Book tickets to summer West End shows suitable for children

Enjoy a family-friendly show in the West End, and introduce young people to the magic of live theatre all summer long.

We’ve just had the Easter holidays but it’s never too early to start thinking about the summer! The West End is always a great bet for family shows, offering dedicated productions for young audiences and those with multi-generational appeal.

You’ve got plenty of choice when it comes to plays or musicals, length of show, subject matter, age suitability, and whether you’re keen to return to a family favourite or try something completely different.

There are numerous offerings perfect for newcomers to theatre presented in a way that will fire up their imaginations and smooth the transitions from their familiar books or movies to live entertainment. There's plenty of animal magic, fabulous puppetry, and lively music and dance on offer!

Here are some of the fantastic child-friendly productions in London this summer that you can book tickets for now.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea remains one of the best-loved picture books of all time, over 55 years after it was first published (how can that be?!). Sophie and Mummy are getting ready to have their tea when a big, stripey Tiger invites himself in and eats them out of house and home!

The Olivier-nominated production features plenty of jokes, teatime chaos, and a sing-along. It’s sure to be a roar-some introduction to theatre for little ones. Aimed at ages 3+ (running time 55 mins).

Book The Tiger Who Came to Tea tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

The Enormous Crocodile

Roald Dahl’s Enormous Crocodile is greedy, grumptious, and beastly… and he’s back snapping his jaws at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in August! The Crocodile craves a nice juicy child for his next meal… will the other jungle animals be able to foil his wicked plan?

This mischievous musical was previously performed at Regent’s Park Open Theatre last summer and features tasty tunes by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and playful book and lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra. All the animals are brought to life via brilliant puppets by Toby Olié. Aimed at ages 4+ (running time 55 mins).

Book The Enormous Crocodile tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

101 Dalmatians

Like Roald Dahl and Judith Kerr, Dodie Smith is a beloved figure in children’s fiction and this musical adaptation of her most famous story has a distinctly modern twist, in which villainess Cruella de Vil is a social media influencer. The show features jaunty music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge and a book by Johnny McKnight.

The production has been touring the UK and arrives at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo in July as a treat for the summer holidays, filled with adorable tail-wagging canine puppets. Lock up your puppies, Cruella is in town! Suitable for ages 5+ (running time 2hrs 20mins).

Book 101 Dalmatians tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet)

There are more fabulous renderings of animals in the Royal Ballet’s version of Lewis Carroll’s curiouser and curiouser classic, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon (MJ The Musical) with music by Joby Talbot. First performed in 2011, it has quickly become one of the best-loved new ballets of the 21st century and makes for a true intergenerational treat.

Bob Crowley’s multi-dimensional designs are a wonder and there’s a tap-dancing tea party, a Caterpillar who requires many pairs of jewelled pointe shoes, and a true diva of a Queen of Hearts. Star ballerinas performing the title role this summer include Francesca Hayward, Anna-Rose O’Sullivan, and Yasmine Naghdi. Suitable for ages 5+ (note the 2hr 50min running time).

Book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Alice in Wonderland

The Royal Ballet’s production isn’t the only rabbit hole you can tumble down this summer. Over at the Marylebone Theatre, New York-based director and designer Nate Bertone’s production is sure to provide tons of topsy-turvy fun.

At 60 minutes, it captures all the magic of the story in an accessible running time for little ones. Don’t be late like the White Rabbit! Aimed at ages 5+.

Book Alice in Wonderland tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

My Neighbour Totoro

Escape to the Japanese countryside and experience the enchantment of Studio Ghibli on stage with this six-time Olivier Award-winning production (including direction, set design, and costume design). Sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside following their mother’s illness and encounter numerous woodland spirits, including Totoro, a fuzzy, gentle giant.

This exceptionally beautiful and creative production features an innovative form of puppetry that the creative team have dubbed “wind spirits”. Recommended for ages 6+ (the show is not suitable for under fours and has a 2hr 40min running time).

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Hercules

Disney has been providing top-notch family entertainment for generations and its latest stage offering, Hercules, ought to be one of its most epic yet. Hercules is the son of Zeus and Hera but after he's cursed with mortality, he sets out to become a hero so he can return to Mount Olympus.

The show features the songs from the film (including the Oscar-nominated “Go the Distance”) plus new numbers by Alan Menken and David Zippel. Recommended for ages 6+ (the show is not suitable for under fours).

Book Hercules tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Starlight Express

It’s full steam ahead for the second year of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe’s roller-skating extravaganza at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at the Troubadour Theatre Wembley Park. It’s a truly immersive spectacle that boasts extraordinary design and choreography that whizzes right past you.

It’s very easy to root for underdog steam engine hero Rusty, who is undermined by flashy diesel and electric trains. Will the mythical Starlight Express give him the courage to pursue his dream? The content is suitable for all ages, but children under three will not be admitted (running time 2hrs 30mins).

Book Starlight Express tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Matilda

It’s hard to believe that Matilda celebrates its 15th anniversary this year as it’s as fresh as ever, yet also feels as if it’s always been part of the West End. With its exceptional warmth and intelligence, it’s no wonder it won seven well-deserved Olivier Awards! Tim Minchin’s score is a delight, packed with wordplay and other clever nuggets.

Young Matilda possesses a brilliant mind and an extraordinary imagination, which she uses to terrific effect to stand up to her philistine parents and horrible headmistress, the hammer-throwing Miss Trunchbull. She’s a real role model for children and adults alike. Recommended for ages 6+ (running time 2hrs 35mins).

Book Matilda tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The snowy land of Narnia descends on Sadler’s Wells for a visit this August. Whether you’ve read all the instalments in C.S. Lewis’s beloved saga or this is your first encounter with Narnia, you’ll be enraptured by Sally Cookson’s production, which has been performed in the West End several times previously and toured extensively.

The show is filled delightful folk-inspired songs and magical puppetry. Step into the enchanted world of Narnia alongside new friends in the form of the Pevensie children, Mr Tumnus, Mr and Mrs Beaver, and more. Aimed at ages 7+ (running time 2hrs 30mins).

Book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Noughts & Crosses

This one is for teenagers. Based on Malorie Blackman’s bestselling young adult series, the Romeo and Juliet-esque story of Callum and Sephy, set in an alternative version of modern Britain, has captivated readers since the first instalment was published in 2001. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Associate Artistic Director Tinuke Craig directs this new production.

Dominic Cooke’s fearless adaptation was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2007, and its depiction of racism, inequality, and terrorism is sure to spark many meaningful conversations while also being a thrilling piece of storytelling. Aimed at ages 14+.

Book Noughts & Crosses tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.