Colorful, beautiful and eye-catching, Pat Bells from PlayMe aren’t toys, but unique musical instruments that can be played with a slight tap of a wooden knob. Each handbell in the 8-piece set is a different color of the spectrum, making it easy for kids to make their own music or follow song cards that feature notes with the corresponding bells’ colors.
Designed for kids ages 3 and up, the Pat Bells have been used in a variety of music education settings, including kids with special needs. As opposed to traditional handbells, there are no handles to hold or mallets needed to strike, so Pat Bells are described as being “easy to play” for younger kids or who have low muscle tone or delayed motor skill development.
When I spotted these gorgeous bells at Toy Fair, I was immediately drawn in by the colors and striking design. At $150, the bells may not find their way into personal music collections, but I’d love to see these in preschools, music classes and especially in the hands of music lovers of all ages.
Want to see the bells in action? I found a really great video on YouTube that gives a great demo.