London theatre for toddlers and young children

What is it? Returning for a fresh run having premiered at the Uniorn back in 2019, Anansi the Spider is a funny and beguiling trio of tales concerning the beloved trickster arachnid of West African folklore.

Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.

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? The Unicorn Theatre’s baby-friendly long-runner is back for another year. Scrunch is a show about baby's first Christmas, where there's a ring at the door and some excitingly scrunchy paper to crumple. A sensory offering strictly aimed at babies aged 6-18 months.

Where is it? Unicorn 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? 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.

What it is? This pocket-sized musical is a pantomime in all but name: a cheery, cheesy modernised adaptation of a fairy story with ditties by venerable Brit songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. A pleasant experience for ages three-plus.

Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.

What is it? Well Done, Mummy Penguin is an adaptation of idiosyncratic kids’ author and illustrator Chris Haughton’s latest sweet-but-droll picture book, which concerns the aforementioned Mummy Penguin’s hazardous efforts to score a fish for her partner and child, who are looking on nervously. It’s aimed at ages three to seven.

Where is it? Polka Theatre.

What is it? Michael Rosen’s rhythmic tale about a family which goes looking for bears is addictively popular with tots. And it's very nicely adapted here by a sweet-throated troupe of Little Angel puppeteers, in whose hands it’s become a charming, slightly alarming Saturday dad disaster story with additional folk songs.

Where is it? Little Angel Theatre

What is it? Back for a fresh run, WOW! Said the Owl follows a curious owl as she stays awake during the daytime to discover a brand new world of colours. Using a blend of story-telling, puppetry and music this venerable Little Angel production brings Tim Hopgood's book to life. For two-to-five-year-olds.

Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.