How to Bring the Sounds of Music Along on Every Adventure with Your Kid

When you’re taking a big trip, I’m sure most of you consider your essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, underwear, etc.

Me? I bring my uke.

I’m Lenny San Jose (he/him), ukulele musician and educator based in Huchiun, the unceded Lisjan Ohlone territory that is known as Oakland. I also happen to be Angelica’s partner, and Angel’s former band mate (in Cal Band and a groovy rock band, too—see if you can spot Angel and Angelica in the dance section!).

Even before having children, I was the kind of person who would always have a few instruments in the trunk of my car, just in case Stevie Wonder showed up and was looking for folks to jam with. So I knew that in the wild mosh pit that is known as “Parenthood,” I would be similarly prepared for battle. I’m writing this blog to encourage you to do the same, since (as you already probably know) music is an essential and powerful tool in your child’s development.

So any time you find yourselves packing for a trip to Yosemite or just to the grocery store, be sure to bring—say it with me—phone, wallet, keys,…and instruments!

Ukulenny's Pro-Tips for Musical Adventures

1. Always Pack an Eggshaker

One of my favorite additions to the diaper bag is the noble eggshaker (or two or three). Easy enough to fit in a side pocket, this mighty egg is a white noise machine, surprise distraction (comes in your favorite distracting colors), instrument (duh!), ball to play catch with, magician prop, and you can even spin it like a top on a table or floor. Small enough to fit in kids’ hands and not swallowable, you can even opt for tiny maracas for easier handling. Bring a few and you can model shaking techniques with the kiddo, tap eggs together to the beat, or even start a jam session at your next play date. The eggshaker might even save your plane ride—I know we’ve dodged a few tantrums by deploying the egg during several long trips in the air and on the road.

Ukulenny Recommends: LP Rhythmix Plastic Eggshakers ($8.99)

2. Bring Instruments You Can Share

I always aim to bring an instrument that I don’t mind getting dropped, scratched, drooled on, tortured, etc. When a child shows interest trying to strum or bang on something, it’s always nice to say “go for it buddy!” So leave the Taylor guitar at home and opt for cheaper alternatives. Ukuleles are relatively inexpensive which is why I love them the most – my beloved plastic Makala Waterman comes with us on every beach trip, doubles as a shovel, paddle, floating device, and rinses off for the next jam. Drums, shakers, harmonicas, mbiras (thumb pianos), and those little toy accordions are all instruments you yourself can play but also won’t get too beat up when your child eats them.

Ukulenny Recommends:

Harmonicas: Small, lightweight, durable, and also doubles as a Geordi La Forge visor
Ukuleles: Kala Brand Makala Waterman and more ukes available at my affiliate link.

3. Have Your Jam Tracks in Order

Keep your kids’ fave beats on a playlist of some sort, and work out some musical sections to highlight with your instruments. You’ll be surprised by how much they remember through each repetition of the song, to the point where they’ll let you know if you miss your cue. “Wipeout” has a sweet drum break, “Baby Shark” is basically the same note for the whole song (it’s a G), and “If You’re Happy and you Know It” is an exceptional piece of music that really reaches new heights with a triangle or bongo drum. Whatever your jam is—we rocked “Helpless” from Hamilton for 6 straight months—find a way to incorporate your instruments-of-choice to take your performance to the next level.

Pro tip: pre-download or make your playlists “available online” so you can play them out in the wilderness!

Download my uke songbook for kids tunes here.

Listen to my kid’s latest Spotify playlist for inspiration.

4. Use Music as a Distraction

One of my favorite parts of bringing instruments along for the journey is the powerful art of distraction. I already mentioned the eggshaker as white noise machine, but the uke has been a calming force in our parenting journey from day one. On one occasion we were on a trip to Florida when our kid was 7 months old, and we were staying the night with some relatives. At 3am, like clockwork, our little person decided to wake up the entire house with her own interpretation of fortissimo (that is to say, very loud!). We tried the pacifier, rocking, feeding, hugging, everything we could throw at the kid. Lo and behold, it was the soft tinkling of the ukulele that brought her back to a calm island paradise. We all know a good distraction can help change gears and snap our children out of a complete breakdown, and the different timbres and tones of instruments can really make a big impact in that process.

Ukulenny recommends calming your kiddo down with Kimie’s superb album, Hawaiian Lullaby.

5. Not Going Anywhere for a While? Jam On!

We had a phrase in the Cal Band called “hurry up and wait.” Let’s face it—there is a LOT of waiting when you’re out on a trip. I love having my uke handy to entertain my family and random strangers, or even just to practice songs or mess around. Having your instruments at all times means that when there’s time to kill, you have something to kill it with. I’ve jammed in long lines (so many lines), on buses and trains, airport shuttles, around the campfire, on long hikes, and even on the top of Half Dome (you’ll hear this story later). Strumming a few songs for your young ones can break the monotony of that waiting game, and it’s also great practice for your second job as a clown. We’ve even collaborated to make up silly one-chord songs (you should hear our original track “Cookies in the Car”) to get the kids to buckle up a little faster. And if you brought eggshakers, you can also juggle, play catch, organize an Easter egg hunt, roll them down a slide, and more.

I hope you’ll come away with a few ideas on how to incorporate musical instruments into your parenting journey. I truly cherish every musical moment we’ve had with our kid—go out and make your own!

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Lenny S.

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Lenny San Jose (he/him), aka Ukulenny, is an ukulele performer and educator based in Oakland, CA. He is a co-founder of SF Uke Jam along with fellow uke star Cynthia Lin, and also plays with her in the band U3 with Abe Lagrimas Jr. He began his own YouTube channel in 2011 and now has 75k+subscribers and over 10 million views. After teaching in public schools in the Bay Area for 5 years, he made the jump to be a full time musician and workshop facilitator in 2016. He also happens to be the partner of Beautiful Brown Adventures co-founder Angelica!