Kids simply love to bang and blow on things. Anything to make noise--or in the case of Woodstock Percussion, Inc., Shokan, N.Y., beautiful music. For the bangers are a pair of fun thumpers, Rock Beat Rhythm Sticks ($19.95) and Chimalong Jr. ($20). For the blowers is the Harmonica Horn ($5).

The 13 1/2"-long electronic rhythm sticks have all the bells and whistles your budding Buddy Rich will need, as different buttons change the sound from a snare drum to a tom-tom to a crash cymbal. They also play a snappy rock melody to drum along to--and the ends of the sticks light up with each beat. Four AA batteries are included.

Chimalong Jr. is an eight-note metallophone with two mallets and alternate B-flat tube. The songbook can be understood by children of any age: younger kids can play songs by simply matching colors; older offspring can use the number system, and, eventually, learn traditional notation. Moreover, each tube is precision--tuned and securely suspended in a safe, rubber holder, ensuring that the soft, resonant sound of the instrument comes through.

The Harmonica Horn sounds like a harmonica, but is much easier to play. …