Play, Learn, and Grow Through Music | Outdoor Musical Instruments for Young Learners
Percussion Play’s outdoor musical instruments turn school playgrounds and early years settings into dynamic, hands-on learning environments. Specially designed for young learners, these instruments support early childhood development through musical explorationmovement, and sensory play. Tuned for musical accuracy and built for outdoor durability, they help children develop motor skillsspatial awareness, and social interaction while reinforcing key concepts in the early years music curriculum. Whether used during outdoor lessons or free play, our instruments inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child.
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Case Study: How Tanque Verde Elementary Found Harmony Outdoors
Tanque Verde Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, has created a vibrant outdoor Music Garden thanks to a grant from A for Arizona. Featuring a range of Percussion Play instruments—including Rainbow Sambas, Harmony Flowers, and Tubular Bells—the space is designed to support student well-being, creativity, and recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. The garden is now a hub for outdoor learning, play, and musical exploration.
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Catalog Download

Explore how outdoor musical instruments can enrich learning environments with our Education Settings Catalog. Packed with inspiring ideas, real-life case studies, and expert insights, this catalog reveals how music can spark creativity, foster connection, and support inclusive play in schools and other educational settings. 

Outdoor Musical Instruments For Education Settings
White Paper

Music Matters - The Importance of Music Education is an insightful white paper 

that explores how music can enrich learning across early years and primary education. It highlights the powerful role music plays in developing language, spatial awareness, social skills, creativity, and imagination. The paper also examines how early exposure to music fosters a lifelong love of learning and how playing instruments—especially outdoors—can support physical health and well-being.
Music Matters - The Importance of Music Education
Podcast

In this inspiring episode, Seth Murzyn, Music & Orchestra Teacher at Tanque Verde Elementary, shares how Percussion Play instruments bring spontaneous, joyful music-making into daily school life. Joined by Deb Confredo, President of NAfME, the conversation explores how music fosters connection and creativity among students in today’s digital age.

🎧 Listen Now: Beyond Early Years - Evolving Music Education For Every Stage
FAQs

Are Percussion Play instruments suitable for all age groups in schools?

Yes! Our instruments are designed to be inclusive and accessible for children of all ages and abilities—from early years to elementary and beyond. They support developmental learning through play, rhythm, and collaboration, making them ideal for both structured school programming and unstructured play during recess.

Do outdoor musical instruments require a lot of maintenance?

These instruments are built to withstand the elements and require minimal upkeep. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and HDPE, they’re designed for long-term outdoor use. Occasional cleaning and inspection are typically all that’s needed to keep them looking and sounding great. 

While maintenance needs are low, replacement parts are available and easy to order—though they’re rarely needed thanks to the instruments’ robust construction and high-quality components.

How do outdoor musical instruments support the curriculum?

Outdoor musical instruments promote cross-curricular learning by enhancing music education while also supporting physical development, social-emotional growth, and creative expression. They align with learning goals in music, physical education, and inclusive education, making them a flexible and engaging resource for a wide range of school programs.

Do we need musical training to use these instruments with students?

Not at all. Most of the instruments are tuned to pentatonic or simple diatonic scales, meaning there are no wrong notes. This makes them ideal for teachers and students with little or no musical background to explore sound, rhythm, and creativity with confidence.
GET IN TOUCH WITH KATE
Kate Mannerings is our Education Specialist at Percussion Play, passionate about helping schools bring music to life in outdoor spaces. With a background in education and a love for creative learning, Kate works closely with teachers and school leaders to design musical environments that inspire curiosity, collaboration, and joy. Whether you're planning a sensory garden, a musical playground, or a curriculum-linked project, Kate’s here to help make it sing!
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