It's a moment you've been waiting for: your little kid is asking to play an instrument! You'd love to support it with something more than rhythm sticks and castanets, but perhaps less daunting than formal viola lessons. Introducing the Melody Harp, a sixteen string zither that sits on a kid's lap, covers two octaves, and comes with sheets of familiar tunes. As kids pluck notes marked on the music, they see how sounds go up and down, and how some of them last longer than others. The best part for young learners? They learn all this while playing full songs that sound great. This low-tech, classic wooden harp is not just a toy, but a real instrument. And it lays marvelous, melodic groundwork for a lifetime love of music. (Trophy Music, $34.95)