How to Help Your Child Practice Drums at Home (Without Nagging)

Getting kids to practice drums at home can feel like a challenge, but it usually comes down to two things: how easy it is to sit down and play, and how they feel about it when they do. A few simple tweaks to the space and the routine can make practice feel natural rather than something that needs constant reminders.

The setup of the room makes a bigger difference than most people realise.

Try positioning the drum kit so it faces a wall, rather than tucking it into a corner. That way, the drum throne is easy to access, and students can just walk in and sit down without climbing around hardware.

A music stand beside the hi-hat makes it easy to use the practice sheets and resources I provide during lessons.

Studio headphones work really well at home — they protect hearing and make it easy to play along with songs or metronomes without turning everything up loud.

When the kit feels like a ready-to-go space rather than something that needs to be “set up,” students are much more likely to jump on it for a quick practice.

Home practice doesn’t have to be long or intense. Even 10 minutes a few times a week can build solid progress — especially on drums, where repetition and muscle memory are key.

Practice sticks better when it has a natural spot in the day. Some families slot it in right after homework or just before dinner, which keeps it casual and routine rather than a big event.

A small shift in language changes the vibe completely. Instead of asking, “Have you practiced?”, something like:

“What’s the groove you’re working on this week?”

“Can you play me that drum fill you mentioned?”

This invites them to show something off rather than feel like they’re being checked up on.

Progress on the drums appears in small steps — smoother fills, more confident timing, or just sitting with comfort behind the kit. A quick comment like, “That groove sounds tighter this week,” goes a long way in keeping motivation up.

Home practice doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to feel easy to start and good to finish. A comfortable setup and a bit of encouragement can make a big difference in how a student connects with their instrument outside of lessons.

If you're looking for drum lessons in Perth that make learning feel approachable and enjoyable, Guildford Drum School is always happy to help.