London theatre for toddlers and young children

What is it? Sweetly experimental theatre company Little Bulb dusts off this show about an eccentric explorer who encounters a succession of very strange creatures while exploring Antarctica.

Where is it? Polka Theatre.

What is it? The Unicorn teams up with Tawala Theatre for one of its sporadic shows for the very young.  Home Song is aimed at children – babies really – aged six months to 18 months, and is a multi-sensory show that follows Adwoa and her mum as they explore the true meaning of home. Expecting singing and general loveliness in a show that will inevitably be more impressionistic than narrative driven.

Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.

What is it? This adorable show about a single dad penguin doing his best to look after his chick in the face of some mild Antarctic peril returns to the Unicorn for the Christmas season.

Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.

What is it? The team behind the Little Angel’s most recent breakout hit The Smartest Giant in Town reunite to tackle Axel Scheffler’s sweet Pip and Posy picturebooks and their well-known cartoon incarnation. Written and directed by Samantha Lane – with songs by Barb Jungr – the animal duo’s stgae adventure sees rabbit Pip and mouse Posy go on a thrilling journey through jungles, swamps and clouds. For ages two-to-five.

Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.

What is it? A seasonal staple at the Lyric Hammersmith for well over a decade now, this charming adaptation of the other big Raymond Briggs Christmas story is back again.

Where is it? Lyric Hammersmith.

What is it? A witch soars across the skies – and picks up a few animal pals along the way – in this adaptation of the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer. It's created by Tall Stories, who've created a host of loveable stagings of storybook favourites, and uses their typical combo of sing-a-longs, puppetry, and quirky humour. Ages three-to-eight.

Where is it? Rose Theatre Kingston.

What is it? It’s the night before Christmas and Scruff the puppy can’t sleep: he’s worried he hasn’t got the perfect gift for his owner. Can you help him find one? Sure you can in this short, sweet, heavily interactive festive show for ages three to eight.

Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.

What is it? Seen at the Polka Theatre last Christmas and now transferring to the Little Angel for 2026, this festive 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? Little Angel Theatre Studios.

What is it? Musical adaptation of Ximo Abadia’s quirky kids’ picturebook about a donkey named Toto with grand ideas of being an astronaut. Adapted by Harry Blake and directed by Jennifer Tang, it‘s aimed at kids aged three-to-eight.

Where is it? Polka Theatre.