Kids Week is just around the corner and tickets are already on sale, but with so many shows to choose from it’s hard to know what to pick. Plus, if your child is really young, you may think that they aren’t ready for theatre yet.
That’s why today we’re going to look at some shows that are made especially for the youngest audiences to help you decide if your child would enjoy a trip to the theatre and where to start. These shows are shorter than a usual theatre show, with many of them involving getting involved in the show, singing and dancing along and sometimes even interacting with the performers.
Remember, during Kids Week (which runs 20 July – 31 August), a child 17 and under goes free with a full paying adult and two more children can attend half price each.
Suitable for all ages
Since Bluey stormed onto our TVs from Australia in 2018, she has quickly cemented herself as a staple of children’s TV alongside Peppa Pig, Thomas The Tank Engine and Fireman Sam. We knew it wouldn’t be long before she made the jump from small screen to the stage and in 2024 not only did she debut Bluey’s Big Play but it was even nominated for an Olivier Award and she walked the Green Carpet.
Bluey’s Big Play is told with puppets that just look like the animated series and with original music. It’s 50 minutes long with no interval and is considered to be suitable for all ages so if your toddler knows the TV show, watching something familiar may be the perfect entry into live theatre. But hurry, there’s only four performances from 3 July – 2 August.
Paddington The Musical is sold out all summer, but the other side of the Thames you can meet Peru’s most famous bear at The Paddington Bear Experience. In this immersive experience, you and your children meet and interact with characters from Deepest Darkest Peru all the way to Windsor Gardens. Unlike a traditional theatre show, you’ll be walking around so do bare that in mind. Babes in arms are allowed although they must have a ticket. As an immersive show, timings may vary but it’s likely to be around 70 minutes long.
Suitable for ages 1+
Coming for one week to the Lyric Hammersmith (22 26 July) based on the original book, Pirates Love Underpants is a 55 minute show with no interval that features a swashbuckling party of pirates, music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold.
Suitable for ages 2+
YouTube sensation Blippi is back on tour with a brand new show Be Like Blippi. This 90 minute show includes an interval and you’ll need the interval because Blippi and Meekah will be inviting you to learn while singing, laughing and dancing along with them at the new The Arts at Marble Arch Theatre throughout all of August.
Suitable for ages 3+
Once your child gets to three, there’s plenty of things to see and do with Kids Week this summer.
Many of these shows are based on beloved books, so you can watch your child be filled with wonder as their favorite characters step out of the page and become life-sized right before their eyes.
Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came To Tea and The Gruffalo, Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile and Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s Zog are all around 55-60 minutes featuring joyful songs and mischievous puppetry. Meanwhile Dr Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat is coming to life in both south and north London with a run from 13-16 August at the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames before heading over the river to Soho Theatre Walthamstow on 21-23 August.
For kids that want to go on a new adventure, Mermaids & Pirates is an hour long show with calypso-infused songs and salsa-styled choreography that turns Treasure Island on its head when Long Gone Silver comes across Marina and her Mermaids.
Dinosaur World Live is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning children’s show that invites your children to step into a prehistoric world of astonishing dinosaurs and learn about how the Earth used to look, while being wowed by their favourite flesh-eating giants. After the 50 minute show there’s a 15 minute meet & greet for the brave explorers out there.
