Family and Kids in London

Family-friendly theatre in London reaches far beyond the obvious headline musicals. Across the West End and the city's subsidised and Off-West End houses you will find long-running shows that work for ages five and up, puppetry and storytelling pitched at the very young, and bigger spectacles aimed at older children and teenagers. The category below collects the shows where producers have signalled a young audience, mixing our curated editorial picks with live event data so the list stays current as new family titles open and seasonal runs come and go.

The single biggest concentration of family programming lands in the school holidays, especially the summer break, the February and October half terms, and the Christmas season when pantomimes and festive shows take over venues across London. The Society of London Theatre runs Kids Week every August, when accompanied children can go free or at a steep discount to a wide range of major productions, which is the cheapest way for a family to see a flagship West End musical.

When you are choosing, the most important detail is the age guidance, because a show that delights a ten-year-old can overwhelm a four-year-old. Every listing carries the producer's recommended age, the running time and the venue so you can judge whether a sitting will suit your group, and matinees are usually the best fit for younger children. A theatre trip also pairs naturally with a daytime outing, so our things to do in London page suggests museums, attractions and easy lunches near the main theatre districts.