Best kids theatre shows you must see in London in 2026

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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 Gruffalo, from £13
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, from £17.50
My Neighbour Totoro, from £18
Back to the Future, from £23
Matilda the Musical, from £24
Paddington the Musical, from £28
Wicked, from £28.25
Dog Man: The Musical Tickets, from £33
The Lion King, from £34
Six the Musical, from £34.50
Hercules, from £35.50

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: Ongoing

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.

The Gruffalo

Age best suited for: 3+

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Dates running for: 17th July - 6th September 2026

Julia Donaldson's beloved book comes to life in London this summer. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood as he hears the terrifying descriptions of a creature with terrible teeth, and terrible jaws...

Buy The Gruffalo tickets from £13 at London Theatre Direct

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?

My Neighbour Totoro

Age best suited for: 6+

Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre

Dates running for: Until 30th August 2026

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.

Paddington the Musical

Age best suited for: 6+

Venue: Savoy Theatre

Dates running for: Ongoing (sold out until April 2026)

Following the story of the first Paddington film, it sees the young bear migrate from the Peruvian jungle in search of a home in London, where he is found and taken in by the kind Brown family. While Paddington causes havoc at their home in Windsor Gardens, a troubled taxidermist is desperate to get her hands on him and finish her collection.

Buy Paddington the Musical tickets from £28 at LOVETheatre

Back to the Future

Age best suited for: 6+

Venue: Adelphi Theatre

Dates running for: Until 12th April 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.

Disney's The Lion King

best west end shows — GettyImages/Ralf-Finn Hestoft

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.

Dog Man: The Musical Tickets

poster for Dog Man the Musical — London Theatre Direct

Age best suited for: 5+

Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Dates running for: 29th July - 16th August 2026

Dav Pilkey’s beloved books Dog Man: The Musical plays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre for a strictly limited run.

Buy Dog Man: The Musical Tickets from £33 at London Theatre Direct

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.

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 for under threes tend to pop up around Christmas and Easter.

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 the best uk concerts and tours.