Children's theatre in London - the best shows for kids of all ages

Actual real-life palaeontologist Dr Jakob Vinther is accompanied by a five-piece band in this gig theatre show exploring the world of dinosaurs via the medium of facts and song. For ages six-to-12, who are encouraged to bring their own dinosaur.

This cute-sounding puppet and projections-based show for kids aged three-to-eight tells the story of Lucian, a city rat who hangs out at Waterloo, dreaming of being a pigeon until one day he goes on a marvellous London adventure. Written by Chloe Stephens (who also directs) and Miles Mitchell, the show is about half an hour in length with each show followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

This musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s picture book  promises to be a lot of fun, bringing Dahl’s tongue-in-cheek but ruthlessly uncosy story about the titular croc’s child-eating exploits to life with the aid of puppets by Toby Olié, who co-directs with Emily Lim. Ages four-plus.

This new kids' musical centres on an anxious prince who can't stop worrying. He's got a kingdom to run but he can hardly get out of bed - until someone comes to his rescue. Ages six-to-11.

A Unicorn Theatre long-runner, Sarah Argent and Kevin Lewis's ‘Baby Show’ is one of London's rare regular theatre experiences for the very young. A light and sound-based sensory experience for ages six-to-18-months, it tends to be very popular and advance booking is advised. Multiple performances take place throughout the day.

Handa is taking a range of seven different types of exotic fruits to a friend – but she soon discovers that seven different types of animal have very different ideas what to do with them. This half-hour show incorporating Swahili rhythms captures the gentle wit of Eileen Browne's popular picture book. Age 2-5.

The immortal fairytale about the extremely high maintainance princess is given a acrobatics-driven makeover from the Unicorn in association with contemporary circus company Upswing. One dark and stormy night a spoiled princess decides to venture out of her castle… you won’t believe what happens next. Theresa Heskins adapts and co-directs (with Vicki Amedune) this show for ages two-plus.

If you’re looking for the definition of an embarrassment of riches, May 2024 in the London theatre calendar really does go above and beyond what could reasonably be expected of a single city to stage in a single month.