London has a world-leading theatre scene, and it’s particularly strong when it comes to family shows. Head to the West End, and beyond, and you’ll find everything from beloved Disney movies-turned-enthralling musicals to innovative, accessible shows featuring puppetry, comedy, songs and more.
If you’re trying to decide which London children’s theatre to start with – perhaps as a treat during the summer holidays – and whether it will be suitable for your family, our expert Telegraph critics can help you choose with their incisive reviews. All the latest articles are at Telegraph Theatre.
You can find discounted tickets on Telegraph Tickets for all of the best shows for kids, such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Spongebob Musical, and The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Check out our list of top picks for London musicals and plays for kids below and get booking.
From our partners:
Best children’s theatre in London’s West End and beyond for 2023
The best shows for 3-6 year olds
The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Theatre Royal Haymarket
In a nutshell: David Wood’s faithful stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s beloved children’s book sees that furry surprise guest join Sophie and her mum for tea – and, naturally, chaos ensues. This accessible production includes singalongs.
Age recommendation: 3+
Booking until: Sept 3
The Everywhere Bear, Polka Theatre
In a nutshell: Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb’s popular tale about a small bear embarking on a big adventure comes to life in a fun, inviting stage adaptation featuring rhyme, music and puppetry.
Age recommendation: 3+
Booking until: Aug 13
Dinosaur World Live, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
In a nutshell: The popular Jurassic adventure returns, with its impressive puppets bringing those roarsome creatures back to life – from the Triceratops to the Tyrannosaurus Rex. It’s interactive too: kids are invited to help feed and groom the dinosaurs.
Age recommendation: 3+
Booking: Aug 11-Sept 3
The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse, Unicorn Theatre
In a nutshell: This dark comic fairy tale, based on Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s subversive picture book, is back at the Unicorn, once again featuring the adventures of a duck and a mouse in the belly of a wolf – and an unusual friendship.
Age recommendation: 3+
Booking: Nov 17-Dec 31
The Smeds and the Smoos, Lyric Theatre
In a nutshell: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book – a sort of child-friendly Romeo and Juliet with space travel and a happy ending – becomes an inventive, engaging stage show, adapted by Tall Stories.
Age recommendation: 3+
Booking until: Sept 3
The Smartest Giant in Town, St Martin’s Theatre
In a nutshell: Another successful page-to-stage transfer of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, this musical and puppetry adaptation is all about friendship and benevolence: perfect for Christmas.
Age recommendation: 2+
Booking: Dec 2-Jan 7, 2024
The best shows for 6-10 year olds
Hairy, Polka Theatre
In a nutshell: This raucous new production created by comedy theatre company Spymonkey especially for young audiences untangles everything to do with hair – along with clowning and original music.
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Aug 20
The SpongeBob Musical, Southbank Centre
In a nutshell: “Silly, heartfelt and charming, it has infectious songs written by an array of top music talent – from Aerosmith to Lady Antebellum to Cyndi Lauper.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Aug 26
The Wizard of Oz, London Palladium
In a nutshell: “The time-honoured appeal of L Frank Baum’s story carries the day… There’s plenty of appealing zest from Louis Gaunt, Ashley Banjo and Jason Manford as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Sept 3
Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors, Garrick Theatre
In a nutshell: The enjoyably grisly book series (“history with the nasty bits left in”) has proven just as effective as family-friendly theatre – plus it’s sneakily educational. This production features evil Elizabeth, Henry’s headless wives, and Bloody Mary.
Age recommendation: 5+
Booking until: Sept 3
The Bolds, Unicorn Theatre
In a nutshell: Julian Clary’s popular stage adaptation of his bestseller, about a family of hyenas living in disguise, returns to the Unicorn for Christmas. Expect songs, secrets and wild laughter.
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking: Nov 11-Dec 31
Frozen the Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
In a nutshell: “The show details the growing chasm of estrangement between the siblings and between Elsa and her inner self: witness the meltingly lovely, achingly mournful ballad about repression, Dangerous to Dream.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Jan 7, 2024
The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
In a nutshell: “Watching the show alongside my rapt children, I was struck by how much it succeeds in speaking to the heart rather than the head… A deeply felt celebration of life.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Feb 11, 2024
Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre
In a nutshell: “Thanks to video and illusionist wizardry, the steam-spouting DeLorean skids into view from nowhere and takes off over the stalls, achieving a kind of 3D Hollywood magic… A feelgood triumph.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Feb 11, 2024
Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre
In a nutshell: Bride-to-be Sophie invites three of her mother’s exes to her wedding (on a fantasy Greek island) in hopes of meeting her biological father. Take a chance on this ABBA-tastic show, which features all of the band’s big hits.
