What is it? The seemingly inexhaustible supply of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture books is further mined with a new one from Freckle Productions. The Baddies is one of the duo’s most recent books, dating back to just 2022, and concerns a trio of terrifying beings – a witch, a ghost and a troll – who find themselves stumped by a little girl who isn’t even slightly afraid of them.
Where is it? Cadogan Hall.
What is it? A touch of magic at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush with this official immersive CBeebies theatre adventure for ages zero to six featuring contributions from a host of beloved characters from the pre-school network, ranging from Mr Tumble to Bluey herself.
Where is it? Westfield Shopping Centre.
What is it? Describing CoComelon to a non parent is a bit like trying to describe infinity to a dog, but let’s have a go. CoComelon is a weird American show accessible via Netflix that combines very saccharine, very American versions of nursery rhymes with garishly rudimentary CGI graphics. The individial episodes are freakishly long and by the end you tend to feel like you’re hallucinating, although preschoolers generally seem to enjoy it. This is a live show based on it.
Where is it? St Martin’s Theatre.
What is it? This musical and sensory adventure for the very young – aged 0-36 months – follows a pair of cocky sheep who reckon they know everything about sleep. Only tonight, they can’t actually get to sleep themselves. A half hour show plus 15 minute play session about the frustrations of bedtime from The Herd.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? Dougie Poynter and Tom Fletcher’s The Dinosaur That Pooped series concerns the adventures of young boy Danny and his best pal Dino, a T-rex who eats everything in sight and expels it from his behind in a way that tends to improbably saves the day. This new live show sees the duo go and see their favourite rock band, only to discover their villainous manager is making things difficult. The solution will inevitably involve pooing on things.
Where is it? Alexandra Palace and Rose Theatre Kingston.
What is it? This cute outdoor spin off from A Midsummer Night’s Dream for young kids is part of the Australian Theatre Company’s summer season at beautiful Kew Gardens. In it, four of Oberon and Titania's fairy posse encounter Peter Pan’s pal Tinkerbell. Little audiences are invited to dress up as fairies, pirates or whatever they want; it's performed picnic style, so by all means bring a picnic. For ages three to eight.
Where is it? Kew Gardens.
What is it? Utterly delightful cardboard puppet adaptatioon of Jon Klassen’s wonderous trilogy of darkly comic picture books that kicked off in 2011 with the seminal I Want My Hat Back, in which a dopey bear wanders the forest looking for his missing red party hat, eventually clocking that it has been nicked by a rabbit, which it’s then very strongly implied that the bear goes on to kill and eat.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? This short, gentle show from Little Angel artistic director Samatha Lane tells the story of a quintet of nocturnal animals, and how beauty and friendship can be found even in the depths of the city night. For ages two to five.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studio.
What is it? A return for the Little Angel’s well-worn stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson's 'The Paper Dolls', about a little girl who cuts out a string of paper dolls and takes them on an adventure. There’s a reason it’s lasted so long: London's premiere puppet theatre bring it beautifully to life. Ages 3-7.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.
What is it? Rod puppets, music and songs in a story adapted from one of Aesop's Fables about the adventures of two very different cousins who visit each other, discovering new places and meeting new people along the way. Age 3-8.
Where is it? Puppet Theatre Barge.
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