Hello – I'm Time Out’s theatre editor and also a parent, something that has considerable overlap in London, a city with three dedicated kids theatres and where pretty much every other theatre might play host to a child-friendly show.
Listing everything would be a slightly psychotic undertaking and probably not that illuminating, as many kids’ shows are only on for a day or two. So instead this round up forcusses 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 school-age 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? Adapted direct from Dodie Smith’s 1956 kids’ book – ie, absolute not a Disney production – 101 Dalmatians it’s the first ever original musical from the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and this summer it transfers to London with Sydnie Christmas as scenery chewing villain Cruella de Vil.
Where is it? Hammersmith Apollo.
What is it? Hercules is a fascinating choice of Disney film for the megacorp to adapt as its new stage musical: the original 1997 source movie is one of the most obscure of its blockbuster ’90s. Still, the Disney name plus that of the Greek demigod himself is doubtless brand recognition enough to draw a crowd, and moreover word from the German debut of Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah’s adaptation – with songs by Alan Menken and David Zippel – is that it’s very good.
Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
What is it? The stage versions of Terry’s Deary’s enormously successful ‘Horrible Histories’ franchise take to the high seas (well, river) with ‘Terrible Thames’. It’s an enjoyable hour-long clipper tour that forgoes humdrum observations about London’s great waterway and instead focussed on the darker stuff.
Where it? Sailings start and finish at Tower Bridge Quay.
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? This redirected touring revival of Sally Cookson’s ecstatic, paganistic adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic is back for 2025, calling in for a few weeks at Sadler’s Wells.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells.
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? This short musical romp through the (after)lives of Henry VIII’s six wives is perfect for adults and secondary school kids alike.
Where is it? Vaudeville 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? Summer is always a relatively quiet time for London’s children’s theatres, but Polka does have one big flagship show this summer: The Boy with Wings, an adaptation of Sir Lenny Henry’s kids’ novel about Tunde, a boy who sprouts wings and shortly therafter discovers that his dad is a ferocious alien warrior. Adapted by writer Arvind Ethan David and directed by heavyweight rising star Daniel Bailey in a co-production with Birmingham Rep, it’s substantial – and fun! – looking show for kids aged seven to 12.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? Birmingham Stage Company’s theatrical versions of Terry Deary’s lurid history books have now been kicking around for 20 years now, and as a celebration they’ve cobbled together a new Barmy Britain show that’s a compliation of the best bits of all the many, many other Barmy Britain shows. Expect a barrage of lurid facts on everyone from Boudica to Burke and Hare.
Where is it? Apollo Theatre.
What is it? This new show from the Little Angel is an adaptation of Joseph Coelho’s book Overheard in a Tower Block, a collection of poems about a young boy growing up in a huge urban tower block. Little Angel boss Samantha Lane directs a show for ages seven and above (also suited to adults).
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.
What is it? This project from the team behind the Globe’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ spin-off ‘Midsummer Mechanicals’ is another play for kids loosely based on a work of Shakespeare, in this case ‘Macbeth’, catching up with the weird sisters some time after the events of the gory tragedy.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
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? 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.
October is arguably the peak month of the London theatre calendar, with all the big shows that’ll be running until Christmas getting underway…
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