Best kids theatre shows you must see in London in 2025
From toddlers to teenagers, there's a ton of family friendly theatre shows going on in London right now.
When the kids are off school and the British weather is predictably drizzly, you can't go wrong with a family trip to the West End.
Whether it's a brand new show about your toddler's favourite character (Bluey, anyone?) or a classic musical with a strong moral message (like the Lion King), the British theatre scene is teeming with great entertainment and child-friendly fun.
So, we've put together this guide to the best kids theatre shows to catch in London and the rest of the UK right now. No matter where you're scattered, we've found the very best musicals, plays and ballets to suit your child.
For each show, we've included the desired age rating, plus a little bit of advice on what kind of performances you should be searching for this spring.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
For our full list of theatre fun, here's the best West End shows. Plus, here's the best immersive dining experiences.
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- Best kids' theatre shows in London at a glance
- Best kids theatre shows you have to see in London this year
Best kids theatre shows in London at a glance
- The Smeds and the Smoos, £11.60
- Six the Musical, £39
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, £17.40
- Matilda the Musical, £24
- Back to the Future, £23
- Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Five!, £23.40
- Wicked, £28.25
- 101 Dalmatians - The Musical, £29.40
- Hercules, £35.50
- My Neighbour Totoro, £30
- The Lion King, £34
- Peppa Pig's Big Family Show!, £13
- Shakespeare's Rough Magic, £18
- The Enormous Crocodile, £18
- The Stick Man, £30
Best kids theatre shows you have to see in London this year
Disney's Hercules
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Dates running for: Until 10th Jan 2026
What better way to introduce your little ones to the theatre than with an adaptation of a classic Disney movie like Hercules? Following in the footsteps of productions like Disney's The Lion King, Hercules is the latest hit Disney film to land in the West End stage in an all-singing, all-dancing production.
Matilda
Age best suited for: 4+
Venue: Cambridge Theatre
Dates running for: Ongoing
Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel Matilda first got the stage treatment in 2010 from writer Dennis Kelly and Australian comedian-turned-composer Tim Minchin. Now, the show is an absolute hit on the West End featuring hit songs such as Naughty, Revolting Children and When I Grow Up.
The story follows Matilda, an extraordinarily gifted girl who’s underappreciated by her parents, who finds herself at a school run by the dreaded Ms Trunchbull – but what happens when Matilda suddenly realises she’s gifted at more than just maths?
- Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £20 at Matilda the Musical
- Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre
- Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £23 at Today Tix
The Smeds and the Smoos
Age best suited for: All ages
Venue: Lyric Theatre
Dates running for: 17th July 2025 – 7th September 2025
From the author of The Gruffalo comes The Smeds and the Smoos, a happy tale all about star-crossed aliens adapted from an award-winning book. Think of it like Romeo and Juliet for little ones. In this universe, the Smeds and the Smoos cannot be friends. So what happens when a Smed and a Smoo fall in love with each other?
With a running time of around 60 minutes, this is an ideal West End show for younger children to enjoy.
Buy The Smeds and the Smoos tickets from £11.60 at LOVEtheatre
My Neighbour Totoro
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre
Dates running for: Until 2nd November 2025
We admit it's not the most important thing in the world, but when taking little ones to see a theatre show, we'd like to enjoy the performance, too. This Digital Writer went to see My Neighbour Totoro on its second run at the Barbican last summer, and they can confirm it's family-friendly fun for adults, too!
Originally a Studio Ghibli movie, My Neighbour Totoro has been transformed for the stage with a fantastic score and magical puppetry. The play explores the fantasy world of childhood and the power of imagination, and it's sure to be a hit with the kids.
- Buy My Neighbour Totoro tickets from £30 at Headout
- Buy My Neighbour Totoro tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre
Back to the Future
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Adelphi Theatre
Dates running for: Until 3rd January 2026
You can now catch one of the most beloved family movies on stage in London's West End. With jaw-dropping special effects and an energetic rock musical score, your little ones are sure to be blown away by this production.
- Buy Back to the Future tickets from £22.68 at LOVETheatre
- Buy Back to the Future tickets from £23 at TodayTix
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – Part Five!
Age best suited for: 5+
Venue: Apollo Theatre
Dates running for: 31st July 2025 – 30th August 2025
If your little one is a fan of the Horrible Histories franchise, they'll love the Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain – Part Five! production. Historical figures from Boudicca to Guy Fawkes and Queen Victoria will be brought to life with plenty of laughs and, of course, with all of the 'nasty bits' kept in.
Buy Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Five! tickets from £23.40 at Headout
Disney's The Lion King
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Lyceum Theatre
Dates running for: Ongoing
Disney’s The Lion King has been feeling the love from fans since 1999. The classic Disney show features a heart-breaking story, stunning props, and an incredible roster of songs such as Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata and Be Prepared. If you’re looking to get your child into musical theatre, there’s no better way.
