Hello – I'm Time Out’s theatre editor and also a parent, something that has a lot of overlap in London, a city with three dedicated kids theatres and where pretty much every other theatre might stage a child-friendly show.
This round up focusses 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 primary school 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.
What is it? The National Theatre’s big family Christmas show is a return for last year’s sumptuous adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic 1936 children’s novel Ballet Shoes. Following a trio of orphaned sisters left to fend for themselves when their eccentric ‘uncle’ disappears, it’s slick, classy and meticulously directed by Katy Rudd.
Where is it? National Theatre, Olivier.
What is it? Paul Hilton will play Ebeneezer Scrooge in the Old Vic’s beloved, more jolly than scary Christmas Carol, which returns for its ninth and – due to a change of creative team at the theatre – presumably final year. For ages eight plus.
Where is it? Old Vic.
What is it? Disney’s big new West End musical is an enjoyable, undemanding adpatation of its beloved 1997 Greek mythology-rooted cartoon film.
Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
What is it? It’s the lavish new stage adaptation of the first of Suzanne Collins’s blockbuster YA dystopias. To be absolutely clear they’re YA novels with quite a lot of violence and the age advice for the stage show is a loose 12-plus – but it’s a rare ‘proper’ teen show on the London stage.
Where is it? Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.
What is it? Nothing prepares you for the sheer impact of The Lion King's opening sequence: the absurdly successful Disney musical may have been around for decades, but there’s a good reason why the film adapation has become the most successful musical of all time.
Where is it? Lyceum Theatre.
What is it? Matthew Warchus's RSC production of Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin’s Roald Dahl adaptation remains a treat – the best new British West End musical of the twenty-first century.
Where is it? Cambridge Theatre.
What is it? While super-producer Cameron Mackistosh still has breath in his body we’ll never be too far from the next revival of Lionel Bart’s all-singing Dickens adaptation Oliver!. Fifteen years after the last, it’s back in new guise in a Matthew Bourne directed production that premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre back in the summer to reviews that praised it as comfortingly nostalgic rather than doing anything particularly bold.
Where is it? Gielgud Theatre.
What is it? The Paddington supremacy continues, as the polite Peruvian bear bags himself a big splashy West End musical. West End super-producer Sonia Friedman has done the honours, assembling a crack team headed by playwright Jessica Swale doing the book and kids’ author and McFly member Tom Fletcher on songs, all directed by Luke Sheppard, who did such a good job with the smash revival of Starlight Express.
Where is it? Savoy Theatre.
What is it? 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…
Where is it? Troubadour Wembley Park.
What is it? The Unicorn’s half-term show comes from French circus company Le Cirque Content Pour Peu and follows the confused misadventures of a pair of very confused acrobats, whose well-oiled routine quickly collapses into disaster. For ages four to ten.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? A brand new stage version of Philip Pullman’s much adapted, popular-in-schools kids’ novella about Lila, a young girl who desperately wants to be a firework-maker, and goes on an epic adventure to prive she’s up for it despite the considerabel scepticism of her father, who argues it’s no job for women. For ages six to 12.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? Musical adaptation of Maz Evans’ kids’ novel about Elliot Hooper, a young man with a sick mum, whose already difficult existance is complicated when the pantheon of Greek gods gate crash his life. Evans adapts and writes lyrics for the show herself, while music comes from Luke Bateman and it’s directed by Ria Parry. Aimed at ages eight to 13.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? After delighting kids (and making grown-ups cry) with wistful kids' show The Paper Dolls, Peter Glanville is adapting another Julia Donaldson picture book. This time, it's the turn of The Everywhere Bear, which follows the titular teddy on his adventures using rhyme, puppets and new songs. Ages three-to-six.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.
What is it? Tall Stories' musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning sequel to 'The Gruffalo' is packed with inventive storytelling, energy and furry jumpsuits from the cast of three. Ages three-plus.
Where is it? Lyric Theatre.
What is it? This splendid 2D cardboard puppet adpatation of Jon Klassen’s droll trilogy of children’s books about animals battling it out over discarded headgear is a pure delight and it’s wonderful to have it back.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.
What is it? ‘Me…’, is a charmfest that’s unlikely to upset even the most lily-livered pre-schooler. Featuring a cute bundle of day-old penguin fluff and an icy antarctic environment shaped like a half pipe, it is simple, short and sweet. In a series of gymnastic scenes, baby penguin discovers that the sea is deep, the world is large, and she is small. And that’s about the size of it.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre
What is it? Running at the Polka over half-term, this cute show for ages three to seven follows Ruby, a young girl who discovers a worry and then can’t get rid of it, no matter how hard she tried. But a new friend – who also has a worry – might very well be the solution… Hannah Stone directs this adaptation of Tom Percival’s book.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? The Polka’s 2025 Christmas show for younger children is a sweet-sounding number adapted from a Benji Davies picturebook that follows a girl, her dad and – of course – a snowflake as they try to find the places they belong. It’s aimed at children ages three to six.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? A fussy squirrel tries to remember where it buried its prize nut collection in this cute puppet-driven show for young kids aged six months to four years. Written by Kate Cross and Tim Bell, who directs.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? Returning to the 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.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.
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