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Bear Snores On, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, 2024
Photo: Marc Brenner

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

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's 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 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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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.

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

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Regent’s Park
  • Recommended

For the first time in its 92-year history, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has opened its doors in March. And it’s absolutely worth it…

  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Canonbury

This intriguing mini-musical is aimed at an older-than-usual Little Angel audience (ages ten-plus) and relocates various figures from Greek mythology to an American high school-style setting. Combining knitted puppets and punk rock tunes, ‘Medusa’s First Kiss’ is by Holly Mallett and P Burton-Morgan, it’s billed as ‘Percy Jackson meets Heartstopper’.

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  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Tower Bridge

Similar to the National Theatre’s recent version, this tweenage-directed take on Homer’s immortal epic poem moves the focus away from Odysseus and on to his son Telemachus, who has waited 20 years to meet his dad Odysseus and decides to trace his footsteps to the strains of a ’60s-inspired score. 

Theatre for babies and pre-schoolers

  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Tower Bridge

Cabaret legend Le Gateau Chocolat follows up his previous kids’ smash ‘Duckie’ with a new one-man musical about fairy tales, hopes, dreams and consequences. Le Gateau performs ‘I Wish’, which is directed by new Unicorn Theatre boss Rachel Bagshaw and with lyrics by the gloriously mischievous Seiriol Davies. For ages three-to-seven.

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  • Theatre
  • Children's
  • Wimbledon

Three hungry goats face off against one grumpy troll in this stage version of the beloved fable from Hiccup Theatre. Ages 3-7.

New theatre this month

Encore

See the brightest stars on stage with Time Out

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