The 5 Best Electric Guitars for Kids (2024)

Electric guitars for kids are either toys or are built for beginners, so you’ll want something that actually sounds decent! This list includes some great guitars across different sizes and well-known brands.

My top pick is the Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar. It’s a versatile and compact option for both beginners and experienced players.

My budget pick is the YMC 30" Kids Electric Guitar Pack. It’s great for those who are not sure if they want to commit to the cost of a full-size guitar.

The 5 Best Electric Guitars for Kids (2024)

Let’s look at them in more detail:

Fender is one of the most iconic electric guitar manufacturers in the world, so buying their Squire model for your kid is always a sure bet. The Mini Strat is, as the name suggests, a ¾ version of the legendary Stratocaster. This is an iconic-looking and sounding guitar. 

The ¾ design is ideal for kids or beginner guitar players. Additionally, you get quality materials: the maple neck with an Indian laurel fingerboard, chrome hardware/tuners, and a gloss polyurethane finish.

There are three single-coil pickups and you have a 5-way switch to control your sound, giving you the iconic rock’n’roll tune. The neck has 20 frets and the sound quality is amazing. 

This is a great option for your kid due to its size, but it will also give you a very nice quality sound as it’s not just a toy.

If you’re looking for a budget option to give you all you need for a reasonable amount of money, you should consider this pack. The YMC is a 30” Electric guitar (3/4 sized roughly) with a Stratocaster body and a single pickup coil is a solid choice for kids.

The greatest thing about this pack is that you get really everything you need to play the electric guitar from the box. It includes a 5W battery-powered amplifier, which can be powered by an AC adapter sold separately.

In the pack, you’ll also find a cable, picks, strings, a tuner, and a strap. This is a nice quality package for people who are on a budget. Plus, the materials used are decent.

Overall, this is a decent all-in-one pack if you want to give your kid all the necessary tools to start their guitar journey.

This Epiphone pack and guitar were designed by one of the most iconic guitarists in the history of rock – Slash. The guitar is made with the popular Les Paul Special-II body. This pack has everything you would need to start your musical journey.

The guitar has a full-sized body and is equipped with two humbucker coils. This is great if your kid is a bit older or you just want to buy him a guitar that he will not outgrow in a couple of years.

The Amp in this pack is the Snakepit-15, a 15-watt amp with an open-back cabinet and a full EQ and AUX input. Everything in this pack is made for getting that iconic crunchy Slash sound. if you’re a fan of that, this is the perfect pack for you and your kid!

This pack is great for that little rockstar in your family. Granted the price is steeper, however, you get everything with one purchase.

Another pick from Squier, the Bullet Mustang HH is a short-scale version of their Mustang guitars. It looks the same as the full-sized guitar, but it’s a ¾ sized one. 

It is equipped with two humbucker coils, giving you a somewhat deeper and crunchier sound compared to the Stratocaster.

The neck is C-shaped and as for the electronics you get two knobs and a switch with which you can control the coils. This is a high-quality guitar, with a somewhat older/vintage sound and build.

The Squier Bullet Mustang HH is a battle-tested guitar that is more than suitable for kids. It features quality materials and produces a decent sound.

We finish off this list with another iconic guitar. The Ibanez GRGM21 is a shorter-sized version of their standard guitars. It’s made from quality materials and is suitable for different musical styles and genres.

The GRGM21 comes with two humbucker coils and has a thin-shaped neck, giving you a much more modern sound, which is the main feature of all Ibanez guitars.

This solid-body guitar is made from basswood, maple, and Jatoba hardwoods, making it very durable. Although, the plastic nut material is kind of a letdown but not a dealbreaker, especially at this price point.

If you love metal or hard rock, this should be your pick, as the sound of this guitar is perfect for that type of music.

Are There Any Electric Guitars That Are Specifically Designed for Children?

There are electric guitars that are specifically designed for children. These guitars often have smaller bodies and shorter necks to accommodate smaller children.

Which Size Kids’ Electric Guitar Should I Get?

If your kid is big enough to hold a full-sized guitar comfortably, then go with that. Otherwise, you can pick ¾ or ½ sized guitars. These are the same as the larger guitars but are just sized down for kids or people with shorter hands (Prince used to play shorter guitars his whole career).

Guitars vary in their size widely. Yet, some standard guitars range from 36-40”, with most of them going 38” long from top to bottom. Most of the kids can’t really hold a guitar before they are at least 10 years old, as they don’t have fingers large enough to play.

If your kid is already large enough to play a full-sized guitar, you should always go for the full-sized model, as it may become the guitar they play for many years to come. If not, there’s nothing wrong with smaller children playing on the sized-down versions, as there are no playing style differences.

Are There Electric Guitars For Left-Handed Kids?

Many guitar brands offer left-handed versions of their models, so it’s important to check if this is an option when making a purchase.

Should I Buy a Used or New Electric Guitar for a Child?

It is recommended to buy a new electric guitar for a child, as used guitars may have wear and tear that can affect playability and sound quality.

Verdict

Each one of these options offers unique features such as all-in-one packages, budget-friendly options, stylish designs, and various color choices. Overall, these electric guitars for kids provide a solid foundation for young musicians to grow and develop their skills.

My top pick is the Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar. It’s a versatile and compact option for both beginners and experienced players.

My budget pick is the YMC 30" Kids Electric Guitar Pack. It’s great for those who are not sure if they want to commit to the cost of a full-size guitar and all the necessary accessories.