- Buy The Lion King tickets from £34 at ATG Tickets
- Buy The Lion King tickets from £35 at TodayTix
- Buy The Lion King tickets from £40.60 at LOVETheatre
101 Dalmatians - The Musical
Age best suited for: 5+
Venue: Eventim Apollo
Dates running for: 18th July 2025 – 31st August 2025
Cruella De Vil might not scare us, but missing out on tickets to take the family to 101 Dalmatians - The Musical certainly does! By now, you probably know the story of the 1961 Disney movie which has been adapted for the stage: menacing fashionista Cruella De Vil has her heart set on a new fur coat made entirely of Dalmatian puppies, and it's down Pongo and Perdi save their young Dalmatians from her clutches.
Buy 101 Dalmatians - The Musical tickets from £29.40 at Headout
Wicked
Age best suited for: 7+
Venue: Apollo Victoria Theatre
Dates running for: Ongoing
Another permanent resident of the West End, Wicked’s influence over theatre fans really does defy gravity, especially since the roaring success of the Wicked movie. Whether your child has seen the Wizard of Oz or not, this play is sure to delight thanks to the power of its story and the performances of its cast. It follows Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, before she received that name, and Glinda, who would later become the Good Witch — but as you’ll soon learn, things are not always as they appear…
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Age best suited for: 10+
Venue: Palace Theatre
Dates running for: Ongoing
Nineteen years on from the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Albus Potter is starting his first year at Hogwarts School – but will he live up to his famous father’s legacy?
With unbelievable visual effects and logic-defying sets, this show will have you believing in magic in no time. Perfect for any little Potterhead or those just looking for a fun day out, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is truly spellbinding.
- Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £17.40 LOVETheatre
- Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £30 at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Play
Peppa Pig's Big Family Show!
Age best suited for: All ages
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket
Dates running for: 5th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Peppa and her friends are back with a brand-new show at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this Christmas, and it's all about the new family arrival. Join Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George as they get the house ready for the big day.
Buy Peppa Pig's Big Family Show! tickets from £13 at London Theatre Direct
Shakespeare's Rough Magic
Age best suited for: 5+
Venue: Globe Theatre
Dates running for: 19th July 2025 – 23rd August 2025
Join the world of the Weird Sisters from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth as they go on a supernaturally silly adventure of their own. Featuring fairies, witches, ghosts and monsters, it's a magical experience for kids and parents.
Buy Shakespeare's Rough Magic for £18 at LOVETheatre
The Enormous Crocodile
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Dates running for: 15th August 2025 – 7th September 2025
Roald Dahl's classic jungle story is back for another summer run at the Open Air Theatre. Join a menagerie of puppets in their quest to escape the snappy croc who is on the hunt for a juicy child.
Buy The Enormous Crocodile tickets for £18 at TodayTix
The Stick Man
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre
Dates running for: 4th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Can the Stick Man make it back to his family for Christmas? There's only one way to find out.
Buy The Stick Man tickets for £30 at London Theatre Direct
Can three-year-olds go to the theatre?
The majority of theatre shows are aimed at children aged three and up, and most don’t even allow infants into the venue. This is due to the long running times, loud sounds and general busyness of productions which may cause some distress to very young children, so unless it is explicitly stated, you should assume that one or two-year-olds won’t be admitted.
Some performances do allow all ages but you should always check what the recommended age is, as your little one may not be at the right point to appreciate it yet – best not to spend money on something they won’t really enjoy. However, if you're determined to start them young, the best productions we’d recommend for under threes at the moment are: The Smeds and the Smoos.
What theatre shows are good for kids?
For young children, the best theatre shows will often include puppetry, music, direct address and audience participation, humour, or an easy-to-follow narrative structure. It’s also always best to go with a show where the runtime isn’t too long and the rhythm is short and sharp.
If you’re worried about taking your child to a mainstream show, there are specific theatre companies aimed at kids like the Unicorn Theatre, Little Angel Theatre and the Polka Theatre. They specialise in bringing theatre to all ages and provide year-round performances across the UK.
What is the most popular musical for kids?
As you can probably expect, the most popular musicals for kids come from Disney and other major movies. Right now, you can catch The Lion King, Hercules and Matilda and more at the West End.
For slightly older children however – we’re thinking 10+ – most of the mainstream musicals will be suitable. You could try Mrs Doubtfire or Back to the Future, for example.
There are also plenty of non-musical performances about which are centred around popular kids’ characters.
Take a look at our full guide of best family days out, plus how to get cheap Chessington tickets and how to get cheap Alton Towers tickets.
