With the holidays around the corner, we’ve reached out to The Rock and Roll Playhouse to curate a list of gifts for the musical children in your family. Amy Striem, an early childhood and elementary school teacher who founded The Rock and Roll Playhouse with Relix publisher Peter Shapiro, shares some of her favorite gifts for this holiday season.

1) Drum Set for Kids

The new series of Family Bowl Trains at Brooklyn Bowl with Questlove is such a hit with our families and this Pocket Kit, developed by Ludwig and Questlove, is just right for your little ones. The Pocket Kit for Kids 

2) Ear Protection For Our Littlest Rock Stars

We often see new parents at RRPH shows at Brooklyn Bowl with babies snuggled in carriers. Afternoon family shows are a great way for parents to see live music without having to worry about getting a babysitter. At RRPH, all of our shows turn the volume down for our kids, but we like this extra protection for our littlest fans.
Banz Infant Earmuffs

3) Finding Their New Favorite Instrument

Melissa and Doug’s Band-in-a-Box is great gift for toddlers starting to explore music. The triangle [in the Clap! Clang! Tap! set] is a big hit in our family and gives the opportunity to teach shapes as the family plays along with our favorite songs. Band-in-a-Box

Books, Books, Books

Before starting The Rock and Roll Playhouse, I spent years teaching elementary school. I always include books in my giftgiving to kids and families. 

4) This series of books by Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley, based on her father’s songs, is one of my absolute favorites. Chronicle Books 

5) Jack White’s recent collaboration with illustrator Elinor Blake has turned The White Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends” into a children’s book. We can’t wait to get our hands on this book and send it to kids and teachers everywhere as a holiday gift. Seeing kids listening to the lyrics of The White Stripes during circle time makes us smile. Third Man Store 

6) Guitars for Children

One of my favorite moments during a RRPH show is when the musicians encourage the kids to take out their “air guitars” and start strumming as the musicians count down and get ready for the ultimate rock-and roll-jump. For our little rock stars: Hape. For our bigger rock stars: Loog Guitars.