How to beatbox for kids

Beatboxing is making drum sounds with your mouth. You need no equipment, and you can learn the first beat in one go. Here's how.

Three secret sounds

Each sound is a drum. Whisper them: no voice, just air.

• B is the big drum. Close your lips, puff your cheeks a tiny bit, and pop! ▶ Hear the kick drum
• T is the tiny cymbal. Tongue behind your top teeth, then a quick "ts". ▶ Hear the hi-hat
• K is the snappy drum. Like the start of "cat", but whispered: "k". ▶ Hear the snare

The magic words: boots and cats

1. Say "boots and cats and boots and cats" out loud.
2. Now whisper it like a secret.
3. Now whisper only the start of each word: b, ts, k, ts.

You just beatboxed! It sounds like this:

BTKT▶ Hear it 60 bpm

Play the beat game

Learn Beatboxing is a free game that listens through the phone or laptop microphone. The phone learns what your sounds are like, then you play along with the click and it shows every beat in green (right) or red (try again). Get 90% and you unlock the next level, a little faster.

Play level 1 →

For parents and teachers

• No account needed and nothing to download: it runs in Chrome or Safari.
• The sound stays on the device. The microphone is analysed in the browser; only scores are saved, under a random ID.
• Children under 13 should use it without signing in. See the privacy page.
• The basic sounds are whispered, so they're gentle on young voices. A sip of water helps.
• It works well as a five-minute daily challenge, or a classroom rhythm warm-up.

Questions

What age can kids learn beatboxing?

Any child who can say "boots and cats" and keep a simple beat can start. The first three sounds are whispered and need no equipment.

Is there a free beatbox app for kids?

Learn Beatboxing is free and runs in the browser with no account or download. It listens through the microphone and scores each beat; the sound stays on the device.