If you’ve got a little one wanting to make an entrance into the wonderful world of music-making, then investing in one of the best guitars for kids might be just the encouragement they need. Learning an instrument is great for kids, as it helps them acquire all manner of skills from improved memory and problem-solving to fine motor skills, teamwork, and self-expression.
Having started learning guitar at the age of 7, I’ve had a skill that turned into a passion and has accompanied me for the last few decades. It’s given me opportunities, allowed me to meet people I never would have otherwise, and helped me through plenty of tough times. With that in mind, I’m an avid encourager when it comes to little ones who show an interest in learning guitar.
Of course, when looking for the best guitars for kids, there are all sorts of things to consider, with so many different brands, types, and models out there. If you’re considering an acoustic guitar, look no further than the Taylor GS-Mini. It’s compact, delivers incredible tone, and is genuinely a guitar they'll play for life. Alternatively, if your little rocker wants to make some noise, the Epiphone Power Players SG brings plenty of attitude, thanks to its pair of punchy humbucker pickups.
If it’s your first time buying a guitar for your child and you’re unsure about anything, don’t worry. I’ve cultivated 20 years of playing experience into this guide in order to ensure you’re armed with all the knowledge you need. Check out my how to choose section for buying advice, my comprehensive FAQs for any burning questions, plus a glossary of key terms to help you decode any guitar-specific lingo.
My top picks
The Taylor GS Mini is fairly close to being a 3/4 guitar, but it retains the same string spacing as a full-size guitar. This means that for kids just starting out, chord stretches and scales are made easier, as the frets are all slightly closer together.
This concert-sized offering from Fender makes for a perfect starter guitar for kids. The concert body shape is slightly more compact than many other acoustic guitars, allowing smaller arms and hands to reach around to the strings and frets.
Some kids just starting out might find steel strings a little too tough. That’s where nylon-strung guitars can be really helpful. The strings feel much softer underneath their fingers, so they’re less likely to be put off playing altogether whilst they’re building up the calluses on their fingers.
Built especially with younger players in mind, the Epiphone Power Players SG is built extremely well, and features a pair of really punchy sounding humbuckers. This makes it one of the best guitars for kids who want to explore the world of rock, blues or metal.
Squier makes some really good guitars and basses, using their sister company Fender as a basis for most models. This Sonic Mustang has been stripped down and simplified somewhat, making it one of the best guitars for kids.
This is perfect for younger children who are showing an interest in guitar. Ukulele can be a good place to start, but the Fender x Loog Telecaster is a much exciting way to entice them into playing the instrument.
Best acoustic
📏 The Taylor GS Mini is ideal for kids aged 5 years plus, thanks to its small and comfortable 23.5” scale length.
✅ Buy if you’re after a guitar for life: If you’re confident they’ll stick with it, the GS Mini will be with them for life; a testament to its quality and fantastic tone.
❌ Avoid if you’re worried about their commitment: This premium option is overkill if your child is just testing the water.
Overview: The GS Mini is one of the most popular smaller-sized guitars there is, and for good reason. It sounds fantastic, offering superb projection and dynamics. Although this may be overkill for some kids, if you’re looking to treat the young guitarist in your life, there aren’t many better options.
Build quality: Spec-wise, a solid sitka spruce top is paired with layered sapele back and sides, plus you’ll find high-quality ebony on the fingerboard – just like Taylor uses on its top-of-the-range guitars. Should you want a variation in tone or perhaps a pickup, then there are multiple versions of this guitar available.
Playability: The Taylor GS Mini is fairly close to being a 3/4 guitar, but it retains the same string spacing as a full-size guitar. This means that for kids just starting out, chord stretches and scales are made easier, as the frets are all slightly closer together, but as they grow, they shouldn’t find that their fingers are cramped, thanks to the 1-11/16” nut width.
Sounds: Notes ring out clearly, and there’s a beautiful brightness to the tone that only gets better the more you play it. You’ll even see some professionals using them on stage.
Best budget acoustic
📏 The Fender FA-135 is a great budget option for kids aged 9 years or older. The 25.3” scale length isn’t that far from a full-size guitar, so avoid it if you have a younger child.
