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The Lion King musical.
Photograph: Deen van Meer / ©Disney

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
Edited by
Andrzej Lukowski
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It's never to early to introduce kids to the magic of theatre: there are literally shows for babies. But if your kids are a bit older than that, don’t worry: London kids theatre is bursting with shows that'll delight junior audiences of all sorts. There are gentle puppet shows for toddlers. Bright and shiny, song-stuffed adventures for young kids. Smart dramas that are sure to hold teenagers rapt. And spectacular musicals that are perfect for the whole family (or just adults looking for a great night out)

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:
101 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

The Lion King
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Theatre
  • Musicals
  • Covent Garden
  • Recommended

Nothing prepares you for the sheer impact of 'The Lion King's opening sequence…

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  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Soho

Beloved by David Blaine and with a ‘Sesame Street’ performance under his belt, New Yorker Mario’s tried, tested and thoroughly delightful mix of magic and handmade robots is a guaranteed winner with small audiences. 

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

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

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  • Theatre
  • Drama
  • Regent’s Park

The Open Air Theatre is going big on family-friendly shows this summer, with a major new adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s novel about spoiled ten-year-old Mary Lennox, who is abruptly sent to live in rural Yorkshire with an uncle she’s never met, where she finds solace in nature. 

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

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

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  • Theatre
  • Drama
  • Covent Garden

This stunning-looking Japanese adaptation of the Studio Ghibli classic is probably a touch more frightening than the RSC’s recent ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, but official age advice is a reasonably lenient seven-plus.

Theatre for primary school children and older

  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Canonbury

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.

Prince Charming
  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Islington

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.

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  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Wimbledon

Stage adpatation for ages six to 12 of Kevin and Katie Tsang’s best-selling book about a scaredy cat child forced to confront some alarming situations. In Julie Tsang’s theatre version, a trip to the Science Museum gone terribly wrong leads to Sam having to prove his mettle as a space explorer.

Theatre for babies and pre-schoolers

  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Wimbledon

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.

  • Theatre
  • Children's

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.

New theatre this month

Encore

See the brightest stars on stage with Time Out

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