-JAM LJK48S Shell Pack with Snare Drum
The 6-ply hybrid poplar shells and the 18-inch kick drum of the TAMA Club-JAM LJK48S kit are big on tone but light on weight. So, whether your budding Buddy Rich is cutting their teeth in a school jazz band or an after-school garage trio, the Club-JAM delivers a nuanced response and more than a dash of mid-century American cool. Classic finish options, antique round badges, and a kick-mounted cymbal boom will speak to the heart of any certified nostalgist. Premium options that further set the Club-JAM apart are a set of natural wood bass hoops and a performance-friendly, optional travel bag set (not included).
Sonor AQ2 Martini 4-piece Shell Pack with Snare
With its 14-inch bass drum, the bite-size Sonor AQ2 Martini shell pack is the smallest option in our kid kit roundup. Yet, it’s arguably packed with the most pro features: crisp, cutting 7-ply maple shells crowned with retro-sparkle finish wraps and Sonor’s TuneSafe tuning system, which prevents heads from going flat during play. It’s a premium kid kit, we’ll admit, but don’t let the price tag fool you: the AQ2 Martini is an instrument your child can easily grow into for jazz performances, intimate gigs out, or just setting up in a practice room.
Electronic Drum Sets
Alesis Nitro Max Mesh Electronic Drum Set
If you’re worried about the volume level of an acoustic drum set, then Sweetwater also offers some excellent electronic kits that, in some ways, are even better for facilitating learning than acoustic drums. This Alesis Nitro Max mesh electronic drum set exemplifies why. In addition to having mesh heads, which keep things quiet, the Nitro Max has an onboard metronome, 60 built-in songs, a holder for a smartphone or tablet, and Bluetooth connectivity. Alesis added a Melodics subscription for drum lessons and 90 free days of Drumeo (one of the world’s leading online platforms for drumming education), as well. The kids won’t get bored anytime soon either, thanks to the Nitro Max’s 440 different sounds and 32 different factory kits — plus, they can even create 16 unique kits of their very own! Finally, when they’re ready to record, the Nitro Max is ready to rock with USB/MIDI connectivity.
Roland V-Drums TD-02K Electronic Drum Set
Another fantastic electronic kit option is the Roland V-Drums TD-02K electronic drum set. It’s the entry point for Roland’s world-renowned V-Drums series, so the build quality, sound quality, and ergonomic design are all top-notch. With only three legs and two wireless pedals for the kick drum and hi-hat, the TD-02K fits easily into the tightest of spaces. Its mounts and cymbal arms are all easily adjustable, so nothing is ever out of reach for your little drummer. The TD-02K’s drum module features 16 stock drum sets plus an onboard metronome with five different rhythm types, 15 different sounds, and several ingenious rhythmic accuracy modes that can benefit beginners and pros alike: Time Check, Quiet Count, Auto Up/Down, and Change-Up. The TD-02K also features a Mix In connection for practicing with wired headphones, and there’s a Bluetooth adapter slot for wireless, too (adapter sold separately). Finally, a USB-B connection means that recording their ideas and performances will be effortless.
Looking for a Kid-friendly Kit? Give Sweetwater a Call!
Few hobbies are as fulfilling as learning a music instrument. If you feel your child or student has the gift of rhythm, then help channel their creative energy into a rewarding life of drumming with these children’s drum sets. If you have any questions about drum sets for kids, then call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.