✅ Buy if you want to strike the right balance: The FA-135 is priced very well, whilst not cutting too many corners. It will serve a beginner purposefully without holding them back.
❌ Avoid if your child is very young: Although the concert body is compact, for very small kids, it’ll still be too large.
Overview: The Fender FA-135 is a concert-sized acoustic guitar aimed squarely at beginners. Coming from one of the biggest names in guitars, it offers an affordable and approachable starting point for kids who want a proper acoustic without the size or cost of a full-scale model.
Build quality: It features fully laminated construction, with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. While solid wood would improve the tone, the laminate build makes the FA-135 more resistant to temperature and humidity changes, which is useful for school use or younger players.
Playability: The concert body shape is slightly more compact than many acoustics, making it easier for smaller arms and hands to manage. Fender’s “easy-to-play” neck profile helps beginners form chords comfortably, though it may still feel a bit large for very young children.
Sounds: Sonically, the FA-135 sounds good enough for a first guitar. The spruce top gives it a bright, clear response, while the mahogany adds some warmth through the midrange. It’s versatile enough to handle a variety of styles and won’t hold a beginner back.
Best small acoustic
📏 With its 3/4 body size and 22.83” scale length, the Yamaha CS40 MKII 3/4 is ideal for younger kids from 5 years and up. There’s also a half-size version if your child is in the 3-5 age range.
✅ Buy if steel strings are too harsh: Nylon strings are very soft compared to steel strings, which makes them ideal for younger learners, preventing them getting put off.
❌ Avoid if they want to play modern genres: The softer tone of nylon strings doesn’t quite work well with genres like rock or pop.
Overview: Some kids just starting out might find steel strings a little too tough. That’s where nylon-strung guitars can be really helpful. The strings feel much softer underneath their fingers, so they’re less likely to be put off playing altogether while they’re building up the calluses on their fingers.
Build quality: Yamaha is, of course, well known in the music world for creating high-quality instruments of all levels. The CS40 is built well and will act as a worthy starter instrument for a child wanting to learn the guitar. With a laminate spruce top and laminate meranti back and sides, this no-frills guitar is robust enough to survive a few knocks.
Playability: The Yamaha CS40 is a 3/4 sized guitar, making it perfect for younger beginners or those who prefer something smaller. The dimensions of everything on this instrument have been scaled down from the full-sized version, making stretches on the fingerboard and reaching around to pluck the strings easier.
Sounds: Nylon strings do yield a mellower and warmer tone, too, which can work well for certain styles of music, such as classical or folk. However, if your kid is looking to play rock or pop, a steel string may better suit them, despite the calluses that will occur.
Best electric
📏 The Power Players SG has a very small 22.73” scale length, which makes it an ideal electric for children aged 5 years and up.
✅ Buy if your kid loves rock or metal: There is no denying this pocket-rocket excels with the heavier genres.
❌ Avoid if you’re buying for an older child: The 3/4 scale length and compact body may be too small for bigger kids.
Overview: Built especially with younger players in mind, the Epiphone Power Players SG is built extremely well and features a pair of really punchy-sounding humbuckers. This makes it one of the best guitars for kids who want to explore the world of rock, blues, metal or pretty much any other style of electric guitar-based music.
Build quality: This compact SG sits around the 3/4 size mark, with a 22.73” scale length, thin neck profile, and smaller body. Because Epiphone has made and fitted this guitar with good quality hardware and components, it holds its tuning and intonation well – something that can really be a problem with kids’ guitars.
Playability: Thanks to the shorter scale length, chord shapes are easier to get right, offering real encouragement for beginners. A low, comfortable action also helps, and smaller players won’t struggle as much reaching around the body to get to the strings.
Sounds: Thanks to the thoughtful build quality, this guitar rings out nicely even before you plug it in. When amplified, the Epiphone humbuckers provide plenty of grit and body. I can see any young rock ’n’ roll fan having the time of their lives learning classic riffs with this guitar.
Best budget electric
📏 With its 24-inch scale, the Sonic Mustang is slightly larger than the Power Player SG, so better suited for kids who are aged 9 years and older.
