What’s the Best Singing Straw for Kids? (And Fun Exercises to Try)

So the other day, we got a great question in our inbox:

“What’s the best Singing / Straw™ to use with younger singers?”

This teacher works with kids ages 4–12 and wanted to know not just which straw to choose, but also what kind of exercises keep little ones engaged.

I LOVE this question, because working with young singers is all about keeping their joy alive. 

A six-year-old doesn’t need a dissertation on vocal fold physiology… they need fun, movement, and music they actually enjoy.

The Best Singing / Straw for Younger Singers

Hands down, my go-to recommendation is the Singing / Straw Sili.

Why? 

3 magical words: soft, flexible silicone.

• They’re unbreakable. (Parents and teachers everywhere, you can exhale.)

• They won’t chip teeth. (IYKYK.)

• They can’t be turned into lightsabers or fencing swords… well, not effectively, anyway.

The Sili is super kid-friendly, easy to clean, and forgiving enough to survive a chaotic voice lesson with a kindergartner.

Favorite Straw Exercises for Kids

When you’re working with younger singers, the goal is NOT to crank out operatic high notes or force serious technique before they’re ready. Instead, it’s about:

✨ Building a healthy foundation
✨ Exploring their voice in a safe way
✨ And most importantly… keeping the FUN alive

Here are a few tried-and-true straw phonation exercises kids love:

• Slides – Think of it as the “vocal playground slide.” Start low, glide up high, then slide back down.

• Sirens – Kids already love making silly siren noises (bonus points if they act out the firetruck).

• Scales with a twist – Keep them short, simple, and silly. Add funny sounds or make it into a call-and-response game.

• Sing their favorite songs through the straw – This is where the magic really happens. Whether it’s a Disney tune, a Taylor Swift banger, or Baby Shark (sorry in advance), straw phonation helps kids find ease and balance on songs they already love.

The straw essentially acts like “training wheels” for their voice: guiding them into easier coordination across their range without the tension or push.

Why It Works

With kids (and honestly, with adults too), singing through a straw makes complex technique feel effortless. Instead of yelling through their high notes or guessing how to “place” their voice, they naturally discover:

• Easier airflow

• Smoother transitions

• A more balanced, resonant sound

All while playing. 

And that’s the point: early lessons should lay the foundation for a lifelong love of singing… not stress them out with scales that feel like homework.

Final Thoughts

If you’re teaching young singers, start with the Sili Set and make the exercises as playful as possible. 

Encourage silliness, let them explore, and sneak the healthy technique in without them even realizing it.

Because when voice lessons feel like fun, kids want to keep singing…  and THAT’S where the real growth happens.

Want to find out which Singing / Straw is best for YOU (or your students)? 

Take my Perfect Straw Match Quiz before your next lesson!

It’s quick, fun, and gives you a personalized recommendation (plus a discount at the end).