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Kids and Family Shows in London
Give your family and kids the gift of live theatre and see their faces light up as they live and breathe the vivid drama, spectacular acting, singing and dancing. We sell low cost tickets for everything from all-time family favourites that have been running continually for years to brand new shows, comedies, fantasies, celebrity-studded musicals, special children's shows, dance, ballet and classical music performances. There's nothing quite like live entertainment. Whatever your choice, and whatever the occasion, your kids will love visiting one of the West End's beautiful theatres for a big night out.
The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
4.8 7994 reviews 4.8 7994 reviews Tickets from £42.00Disney's The Lion King is an unparalleled West End theatrical experience, bringing the enchanting world of the African savannah to the stage in a mesmerising spectacle for all ages. Adapted from the 1994 animation film, The Lion King has been selling out to audiences for over two decades.
- Booking until: Sunday, 16 May 2027
- Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Lyceum Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 16 May 2027
Now You See Me
London Coliseum
4.3 30 reviews 4.3 30 reviews Tickets from £25.00Inspired by Lionsgate's worldwide blockbuster franchise, Now You See Me, and fresh off a world tour that dazzled audiences across Australia and Singapore, Now You See Me Live is finally coming to the UK. This international stage illusion spectacular features a world-class magic ensemble from around the world, based on the film's Four Horsemen, who enthrall and amaze audiences with their jaw-dropping arsenal of illusion, magic tricks, spectacle, and storytelling.
- Booking until: Sunday, 6 September 2026
- Running time: 2hr. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: London Coliseum
- Booking until: Sunday, 6 September 2026
Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre
4.7 1548 reviews 4.7 1548 reviews Tickets from £24.00Matilda The Musical takes audiences of all ages on an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, heart, and the inspiring tale of a courageous little girl with extraordinary powers. The show has won over 100 international awards since it opened in London in 2011.
- Booking until: Sunday, 5 September 2027
- Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 Intermission.
- Playing at: Cambridge Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 5 September 2027
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Empress Museum
4.8 522 reviews 4.8 522 reviews Tickets from £58.00Loosely based on the 2017 movie everyone loves, Come Alive! - The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is a new London attraction situated in a purpose-built big top. With the finest in musical theatre and extraordinary circus skills, this is one for all the family to enjoy!
- Booking until: Sunday, 11 April 2027
- Running time: 1hr 40min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Empress Museum
- Booking until: Sunday, 11 April 2027
Mamma Mia!
Novello Theatre
4.8 5418 reviews 4.8 5418 reviews Tickets from £18.00The third-longest-running musical in West End history, Mamma Mia! is an irresistibly joyous musical set to ABBA's timeless hits. The show contains 23 of the biggest ABBA hits, including unforgettable hits like "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo" and the title song "Mamma Mia".
- Booking until: Saturday, 13 March 2027
- Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Novello Theatre
- Booking until: Saturday, 13 March 2027
Oliver!
Gielgud Theatre
4.9 469 reviews 4.9 469 reviews Tickets from £24.00Lionel Burt's timeless musical Oliver! is making a triumphant return to the West End this Winter. Bringing Dickens’ classic tale and its unforgettable songs back to life, audiences can look forward to a fresh revival of this timeless story from Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne. It'll leave you asking for more!
- Booking until: Sunday, 14 March 2027
- Running time: 2hr 40min. Incl. interval.
- Starring: Simon Lipkin
- Playing at: Gielgud Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 14 March 2027
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
4.7 6112 reviews 4.7 6112 reviews Tickets from £30.00Now in the 10th longest-running West End stage production in British history, Wicked is the multi-award winning musical based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Dubbed Best Musical of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly, Wicked continues to be one of the West End's most popular family musicals.
- Booking until: Sunday, 30 May 2027
- Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Apollo Victoria Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 30 May 2027
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - The Best Bits
Apollo Theatre
4.6 14 reviews 4.6 14 reviews Tickets from £23.00The beloved franchise that pokes affectionate fun at history comes to life on the West End stage. After two successful television shows and a film, Terry Deary’s hilarious children’s series gets its own stage production, full of sketches and musical numbers featuring famous historical icons as you’ve never seen them before.
- Booking until: Monday, 31 August 2026
- Running time: 1hr 10min. No interval.
