It’s that time of year again! The holidays are approaching, and parents are asking, “What can I get to help my child with their music lessons?”
At Brooklyn Music Factory, we know that the key to a happy music student is consistent practice. But let’s be honest—getting a child to practice can sometimes feel like a chore. That is why this year’s gift guide focuses on “Practice Games” & Gear.
We want to help you turn the practice bench into a play zone. Here are our top recommendations for gifts that make practice fun:
1. The “Practice Game” Essential: Multi-Sided Dice
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The Idea: Gamify the repetition.
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How to use it: Instead of saying, “Play this song three times,” roll the dice! If they roll a 4, they play the phrase 4 times. If they roll a 6, they play it 6 times. It puts the control in the child’s hands and turns a command into a game of chance.
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Bonus: Get cool, oversized foam dice or Dungeons & Dragons style polyhedral dice to make it even more exciting.
2. Reward Tokens & Sticker Charts
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The Idea: Visual progress tracking.
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How to use it: In our studio, students earn “tokens” for completing levels in our games (like Groove Puzzler or Note Name Shark). You can replicate this at home!
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The Gift: Buy a special “Music Ledger” or chart and a pack of high-value stickers (gold stars, musical notes, or their favorite characters). Every time they finish a “Big Beat Sheet” or write a new song, they get a sticker. 5 stickers = a real-world treat (like an extra hour of screen time or a trip to the ice cream shop).
3. A Cool Instrument Stand
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The Idea: Remove the friction.
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Why it works: If a guitar is in a case under the bed, it never gets played. If it’s on a cool stand right in the living room, your child will pick it up during commercials or while waiting for dinner.
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The Gift: Look for a “Hercules” stand or a wall mount that displays their instrument like a piece of art.
4. Recording Gear (For the budding Songwriter)
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The Idea: Capture their creations.
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The Gift: A simple USB microphone (like a Blue Snowball) that plugs into an iPad or laptop.
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Why it works: BMF students love songwriting. Giving them a way to record their voice and instrument makes them feel like a pro. It encourages them to polish their songs because they want the recording to sound good!
The Goal: The best gift you can give a music student is motivation. By choosing gear that turns practice into a game or makes their instrument more accessible, you aren’t just buying a “thing”—you are investing in their love for music.
Happy Holidays and Happy Practicing!
