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Our favourite kids theatre shows you need to see in London this summer
From toddlers to teenagers, there's a ton of family friendly theatre shows going on in London right now.
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- Olivia Garrett
Published: Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at 9:00 am
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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.
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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.
Meet your critics: Olivia & Joanna
Hi! We're Olivia and Joanna, your Radio Times theatre critics who have reviewed more than 60 West End shows between us. While our tastes sometimes differ, we can definitely agree the best musical is Fiddler on the Roof and that Operation Mincemeat is a work of genius. On musical theatre karaoke nights our picks would be A Little Priest from Sweeney Todd (Olivia) and Maybe This Time from Cabaret (Joanna).
Our top 5 kids theatre shows in London
- Best musical: Paddington the Musical, from £28
- Best play: My Neighbour Totoro, from £18
- Best summer show: The Tiger Who Came to Tea, from £12
- Best for toddlers: Unicorn Theatre - Whatever the Weather, from £7.50
- Best for teens: The Hunger Games: On Stage, from £28
Paddington the Musical
– Best musical
Credit: Johan Persson
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Savoy Theatre
When is it on until: Ongoing (sold out until October 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.
Read the full Paddington review here.
Tickets available at:
My Neighbour Totoro
– Best play
Barbican
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre
When is it on until: 10 Jan 2027
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.
Tickets available at:
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
– Best summer show
1585499187 Jack Hall / Contributor via Getty
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket
When is it on until: 5 Sep 2026
Based on Britain’s best-loved picture book by Judith Kerr, the Olivier Award-nominated The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket for Summer 2026. "The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!"
Tickets available at:
Unicorn Theatre - Whatever the Weather
Ellie Kurtzz
Age best suited for: 0+
Venue: Unicorn Theatre
When is it on until: 16 Aug 2026
Whatever the Weather is an immersive playscape experience inviting children and their grown-ups to play creatively together. Get closer to nature and experience rain, snow, sunshine, and more, in this playful, interactive space designed to uncover the wonders of weather and how it shapes our everyday lives. Inspired by ideas from local children, Whatever the Weather is an artist-designed space that celebrates the different ways children naturally play - encouraging families to discover, imagine and explore together.
Tickets available at:
The Hunger Games: On Stage
– Best for teens
Kate Green/Getty Images
Age best suited for: 12+
Venue: Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre
When is it on until: 14 Feb 2027
For those that need reminding, the Hunger Games is set in the dystopian world of Panem, where 12 districts must offer up two tributes every year to compete in a deadly contest known as the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen, our heroine, is thrust into this world when her sister's name is suddenly picked at the Reaping, and she must do anything to survive.
Tickets available at:
More kids theatre shows you have to see in London this year
Disney's Hercules
Johan Persson
Age best suited for: 6+
Venue: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
When is it on until: 5 Sep 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.
Tickets available at:
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo BBC
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Lyric Theatre
When is it on until: 6 Sep 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...
Tickets available at:
Matilda
Matilda The Musical Matilda The Musical
Age best suited for: 4+
Venue: Cambridge Theatre
When is it on until: 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?
Tickets available at:
Disney's The Lion King
GettyImages/Ralf-Finn Hestoft
Age best suited for: 3+
Venue: Lyceum Theatre
When is it on until: 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.
Tickets available at:
Dog Man: The Musical Tickets
London Theatre Direct
Age best suited for: 5+
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
When is it on until: 29 Jul - 16 Aug 2026
Dav Pilkey’s beloved books Dog Man: The Musical plays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre for a strictly limited run. Here's a look at what you're getting in for: "Best friends George and Harold have spent years making comics, and now that they’re ten, they’re ready for their biggest project yet: turning their hero Dog Man into a full-blown musical. How hard can creating a show about a part-dog, part-man, ALL-HERO crime-fighter really be?"
Tickets available at:
Wicked
Wicked
Age best suited for: 7+
Venue: Apollo Victoria Theatre
When is on until: 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…
Tickets available at:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry-Potter-and-the-Cursed-Child-London/Manuel-Harlan
Age best suited for: 10+
Venue: Palace Theatre
When is it on until: 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.
Tickets available at:
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.
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Authors
Olivia Garrett
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