- Playing at: Apollo Theatre
- Booking until: Monday, 31 August 2026
Grease The Immersive Movie Musical
Evolution London
4.6 23 reviews 4.6 23 reviews Tickets from £20.00Secret Cinema’s Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical is returning to Evolution London for a strictly limited season this summer. Fans of the film will delight in the opportunity to lose themselves in this one-of-a-kind immersive experience: wandering the halls of Rydell High, enjoying American diner food at the Frosty Palace, seeing the iconic characters come to life, and witnessing thrilling live performances of beloved songs such as ‘Summer Nights', 'Greased Lightnin', and 'We Go Together'.
- Booking until: Sunday, 13 September 2026
- Running time: 2hr.
- Playing at: Evolution London
- Booking until: Sunday, 13 September 2026
ABBA Voyage
Abba Arena
4.9 1196 reviews 4.9 1196 reviews Tickets from £48.00Step into the world of ABBA like never before with ABBA Voyage, a revolutionary blend of live performance and cutting-edge technology. Described as 'ground-breaking' by Metro, ABBA Voyage is one of the most popular immersive experiences London has to offer.
- Booking until: Sunday, 28 February 2027
- Running time: 1hr 40min. No interval.
- Playing at: Abba Arena
- Booking until: Sunday, 28 February 2027
Disney's Hercules Musical
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
4.6 265 reviews 4.6 265 reviews Tickets from £35.00Disney’s Hercules is brought to life on the West End stage in an exciting new musical adaptation, inspired by the beloved animated film and rooted in ancient Greek mythology. With its larger-than-life energy, humour, and heart, this spectacular show is sure to win over gods and mortals alike.
- Booking until: Saturday, 5 September 2026
- Running time: 2hr 10min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
- Booking until: Saturday, 5 September 2026
The Enormous Crocodile
Lyric Hammersmith
4.9 9 reviews 4.9 9 reviews Tickets from £10.00Perfect for children aged three and upwards, this family friendly stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's book takes you deep into the jungle, where the greedy and vicious Enormous Crocodile is on the hunt for children to eat. Only the clever, brave animals of the jungle can stop him through teamwork and courage. Filled with catchy songs and jaw-dropping puppetry, this is the perfect summer experience for the whole family to enjoy.
- Booking until: Saturday, 22 August 2026
- Running time: 55min.
- Playing at: Lyric Hammersmith
- Booking until: Saturday, 22 August 2026
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Theatre Royal Haymarket
4.6 52 reviews 4.6 52 reviews Tickets from £12.00Based on Judith Kerr's beloved picture book and adapted by David Wood, The Tiger Who Came to Tea follows a little girl named Sophie, who's confronted by a huge, tea-guzzling tiger when he invites himself over to her house for afternoon tea. Filled with humour, heart, and infectious songs, this is the perfect summer treat for the whole family, appropriate for children of all ages. Book now and don't miss this charming, delightful story about kindness and embracing the unexpected.
- Booking until: Saturday, 5 September 2026
- Running time: 55min. No interval.
- Playing at: Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Booking until: Saturday, 5 September 2026
My Neighbour Totoro
Gillian Lynne Theatre
4.9 119 reviews 4.9 119 reviews Tickets from £18.00After having a triumphant run at the Barbican Theatre, My Neighbour Totoro transfers to the West End. Delivering a plethora of vibrant visuals, jaw-dropping puppetry and delightful characters, this production takes audiences on a magical journey into the wonders of childhood imagination and the beauty of friendship.
- Booking until: Sunday, 10 January 2027
- Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Gillian Lynne Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 10 January 2027
Paddington: The Musical
Savoy Theatre
4.9 158 reviews 4.9 158 reviews Tickets from £41.00Beloved children’s book character Paddington Bear gets his own musical, directed by Luke Sheppard with music by Tom Fletcher. This heart-warming story of a lost bear searching for a home in London has arrived at the Savoy Theatre and is already a hit with audiences of all ages!
- Booking until: Sunday, 13 February 2028
- Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 Interval.
- Playing at: Savoy Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 13 February 2028
Brainiac Live!
Garrick Theatre
5 4 reviews 5 4 reviews Tickets from £23.00Brainiac Live, the nation's favourite family science show, is returning to the West End this summer just in time for the school holidays. With a mission to get kids to see science as fun and exciting, this exhilarating show features thrilling live experiments performed onstage, including liquid nitrogen clouds, vortex smoke rings, exploding hydrogen balloons, and spinning CO₂ chairs. Perfect for the whole family, don't miss this joyful, electrifying, and downright hilarious celebration of our weird and wonderful world.
