It’s never too early to introduce children to the joy of live performance.
A trip to the theatre is something all children love, and London is positively packed with amazing shows and plays for young audiences. From award-winning musicals and hit comedies, to family-friendly theatre workshops and sessions at some of the city’s most iconic venues, there is something to suit everyone.
Here are some of our top picks for children’s theatre in London to book this spring and summer.
1. Winnie the Pooh The Musical
After a hugely successful US Tour, Winnie the Pooh the Musical has arrived in London. Based on JM Barrie’s classic tale first written in 1926, the adorable stage adaptation from Disney features all the iconic characters as seen in the famous movies. Little ones will meet Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin along with their best friends; Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Tiger and Owl in this lovely show featuring the Sherman Brothers’ classic, Grammy Award-winning musical. Children will love watching the life-sized puppets in this brand-new story of adventure and fun in the Hundred Acre Wood.
2. Cinderella and Storytelling at the Royal Albert Hall
When we think of the Royal Albert Hall, grand concerts and classical music spring to mind, not child friendly performances. But they have a fantastic range of shows and events for families, too. The regular Storytelling and Music Sessions are run by seasoned storytellers Paul Rubinstein and Becky Dixon, and are perfect for both babies and toddlers, aiming to encourage little ones to engage and interact with musical instruments, singing and stories. These fun, theatrical sessions take place in the Door 3 Porch, one of the many smaller spaces beyond the iconic main stage and offer a wonderful way for very young children to experience the joy of theatre in a relaxed setting. Older children will enjoy the English National Ballet’s enchanting performance of Cinderella in June: returning to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 2019, there will be just 14 performances featuring over 90 dancers, a live orchestra, and a magnificent set.
3. The Wizard of Oz Musical
One of the most exciting new shows to hit the West End this year, The Wizard of Oz Musical is a must-see when it arrives at the London Palladium this June. Featuring the stunning original score from the Oscar-winning film including, Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See The Wizard, plus new music from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, both kids and grown-ups will love this stage adaptation. Expect to see the characters and stories you know well with an updated and exciting spin for those discovering this classic for the first time.
4. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
This fantastic outdoor theatre remains a firm favourite every spring and summer and this season’s line-up will keep everyone entertained. Younger children will be enthralled by Dinosaur World Live. With amazing puppetry, this immersive theatre experience introduces kids to a prehistoric world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, alongside a Triceratops and a Segnosaurus. There will also be a meet and greet on the theatre lawn after the show, allowing brave little visitors to see the dinosaurs close up. Older kids (from eight upwards) will enjoy Robin Hood the Legend Rewritten, an adventurous take on the well-known tale. With an on-site cafe and lovely lawns to relax on, a trip to this open air auditorium is a wonderful day out.
5. The Globe Theatre
The family workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe are so much more than just a trip to the theatre. Running regularly throughout the year, these fun sessions focus on some of the Bard’s most famous plays including The Tempest and Macbeth. The day starts by looking around the famous auditorium and discovering the history of Shakespeare’s London and the theatrical world he created. Next you will be taken to one of the rehearsal rooms to take part in an interactive workshop led by one of the Globe’s highly-experienced team – including actors, teachers and directors. These sessions feature a range of activities and games designed to draw out elements of language, characters and themes in a way that kids can grasp and enjoy. An innovative and thought-provoking way to introduce Shakespeare to youngsters.
6. Mrs Doubtfire Musical
If you loved the hilarious movie starring Robin Williams, you are bound to enjoy the new stage adaptation of Mrs Doubtfire. The family-favourite arrives at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End this May and features all the wonderfully funny scenes from the film, but this time set to music. Following on from the success of the likes of Back to the Future the Musical, this comedy is set to be a hit with kids of all ages as it brings the best of the movie to life.
7. The Polka Theatre
The marvellous Polka Theatre is one of the few venues in the UK entirely dedicated to presenting productions aimed at children aged 0 to 12, with over 100,000 young people visiting every year. The 2023 spring-summer season is set to be one of the best yet, with a huge selection of shows including Julia Donaldson’s The Singing Mermaid, a story about a young mermaid who joins the Circus as well as the magical tale, The Lost Spells, which tells the story of a little girl who finds a special book and the wonderful creatures that appear from it. There’s something for all ages at The Polka as they continue to wow with clever and enthralling theatre.
8. The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen
This award-winning family-friendly improvised, storytelling comedy show at New Wimbledon Theatre promises swords, duels, elephants, castles built of cheese. The show is full of entertainment featuring duels and elephants and castles built of cheese, and all of it is completely and irrefutably true. Discover how the Baron invented Morris dancing, how his actions saved the Isle of Skye from sinking beneath the waves, why every fourth child in Bruges is named after him and other fantastical stories. Tickets start from £11.
9. We Touch, We Play, We Dance
In Second Hand Dance’s We Touch, We Play, We Dance, four dancers weave around the space, inviting babies and children under three years of age to join them in a warm-hearted and playful performance.
With music mixed live by a DJ, the dancers respond to the children, guiding them through an engaging show full of surprises, high fives, hugs and dancing. Audiences can choose whether to listen and watch or let loose and join in.
The 10.30 am performances are gentler and for babies aged 0-18 months; the 2 pm performances are more energetic and suitable for 12 months to 3 years.
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