✅ Buy if you value simplicity: Starting life as a student model, Squier has further simplified a Fender classic, making it simple to navigate for kids.
❌ Avoid if you’d prefer more choices: Simplicity does negate choice, so if your kids would prefer to experiment with more pickup combinations, look elsewhere.
Overview: Squier makes some really good guitars and basses, using their sister company Fender as a basis for most models. This Sonic Mustang has been stripped down and simplified somewhat, making it one of the best guitars for kids.
Build quality: Though it is a full-size model, the Mustang has a shorter 24” scale, with a compact offset body. The double-cutaway provides easier access higher up the neck, whilst the satin finish offers smooth transitions as you work your left-hand up and down.
Playability: It’s also got a nice, slim neck profile, so there isn’t much to battle with there and little hands will appreciate less bulk. The layout has been simplified too – the Sonic Mustang does away with the individual pickup switches, opting instead for an easy-to-use three-way pickup selector.
Sounds: The single coil pickups are fairly bright-sounding, with lots of articulation and clarity. For kids about to discover the worlds of rock, alternative, and indie guitar, this one is perfect.
Best small electric
📏 The Loog Telecaster has a tiny 20.6” scale length, making it great for very young kids from the age of 3 years and up.
✅ Buy if you value learning materials: The extra learning material included is the most on our list and will help throughout the nascent stages.
❌ Avoid if you’re after a proper guitar: This Telecaster maxes out at a young age and won’t be ideal for those looking for the real deal.
Overview: This is perfect for younger children who are showing an interest in guitar. Ukulele can be a good place to start, but if they want to take the next step, then something like this Loog Telecaster could be just the thing!
Build quality: It’s made in collaboration with Fender and sports the timeless Telecaster body shape. It’s fitted with a single pickup and just one knob, so it’s very easy to use. The build quality is reminiscent of Squier’s Sonic series, which is serviceable and lightweight; for the price, that’s about right.
Playability: With just three strings, a shorter 20.6" scale length, and simplified controls, this Telecaster is very easy for young children to get to grips with. Chord shapes and single-note lines are far less intimidating than on a full six-string, helping build confidence early on. It’s light, comfortable to hold, and sized appropriately for smaller hands, making it far more inviting than a standard electric guitar at this stage.
Sounds: The sound is very jangly, and the tuning is higher than a standard guitar, plus it’s only got three strings, making it more manageable for very young players. If a child is craving an electric guitar, but you know they’re not quite ready for a full-sized, 6-string instrument, then this is a good in-between. It even comes with a range of helpful learning materials to get them going.
How to choose
When buying a guitar for a kid, there are a few key points you need to consider. Having worked in a guitar store for the best part of a decade, these are the steps I went through with almost every parent looking for a new guitar for their child. I’ve put this section together to help you select the best option and give your kid the best possible start.
1. Scale length
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One of the most important factors to consider is scale length. This refers to the distance between the nut and the saddle, and it plays a big role in how easy a guitar is to play. It really comes down to common sense. If you’re buying for a very young child with shorter arms, a full-size scale length of around 25.5 inches will likely feel too long. In this case, something between 20 and 22 inches will be far more comfortable.
This works the other way around too. If you’re buying for an older child, or one who’s growing quickly, a full-size scale length will feel more natural and help future-proof the guitar for the years ahead.
2. Body shape
The next consideration should be body shape. For electric guitars, the most common options are S-style or single-cut designs. An S-style guitar features two cutaways, allowing easier access to higher frets, while a single-cut design only has one.
Body contours are also worth paying attention to. Some guitars feature ergonomic shaping on the back, making them more comfortable when resting against the body. For acoustic guitars, body size is especially important. Larger bodies, like dreadnoughts, can feel unwieldy for kids, whereas smaller concert-sized bodies are often much easier to manage.
3. Style
This one might sound trivial, but I genuinely believe that a guitar your kid likes the look of will encourage them to practice more. From my experience, the kids who stick with playing are usually the ones who feel good when they pick up their instrument. Practice is obviously key, but so is choosing a guitar that makes them feel excited to play.
It might take a conversation to figure out what style, finish, or general vibe they like, but getting this right can make a real difference in whether they stick with it.
