The Best Kids Guitars For Boys

The guitar is the cornerstone of rock music, so it’s no wonder that its popularity has skyrocketed over the last few decades. However, for kids that feel inspired and want to learn to play, it can be hard to get started on a regular-sized guitar. Most guitars are built for adults, which can make it difficult for kids to play. If you’re looking for a guitar that’s fit for your little one, we’ve rounded up the best kids' guitars so you can save time shopping and find the right instrument for your little shredder.

What to Look For

When narrowing down the best kids’ guitars for boys, we considered wood quality, build style, overall features, and price. For example, if you want a guitar that has great build quality, the Squier 3/4 size kids mini Strat electric guitar is a solid choice. If you prefer the acoustic guitar and want something that’s extremely affordable, the Master Play 30-Inch wood guitar is your best bet. Read on to see all our top choices and find the kids’ guitar that’s right for you.

YMC 30-Inch Kids Electric Guitar Pack

Ready to rock

This affordable starter kit comes with plenty of accessories for beginner players.
Best Overall

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If you’re looking to get started on the right foot, this guitar bundle pack for YMC has you covered. With a 5-watt amp, instrument cable, strap, picks, gig bag, extra strings, and strap guards, this bundle is chocked-full of goodies. The guitar itself has just one pickup for straightforward controls and tone. The construction is solid, the neck has plenty of room to shred, and the aesthetic is fit for any rocker. Best of all, at its price point, this bundle is a killer bargain.

Pros:

  • Comes with a battery-powered amp
  • The fretboard has 21 frets
  • One pickup for simple controls
  • Double cutaway for easy access to higher frets

Cons:

  • The amp tone is sub-par

Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar

A modern classic

This miniature Stratocaster has most of the same perks as the original, all at a smaller size.
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The Fender Stratocaster is a legendary guitar used by Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, and countless other guitar icons, and with the Squier line, it’s now available at an affordable price to everyone. This 3/4-sized mini Strat is just the same as a standard Squier Strat but scaled down to make it easier to play with small hands. It features a maple neck, a three-pickup configuration, plenty of accessories, and a 22.75-inch scale length for easier playing. When it comes to quality in kids’ guitars, this guitar is miles ahead of the competition.

Pros:

  • C-shaped maple neck
  • Fingerboard with 20 frets
  • Three different pickups to use
  • Quality accessories

Cons:

  • More expensive than most other beginner guitar bundles

LyxPro 30-Inch Electric Guitar Starter Kit for Kids

Get to the gig

This starter set comes with a humbucker pickup and a 20-watt amp for louder output and a rocking tone.
Best Complete Kit

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If you’re looking to rock and roll right out of the box, it doesn’t get any better than this starter kit from LyxPro. With a humbucker-equipped guitar, all the accessories you need to play, and a 20-watt amp, this complete setup is ready for jamming with the whole band. Most starter kits will feature a guitar with single coils and an amp that’s five watts or less, but this starter package is made for shredding at full volume. With a humbucker pickup and 20-watt amp, you get much more output and gain than a standard beginner setup. Plus, this guitar is made from quality Canadian maple. It may only be 3/4-size, but this is fully loaded with tonal possibilities.

Pros:

  • Color-coordinated amp and guitar
  • Rosewood fingerboard and maple neck
  • Amp is 20 watts
  • One humbucker pickup

Cons:

  • Tuning machines don’t hold tune very well

Master Play 30-Inch Wood Guitar

Don't break the bank

This affordable guitar bundle has plenty of accessories to get you started.
Best On A Budget

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If your child is interested in learning guitar but you’re not quite sure if the interest will stick yet, this budget guitar gives you a low-risk way to test the waters and see if it’s something your kid will want to pursue. At less than half the price of most other acoustic bundles out there, this affordable package from Master Play offers plenty of jamming without breaking the bank. It’s a classical guitar style that comes with nylon strings, so it’s easier on small fingers than steel strings. It may not be the most amazing quality, but it’s great for a bargain guitar bundle.

Pros:

  • Nine different color options
  • Options for right or left-handed guitars
  • Lightweight and easily manageable
  • Nylon strings are easier to press down than steel strings

Cons:

  • Classical tuning machines of this quality are less stable than other options

Fender FA-15 3/4-Scale Kids Steel String Acoustic Guitar

Loud and clear

This quality acoustic guitar is meant to give small hands a good tone.
Best Acoustic

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Fender is primarily known for their Stratocasters and Telecasters, but that doesn’t make their acoustic guitars any less impressive. They’re a household name for a reason, and this mini acoustic guitar is just one example of their widespread quality control. This guitar is 3/4 scale for a more comfortable fit, but feature-wise it’s very similar to some of Fender’s adult acoustic guitars. It also has a walnut fingerboard, comes with a few practical accessories, and has a luscious tone. This guitar may be kid-sized, but it’s definitely not a toy. For great tuning stability and tonal quality in a miniature size, this purchase is a no-brainer.

Pros:

  • Good quality wood
  • Durable construction
  • Comes with practical add-ons
  • Reliable tuning for beginners

Cons:

  • It has a laminated top, which is practical for the price but not particularly great for tone

Frequently Asked Questions

What size guitar is right for my child?

This can vary depending on how big your child is and their personal preference, but 1/2 and 3/4 size guitars are common for children. 3/4 scale guitars are meant for children ages 6-12, while 1/2 scale guitars are meant for children younger than that. There are even smaller options if your child is especially petite. It’s always best to try guitars out in person before buying, but you can use the sizes as a general reference.

What are some important things to look for in a beginner guitar?

Some of the most important things to look for in a beginner guitar are tuning stability and comfortable playability. This means that the strings stay in tune, the notes fret accurately, and the neck isn’t too big or small for your child’s hands. Some budget guitars are great as a novelty, but they’re not practical for kids who are developing real musical talent. Even if a guitar’s tone isn’t the best, as long as it can stay in tune, play notes accurately, and is comfortable to play, it makes for a great beginner guitar.

About the Author

Mitchell is a professional musician and knows the importance of quality gear. From filming music videos to recording albums from his computer, he has discovered what separates the best tech from the worst. He hopes to share his expertise and experiences in the world of technology to guide others towards reliable gear that helps them shine.

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