There’s still three more weeks to book for Kids Week and over 40 top London shows are still available. 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, despite the name Kids Week runs for the whole of the summer holidays, with some shows even having performances in September, but you must book by 31 August. During Kids Week a child 17 and under goes free to the theatre with a full paying adult and two more children can attend half price each.
Suitable for all ages
Paddington The Musical is sold out all summer, but on 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 to interact with your surroundings, rather than sitting down, so do bear 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 keep you entertained for 70 minutes.
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.
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.