FAQs
Is my child ready to learn to play guitar?
This will differ on a case-by-case basis. Each child is unique, and whether they pick up learning an instrument will depend on their attention span, enthusiasm, and finding a guitar that suits their size. Learning guitar takes commitment and, at first, can be frustrating. Typically, younger children don’t have the perseverance to get over this hurdle, and keeping them interested can be a challenge. Also, finding a guitar for a very young kid can be challenging.
However, these things are not impossible. During my years as a guitar teacher, I taught a kid as young as five. Personally, I started at seven years of age. So if your kid is determined, genuinely interested, and you can get a guitar that fits them, then they’ll be ready.
What size guitar should I buy?
To determine this, your best bet is to take your kid into a guitar store and try as many guitars as possible for size. A ¾-size guitar is a popular choice for children, as the shorter scale length makes fretting notes easier. Body shape is also an important factor, particularly with acoustic guitars, as larger bodies can be uncomfortable for smaller players.
Electric guitars tend to be a little more forgiving in this respect. They’re generally slimmer, lighter, and easier to hold, so slightly larger scale lengths are often manageable for kids. Ultimately, comfort is key. If the guitar feels too big or awkward, it can quickly become discouraging, so aim for something that feels easy and inviting to play.
Is it better to start with acoustic or electric?
There’s no single ‘correct’ choice when it comes to a beginner instrument. One common theory is that acoustic guitars can be a little trickier for kids to learn on, due to higher string tension and the more unforgiving nature of fretting chords. Because of this, moving from acoustic to electric can feel easier, as you’re going down in string tension, but this certainly isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.
Ultimately, it comes down to what they want to learn. If they’re leaning towards rock music, they may progress more quickly with an electric guitar. Likewise, if acoustic or pop music is more their thing, an acoustic guitar might be more inspiring. Keeping their interest up in those early days is what really matters.
Are cheap guitars good quality?
There are plenty of affordable guitars that offer good quality and value for money, especially for kids. That said, it’s worth being wary of guitars that are too cheap. We’ve seen $50/$60 instruments sold online over the last few years that use very poor components, often arriving with serious setup issues that make learning far more difficult than it needs to be.
If you stick with well-known brands like Yamaha, Epiphone, or Squier, you’re unlikely to go wrong. Any budget guitar included in our guides meets a minimum quality standard and will be more than suitable for kids to learn on.
Would it be better to start with a ukulele?
Not necessarily. If your kid has shown an interest in learning guitar, it’s a good idea to nurture that. This is especially true if they’ve been inspired by a particular style of music or artist. While a ukulele’s four strings can be easier to pick up than a guitar’s six-string layout, you’re not going to get very far if their heart isn’t in it.
One of the hardest things to maintain when learning an instrument is interest and enthusiasm. If they’re not particularly excited from the get-go, you’ll be skating uphill trying to keep them engaged.
How do I stop them from getting discouraged?
Don’t get us wrong, learning guitar is hard. No one picks one up and plays it well immediately. Keeping things positive, while working through bite-sized, structured lessons, is a great way to stop them from getting discouraged. Teaching songs they know and love is another effective approach, and once they start hearing real progress while playing music they enjoy, it helps keep frustration at bay.
Is it better to get a teacher or use online guitar lessons?
For young kids, I generally think it’s better to get a teacher. Attention spans can wander at an early age, and having a designated place and time to learn helps keep things on track. Even for older beginners, it can be hard to spot mistakes on your own, and falling into bad habits is easy, something a good teacher can help avoid.
That said, if your child is a bit older and more independent, there are plenty of online guitar lessons platforms, such as Fender Play and Gibson Learn to Play, that offer structured courses. This route requires more self-discipline, as there’s no one checking in on progress, so it’s worth considering what will suit your child best.
Is it better to spend more?
I say it’s only better to spend more if you need to do so to get your kid the correct guitar for them. There are plenty of affordable options that offer serious value and, for a large percentage of kids, are more than enough to get them to the intermediate level. Guitar production has come on leaps and bounds in the last few decades, as brands like Squier and Yamaha are producing serious quality for very low cost on the consumer end. But if you have spotted the perfect guitar for your kid that costs a bit more, then go for it.
