Soft or Spiky?, Polka Theatre, 2024
Photo: Polka Theatre
Photo: Polka Theatre

Children’s theatre in London: the best shows for kids of all ages

From tiny tots to older kids, we've got your next family theatre trip covered with the best children’s theatre in London

Andrzej Lukowski
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Hello – I'm Time Out’s theatre editor and also a parent, something that has considerable overlap in London, a city with three dedicated kids theatres and where pretty much every other theatre might play host to a child-friendly show.

Listing everything would be a slightly psychotic undertaking and probably not that illuminating, as many kids’ shows are only on for a day or two. So instead this round up forcusses on the flagship shows at London’s kids theatres – that’s the Little Angel, the Unicorn and Polka – plus other major shows aimed at or suitable for youngsters.

On the whole, pre-school and primary children are the age groups best served specifically, because secondary school aged teenagers can generally see adult theatre perfectly well (and will indeed often be made to do so!). So while the odd teen focussed show will make it in here, if you’re looking for something to do with teens why not consult our reviews page or what to book list.

Our London kids’ theatre page normally contains information for all the main children’s shows running in London theatres this month and next month, and is broken down into three categories.

Theatre for all the family is suitable for any age, including adults without children.

Theatre for older children is specifically aimed at school-age children and teenagers.

Theatre for babies, pre-schoolers and younger children does what the title suggests, and also includes shows suitable for younger school-age children.

See also:
50 things to do in London with kids.
The best child-friendly restaurants in London.
The top 9 museums in London for kids.

Theatre for all the family

  • Musicals
  • Seven Dials
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Matilda the Musical
Matilda the Musical

Matthew Warchus's RSC production of Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin’s Roald Dahl adaptation remains a treat.

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  • Musicals
  • Strand
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Six the Musical
Six the Musical

This short musical romp through the (after)lives of Henry VIII’s six wives is perfect for adults and secondary school kids alike.

  • Musicals
  • Wembley
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Quite possibly the most aggressively ‘80s artefact in existence, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Starlight Express’ is a musical about anthropomorphic roller skating trains that often feels like being forced to watch ten consecutive episodes of some trashy Saturday morning action cartoon…

Theatre for primary school children and older

  • Children's
  • Canonbury

The Little Angel is turned into an interactive gameshow-slash-murder mystery for kids in this intriguing new show from Danyah Miller, creator of West End children’s hit ‘I Believe In Unicorns’. The ‘spontaneous storytelling show” is aimed at ages six and above.

  • Children's
  • Tower Bridge

Tim Crouch’s boundary-pushing solo shows exploring the very nature of theatre are, of course, good and important. But the avant-garde theatrical leading light also does a great line in more accessible kids theatre, as evidenced by his lovely 2018 Unicorn play ‘Beginners’.

Not to say they lack imagination. ‘Toto Kerblammo!’ will see its audience don headphones to experience the adventures of Effy, a young girl sent to live with her aunt and uncle in a building that doesn’t allow dogs. But what to do with her, er, dog, then? 

Promising to help you ‘discover the sound of things you never knew had sounds’, ‘Toto Kerblammo!’ is aimed at children aged nine and above.

Theatre for babies and pre-schoolers

  • Children's
  • Islington
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

This review is from 2012. ‘Dogs Don’t Do Ballet’ returns for autumn 2024.

This is one children's show where the adults are guaranteed to laugh as hard as the kids (and probably more). Little Angel's latest production tells the superbly silly and at times wonderfully surreal story of ballet-mad mutt, Biff, whose dream is to become a ballerina and dance alongside his owner, the similarly ballet-smitten Anna.

But as Anna's dad, played with enjoyably no-nonsense bluff by Andrea Sadler, insists on telling us: 'Dogs don't do ballet!' It is a view shared by Anna's irrepressible ballet teacher (Ronnie Le Drew), whose Edna Everage-like gusto provokes much hilarity amongst the audience.

Biff sets out to prove them all wrong and inspired by a highly comical dream sequence that's a mix between 'Fantasia' and 'Scooby Doo' he sets off to fulfill his dream. Le Drew and Sadler bring the puppet and non-puppet roles to life impressively, and much of the set and many of the puppets are exquisite and cleverly designed.

This is a rollicking romp of a show that also manages to subtly pose questions about difference and stereotyping. It's also probably the only place you'll get to watch a dog in a pink tutu dance to Swan Lake this Christmas.

  • Children's
  • South Bank

There’s plenty of theatre for kids running over this October half term, but here’s something very special for half-term week only. Children’s theatre company Tall Stories – best known for their blockbuster Julia Donaldson adaptations – will be adapting the adventures of David McKee’s much loved patchwork elephant Elmer. We’ll join a group of adventurers searching the jungle for Elmer – expect song, gentgle interactions, and an all round lovely time for ages three-plus.

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  • Children's
  • Wimbledon

Word up to new-ish parents: the Polka’s Soft or Spiky? is of that fairly rare strain of theatre shows directed at the very young, with a suggested age range of six to 18 months. Essentially closer to a theatricalised version of sensory play than anything with a plot, the show – directed and devised by Daryl Beeton – is an exploration of shapes, sounds, textures and words that’s inspired by conversations with parents at the question ‘what would you ask you child?’. Shows like this don’t come around very often and many a London child has reached 18 months without even having had the chance to go to one, so if you want to get them started on the theatre early, seize your chance.

  • Children's
  • Wimbledon

Originally staged at Little Angel, Matt Aston’s adaptation of Benji Davies kids’ books about the delightful relationship between a young boy, Noi, and the little whale he rescues after a storm heads off on tour, calling at Polka over half-term. Ages four-to-eight.

New theatre this month

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