Best Family Shows in the UK – Theatre, Musicals & Shows for Children

Family shows can turn a day out or short break into something really memorable, whether you are taking younger children to their first theatre performance or looking for a musical that older children and teenagers will enjoy.

Use this guide to find family-friendly theatre shows, musicals and touring productions, with ideas for toddlers, school-age children and teenagers, plus practical advice on tickets, running times and accessibility.

Age guidance, performance schedules and ticket availability can change, so always check the current show information before booking.

Which Family Show Is Right for You?

For toddlers and younger children: Look for shorter shows, daytime performances and productions based on familiar characters or stories.

For school-age children: Big musicals, colourful staging and well-known stories often work especially well for a first theatre visit.

For teenagers: Musicals with stronger music, humour or more mature stories can be a better fit than shows aimed mainly at younger children.

For a rainy day: Theatre is an easy indoor option and works particularly well as part of a city break or family day out.

For accessibility: Wheelchair spaces, step-free access, hearing systems and relaxed or accessible performances vary by venue, so check before booking.

The Big Family Favourites

These shows have been delighting families for years — tried, tested and absolutely loved by audiences of all ages.

The Lion King

Lyceum Theatre, London

Hands down one of the best family shows in the world. The costumes and puppetry are jaw-dropping, the music is brilliant and kids absolutely love every single minute. Circle of Life at the opening will give you goosebumps — guaranteed. Suitable for ages 6 and up.

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Matilda the Musical

Cambridge Theatre, London

Based on the wonderful Roald Dahl story, this show is funny, clever and surprisingly moving. The children in the cast are absolutely incredible and the whole thing is just brilliant from start to finish. Adults enjoy it just as much as the kids — possibly more!

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Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre, London

The untold story of the witches of Oz — and it’s absolutely magical. Brilliant for older children and teenagers especially, though adults love it just as much. Defying Gravity is one of the great West End moments and will leave everyone buzzing. Best for ages 7 and up.

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Mamma Mia!

Novello Theatre, London

A feel-good, sing-along show packed with ABBA classics that the whole family will know. Funny, warm and joyful — by the end everyone is on their feet. A brilliant choice for a family trip with older children, teenagers and adults. Pure sunshine from start to finish.

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Paddington the Musical

Savoy Theatre, London

Everyone’s favourite bear from darkest Peru is now a West End star — and it’s every bit as lovely as you’d hope. Perfect for younger children who love the films and books, and genuinely charming for the grown-ups too. Sweet, funny and full of heart. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

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Disney’s Hercules

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

The Disney classic gets a spectacular West End makeover. Action-packed, funny and full of brilliant music, this is a fantastic choice for Disney-loving families. The sets and staging are incredibly impressive and the whole show has an energy that kids absolutely love. Great for ages 5 and up.

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For the Harry Potter Fans

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — Palace Theatre

If your family loves Harry Potter, this is an absolute must. Set nineteen years after the original stories, it follows Harry’s son Albus — and the stage magic is genuinely astonishing. You’ll see things on stage and genuinely not know how they did it. Best for children aged 10 and up who know the Harry Potter stories well.

Important — this is one story told in two parts. You need tickets for both Part 1 and Part 2. You can watch them back to back on the same day (afternoon and evening) or on two consecutive days. Most families do both on the same day — it’s a long but absolutely brilliant day out.

Check Tickets — Harry Potter

More Family Shows — Seasonal & Touring

Lots of brilliant family shows run during school holidays, half terms and the Christmas season. These tend to have shorter runs so it’s always worth checking what’s on around your travel dates. Some of the shows that appear regularly include:

Tips for a Brilliant Family Theatre Trip

Check the age guidance first — this is the most important one. Every show has a recommended minimum age and some have content that isn’t suitable for young children. Always check before you book.

Think about running time — most West End shows run for around two to two and a half hours including an interval. That’s a long time for a young child to sit still! For under 5s, look specifically for shorter children’s shows designed for little ones.

Book your seats carefully — stalls seats are great for adults but if you have small children who might struggle to see over the person in front, the dress circle can give a better view of the whole stage. Check the theatre’s seat map before buying.

Evening or matinee? — for younger children, a Saturday matinee (afternoon performance) is usually much better than an evening show. They get to enjoy it fully without being tired, and you’re not rushing home late at night.

Plan your day around it — a theatre trip to London is a brilliant opportunity to make a full day of it. Arrive early, explore a bit of the city, grab some food nearby and then head to the show. The kids will remember the whole day, not just the performance.

Book early for school holidays — family shows during half term, Easter and summer sell out very quickly. If you’re planning a trip during the school holidays, get your tickets sorted as early as possible.

Make it a proper London break:   Theatre Breaks  •  Hotels in London  •  Things to do in London  •  Museums & Galleries

More shows to explore:   West End Musicals  •  West End Plays  •  Comedy Shows  •  Regional Theatres