Bells

• Homemade tambourines, holiday bells, or actual hand bells can be shaken to create different sounds. Try to get several sizes of bells that emit different pitches and show the baby how to use the different bells to create a song. The baby can use different bells in conjunction to find her favorite pitch and combination of sound. Make sure that the bells are sturdily attached to a large object and not small enough to swallow.
  
  

Bongo Drums

• Hand drums, such as bongos, will help a baby develop rhythm and encourage creativity. Turning a baby loose to bang on his own drum will allow him to create his own songs, or encourage him to play along with songs on the radio as he gets older. There's also no need to buy an expensive drum set. Babies love banging on pots and pans or other items around the house.
  
  

Toy Piano

• Babies love to randomly press the musical keys on a piano and pianos can provide a different type of musical sound than percussion instruments. Many toy companies also add small piano-like objects on exercisers and there are even pianos that you can hang in a crib, which can be kicked or hit to create music. Even allowing your child to press the keys on a real piano as you hold him for safety can excite a baby.
  
  

Rattles

• A simple rattle can act as a musical instrument. Shake the rattle to a beat and watch the baby move in response. As soon as the baby is old enough, place the rattle in the baby's hand and help move the rattle in a certain rhythm as you sing or shake the rattle along to a favorite song or lullaby. As the baby ages, make it a game to see if he can shake a rattle to the rhythm.