How quickly will they outgrow a guitar?
It really depends on the child’s age and how quickly they grow. Younger kids will naturally outgrow smaller guitars faster, which is why future-proofing is worth thinking about, but not at the expense of comfort. A guitar that’s too big can be frustrating and put them off playing altogether.
In many cases, kids can manage a full-sized electric guitar earlier than an acoustic, as electrics are slimmer and easier to handle. Acoustics tend to feel bulkier, so smaller players may need a 1/2- or 3/4-size for longer. The best thing is finding something that feels comfortable now, even if it means upgrading again down the line.
Key terms
- Action: This refers to the height between your strings and fingerboard; higher action is typically harder to play as it requires more force to fret the note.
- Amplifier: The device you plug an electric guitar into to amplify the guitar’s weak signal into one that is much louder.
- Body: This is the largest part of the guitar and is the resonant chamber that produces most of the sound. On an electric, the body houses the pickups and electronics, whilst on an acoustic, this is where you find the soundhole.
- Bridge: The piece of hardware that anchors the strings to the guitar’s body.
- Chord: This is a combination of three or more notes to create an entire chord. You play chords with your left hand as you fret the strings.
- Cutaway: If a guitar has a cutaway, its body has had a section removed to make it easier for your hand to play higher up the neck.
- Fretboard (fingerboard): This is the section of wood on the front of the neck where you press the strings down to play notes and chords. It’s marked with frets to help you find the correct pitches.
- Frets: These are the metal strips embedded into the fretboard. Pressing a string down behind a fret changes the note being played.
- Headstock: Located at the end of the neck, the headstock holds the tuning machines and is where the strings are anchored at the top of the guitar.
- Humbucker: A type of pickup that uses two coils to reduce unwanted noise and hum. Humbuckers tend to sound thicker and more powerful than single-coil pickups.
- Intonation: This refers to how accurately a guitar stays in tune across the entire fretboard. Poor intonation means notes sound out of tune as you move higher up the neck.
- Neck: The long section of the guitar that connects the body to the headstock. It’s where your fretting hand does most of its work.
- Nut: A small piece of material at the top of the fretboard that guides the strings from the neck to the tuning machines. It plays a role in tuning stability and string spacing.
- Nylon strings: Strings made from nylon, most commonly found on classical guitars. They’re softer on the fingers and lower in tension than steel strings.
- Pickguard (scratchplate): A protective plate fitted to the body of a guitar to prevent scratches from strumming and picking.
- Pickup: A magnetic or electronic component that captures the vibration of the strings and converts it into an electrical signal for amplification.
- Pickup selector: A switch that allows you to choose which pickup or combination of pickups is active on an electric guitar.
- Scale length: The distance between the nut and the bridge. Shorter scale lengths are generally easier to play, while longer ones offer more tension and clarity.
- Setup: The process of adjusting a guitar to make it play its best. This includes action height, intonation, neck relief, and tuning stability.
- Single coil: A type of pickup that uses one coil. Single coils sound bright and clear, but are more prone to electrical noise interference than humbuckers.
- Strap pin: A small metal pin on the guitar body used to attach a guitar strap.
- String gauge: This refers to the thickness of the strings. Lighter gauges are easier to press down, while heavier gauges offer more volume and tension.
- Truss rod: A metal rod inside the neck that helps control its curvature. Adjusting it can improve playability and prevent neck issues.
- Tuner: A device used to help bring the guitar strings up to the correct pitch.
- Tuning machines: The mechanisms on the headstock that tighten or loosen the strings to tune the guitar.
How we test
At Guitar Player, our team of writers aren't just music enthusiasts; we're real-life musicians. Our hands-on experience with kid-friendly guitars ensures that our reviews and recommendations are backed by practical knowledge and real-world testing.
When it comes to selecting the best guitars for kids, we leave no stone unturned. Meticulously evaluating factors like tonal versatility, sonic character, build quality, and value for money, it's only after rigorous testing in a variety of playing scenarios do we choose products for our guides. We stand by our selections, ensuring that we only recommend guitars that we'd use ourselves.
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