My kids are into music. My son, 15, knows how to read music and plays several instruments. My daughter, 12, just started taking violin lessons and enjoys them. My oldest, 16, doesn’t know how to read music, but music is a huge part of her life (she is surgically attached to her Ipod). With The Beamz, anyone at any music level can play music.

The concept is simple. Plug it in, put the USB port into your computer — although it limits you from moving the toy from room to room — and download the software. Pick a song. The music will start to play. Then just wave your hand through where the laser beams will be and you’ll be making sounds. Go back and forth between the beams and you’ll start to make music. You can play with or without background music.

My 12 year old enjoyed it because she really didn’t know how to read music and it gave her a way of being creative and making songs. My more advanced musician thought it was fun, but he wished there was more to it…ways to write and save your own pieces or change or add what was there. If there were ways to do that, we haven’t figured it out. He thought he might tire of it after awhile.

It’s a great way to kickstart some interest in music with any young child, but it comes with a $199 pricetag so this isn’t a product that should be considered a disposable toy. Honestly, it might be good for a special needs child who may not have the dexterity or the ability to play a traditional instrument. All they need to be able to do is wave their hand.

For more information, check out their website where you can download a starter demo.