A violin case has room for a few small things, and those are the easiest gifts for a violin student. Rosin, a cloth, and a mute cost little and get used every day. Bigger gifts need a word with the teacher first, because much violin gear comes in sizes.
No prices are listed here, because they change.
Check the size first
Children play violins in fractional sizes, from 1/16 up to full size, which is written 4/4. Some gifts must match that size, and some fit all.
| Must match the violin’s size | Fits any size |
|---|---|
| Shoulder rest | Rosin |
| Strings | Cleaning cloth |
| Case | Music stand |
| Chin rest | Clip-on tuner |
| Bow | Metronome |
Look inside the case or ask the teacher for the size. To measure at home, use the violin size finder and read violin sizes for kids.
Small gifts for the case
- A fresh cake of rosin. Rosin makes the bow hair grip the string. A cake lasts a long time, and a dropped one shatters, so a spare is welcome.
- A soft cloth. Rosin dust settles on the wood and the strings. A wipe after each practice keeps it off.
- A practice mute. A rubber mute sits on the bridge and makes the violin much quieter. It is a gift for the whole house. Read how to practice violin quietly.
- A clip-on tuner. It clips to the scroll and shows whether a string is sharp or flat. It helps a parent who cannot tune by ear.
- A small humidifier for the case. Dry winter air can crack a wooden instrument. Ask the teacher or a violin shop whether your climate calls for one.
- A name tag for the case. School orchestra rooms are full of cases that look the same.
First-year beginners
- A folding music stand. Music on a bed or a table pulls the head down and the violin with it.
- A shoulder rest that fits. Ask the teacher which kind. Some teachers start small children with a sponge and a rubber band.
- A book of easy tunes they know. Folk songs and fiddle tunes on the open strings keep a beginner playing.
- A practice chart and stickers. Print a weekly practice chart or a 30-day practice chart.
Students in years two to four
- A metronome. The free metronome for kids works in a browser. A small one for the stand saves reaching for a phone.
- A book of duets. Two violins playing together sound far bigger than one. A sibling, a friend, or the teacher can take the second part.
- Fiddle tunes. Jigs and reels are short and fast, and they build quick fingers.
- A stand light. For school concerts and dark winter afternoons.
- Concert tickets. Pick a program with a violin concerto, and sit where your child can see the soloist’s hands.
Intermediate and advanced students
- New strings. Strings wear out, and a fresh set brightens the sound. Ask the teacher which brand and how often.
- A bow rehair. The hair on a bow wears smooth with use. A violin shop replaces it.
- A better bow. A better bow can change the sound and the feel of playing. The student must try bows in person, with the teacher’s help.
- A good edition of a concerto or sonata. Ask the teacher which one.
- A summer camp or a place in a youth orchestra. See youth orchestras: how kids join.
Gifts that are not things
- A lesson with a fiddler or a jazz violinist
- A trip to a violin maker’s workshop
- An evening when the student picks all the music
- A recording session, so they can hear themselves
What to skip
- A full-size violin for a small child. A violin that is too big strains the arm and the neck. Children move up one size at a time.
- The cheapest violin online. Some low-priced instruments cannot be tuned or set up to play well. Read renting vs buying an instrument first. Then read best beginner violins for kids.
- Finger tapes or stickers for the fingerboard. Teachers place these themselves, if they use them at all.
- Electric violins for beginners, unless the teacher suggests one.
A gift that costs nothing
Ask for a concert at home. Sit down, put the phone away, and listen to every piece. Then ask for your favorite once more.
Print and play
The printables library has free practice charts and a lesson notes page for parents who sit in on lessons.
For the basics a beginner needs, see violin accessories for beginners. For more ideas, see gifts for kids who love music. For the teacher, see piano teacher gift ideas, which fit a violin teacher too. For more on lessons, see music lessons for kids: a parent’s guide.
More from this guide
This article is part of Music lessons for kids: a parent's guide to starting, choosing, and practicing.
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.