- Booking until: Sunday, 30 August 2026
- Running time: 1hr (no interval)
- Playing at: Garrick Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 30 August 2026
The Smartest Giant In Town
St Martins Theatre
4.5 4 reviews 4.5 4 reviews Tickets from £16.00Adapted from the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Smartest Giant in Town heads to London for a limited festive run. Follow the heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need through a puppet-filled adventure, perfect for younger audiences.
- Opens: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027 - Running time: 55min. No interval.
- Playing at: St Martins Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027
Hairspray
New Wimbledon Theatre
4.9 35 reviews 4.9 35 reviewsThe iconic, award-winning musical returns with the uplifting and upbeat story of Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of being a dancer, featuring beloved hit songs like Welcome to the 60s and Good Morning Baltimore. Neil Hurst returns to the role of the formidable Edna Turnblad in this delightful touring production of Hairspray, a story that's been charming audiences since the original film first released in 1988.
- Opens: Tuesday, 31 August 2027
Booking until: Saturday, 4 September 2027 - Running time: 2h 30m
- Playing at: New Wimbledon Theatre
- Booking until: Saturday, 4 September 2027
Room On The Broom
Lyric Theatre
4.3 32 reviews 4.3 32 reviews Tickets from £12.00Jump on board a delightful journey this Winter with the musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Room on the Broom. Brought to the stage by acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories, this show is packed with enchanting puppetry, sing-along songs and hilarious fun, making it the perfect family treat.
- Opens: Friday, 27 November 2026
Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027 - Running time: 1hr. No interval
- Playing at: Lyric Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027
Cirque Berserk
Garrick Theatre
4.5 6 reviews 4.5 6 reviews Tickets from £30.00Reimagining the big top for the theatre stage, Cirque Berserk combines contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, featuring over thirty acrobats, aerialists and daredevil stuntmen showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills. Filled with electrifying spectacle, dazzling stunts, and edge-of-your-seat entertainment, it's the perfect half-term activity for the whole family.
- Opens: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Booking until: Saturday, 31 October 2026 - Running time: 1hr 45min. Incl 1 interval.
- Playing at: Garrick Theatre
- Booking until: Saturday, 31 October 2026
Love live theatre with London's best family shows
Humans have loved storytelling since time began and live theatre is the best way to enjoy it, the most immediate, intimate, and absorbing. The storytellers are right in front of your eyes in real life and you’re surrounded by an audience of hundreds or even thousands of people on the exact same wavelength, sharing the joy. No wonder so many people flock to family shows, a treat for everyone whatever their age.
The West End itself is an experience to remember: the bright lights and happy crowds, the stunning theatre facades, the bustle and shops, bars and eateries. Add an award winning stage production to the mix and it’s hard to beat for thrills, all right in the heart of London. Some of the best family shows have been on stage for decades, appealing to families visiting the West End from around the world.
Marvel at stage magic so eye-boggling the kids will never forget it. Catch a brand new show that broke box office records in the USA, or see a family drama with a powerful message that makes you think. Maybe a family comedy show is on the cards. Bring the family along to see an uplifting family production like The Lion King. Or how about Now You See Me, Matilda The Musical or Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular?
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Are theatre shows a good activity for children?
Theatre is a fun and educational activity for children of all ages. Adaptations of classic books such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe can be a great way for children to be immersed into works while or after reading them. Child-friendly shows for young children are an excellent way to introduce them to theatre, and older children will also enjoy the storytelling and immersiveness of traditional plays and musicals, making this the perfect activity to do as a family.
Is there a lower age limit for family-friendly plays?
Most London theatres do not admit children under the age of 3-5 years old, though certain productions are specifically designed for babies and toddler-aged children. Always check the show's page for age restrictions and recommendations.
Are there any interactive children's shows?
Many family-friendly shows include interactive elements, with sing-alongs, audience participation, and immersive storytelling, which may be most appealing for toddler-aged children.
Are there shows based on children's books or films?
Yes. Many of the most popular family-friendly shows in London are adaptations of beloved children's books (Matilda: The Musical, Paddington: The Musical), Disney films (The Lion King, Hercules), or cartoon characters (Peppa Pig's Big Family Show, CoComelon Singalong).
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