Age recommendation: 5+
Booking until: Mar 2, 2024
Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre
In a nutshell: “Never doubt I love Mrs Doubtfire, the feelgood but not fluffy-minded musical that has pitched up at the newly made-over Shaftesbury Theatre… A sure-fire hit, my dears.” Read the full review
Booking until: Jun 2, 2024
Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre
In a nutshell: “Matthew Warchus’s thrilling, warm-hearted production, exuberantly designed by Rob Howell and with pin-sharp choreography by Peter Darling, constantly combines comedy with a sense of wonder.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 6+
Booking until: Dec 15, 2024
The best shows for 10-17 year olds
Heathers the Musical, The Other Palace
In a nutshell: “It sends you on a psychological roller-coaster, lurching between sincerity and insincerity, triviality and profundity, challenging you to gag or guffaw at the runaway, rebellious bad taste of it all.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 14+
Booking until: Sept 3
Grease, Dominion Theatre
In a nutshell: “The evening abounds with infectious delight, above all in We Go Together, which has the amiable delinquents building a dance sequence; it’s silly and sweetly affecting. Just right for the summer.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 7+
Booking until: Oct 28
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Noel Coward Theatre
In a nutshell: “Young and old alike will be entranced by this illusion-packed Neil Gaiman adaptation… This is British theatre at full gut-busting tilt and at its gob-smacking best.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 12+
Booking: Oct 11-Nov 25
Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
In a nutshell: “The exposing of the dark, corrupt heart of Oz and the trumpeting of the need for tolerance strikes a chord. Beneath the glitter there’s an important story.” Read the full article
Age recommendation: 7+
Booking until: Jan 7, 2024
Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre
In a nutshell: “Nicholas Hytner’s box of tricks, the Bridge, unleashes the show all around you if you’re one of the 380 punters standing in the thick of it… It’s an extravaganza that explodes every which way.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: All ages (under-16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult if buying immersive standing tickets)
Booking until: Feb 24, 2024
Les Miserables, Sondheim Theatre
In a nutshell: “In its density and epic ambition, its mixture of high-powered ideas and gut-wrenching emotions, it’s a show that feels lastingly revolutionary.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 7+
Booking until: Mar 2, 2024
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre
In a nutshell: “British theatre hasn’t known anything like it for decades and I haven’t seen anything directly comparable in all my reviewing days… It raises the benchmark for family entertainment.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 10+
Booking until: Mar 3, 2024
The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre
In a nutshell: “Boy does it hit the funny bone. The audience is bludgeoned with a succession of sight gags, mistimed lines, misplaced props and collapsing scenery that creates a rising tide of hysteria.” Read the full review
Age recommendation: 8+
Booking until: Apr 28, 2024
Six, Vaudeville Theatre
In a nutshell: “Six is a marvellous show, dripping with invention and intelligence, and one which brings not just happiness in the moment but hope for the future of the British musical.”
Age recommendation: 10+
Booking until: Apr 28, 2024
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre
In a nutshell: Netflix’s nostalgic sci-fi mega-hit comes to the stage, in a new story set in the world of 1950s Hawkins co-written by Jack Thorne and directed by Stephen Daldry.
Booking: Nov 17-Jun 30, 2024
Frequently asked questions
Can children go to all theatres in London?
Most West End shows are suitable for people aged 12 or older. Some productions might have material that is too mature for younger theatregoers. However, there are also fantastic family shows which are appropriate for all ages, or which are specifically aimed at kids – including shorter children’s shows with elements like puppetry and singalongs.
We have included the official production age recommendations with all of our London show picks on this page, but you can always consult the theatre in question for further information to ensure the show is suitable for your children. Find the best deals on London family shows at Telegraph Tickets.
Can I take a 1 or 2 year old to the theatre?
The majority of London theatre shows are aimed at kids from ages 3 upwards at least. The longer running times, and elements like busy lighting and sound design, plus more mature material, probably won’t suit 1 or 2 year olds. Most productions recommend that 3 year olds or older should attend.
However, there are some London plays and musicals for 1 or 2 year olds. For example, children’s theatres like the Polka Theatre, Half Moon Theatre, Unicorn Theatre and Little Angel Theatre host productions aimed at very young children, as well as fun interactive workshops. Find all the latest recommendations for London kids shows and more at Telegraph Theatre.
Are children booster seats available?
Some, though not all, theatres provide booster seats – for example, Nederlander theatres (which includes the Dominion Theatre, Aldwych Theatre and Adelphi Theatre) rent booster seats for £1 if you ask a member of staff. They also provide booster cushions, available on a first come, first served basis. Some venues will also have height restrictions so that patrons sitting behind you can still see. If you want to check ahead of time about booster seats, contact the theatre box office.
Is there storage available for my stroller?
That depends on whether the theatre has a cloakroom where you can store large items, like suitcases and strollers (usually for a small charge, around £1 or £2). This does vary across different venues, so it’s worth contacting the theatre ahead of time to check. In most cases, the cloakroom will open about 45 minutes before the show begins, and you can store items for the duration of the show.
Can I bring my own snacks and drinks into the the theatre?
Some theatres, especially in the West End, won’t allow you to bring your own snacks and drinks in, unless it’s something like a sealed bottle of water. That’s because they sell food and drink in the theatre and that’s part of how they bring in revenue. If you have concerns about dietary requirements, you can contact the theatre beforehand to make arrangements. Plus it’s part of the fun of a theatre outing, treating yourself and your kids to a drink or an interval ice cream.
Are there frequent breaks throughout the duration of a performance?
If it’s a show for a general audience, there will usually be one interval of around 15 minutes; really long shows might have two intervals. Very occasionally a show won’t have an interval at all. You can find that information on Telegraph Tickets and other booking or theatre websites, or check with the box office. Most shows designed specifically for younger audiences will have short running times, like an hour or less. However, if you need to exit the theatre more frequently, for example for a toilet break, child-friendly venues will tend to be more relaxed about that – perhaps try to book near the end of a row so you don’t disrupt other audience members when coming and going.
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