London has no shortage of theatre shows, but when you’re heading out with a toddler in tow, you need a special kind of performance.
Little ones need something short, simple, and full of energy. They love puppets, songs, and ideally a bit of space to wriggle and explore.
Read on for Loopla’s full list of wonderful kids’ theatre shows that tick these boxes.
In a hurry? Skim our quick list of London’s best baby and toddler shows:
Best interactive show for babies and toddlers: Tots aged 6 months to 4 years can take part in Unicorn Theatre’s Squirrel. “This small wonder is full of surprises,” wrote the Guardian in a five-star review.
Best upcoming London show for babies: Created by award-winning choreographers, Fields of Tender will immerse audiences of under-2s at the Southbank Centre in mid-February.
Best shows for older tots this winter: McFly creation The Dinosaur That Pooped will delight many kids (1 Feb). As will the mesmerising music and puppetry of The Littlest Yak (31 Jan).
London’s best free toddler show in early 2026: Early Weaves will play at the Southbank Centre on 11 February. The non-verbal dance show is a ticket-less “heart-warming tale of friendship” for ages 2-5.
Best value show baby and toddler show: Boppin’ Bunnies is running an interactive music show for ages 0-5 at Blackheath Halls on 28 Feb. Tickets are £10 and free for under-1s.
London’s best toddler shows in 2026
The Dinosaur That Pooped: A Rock Show!
Based on the bestselling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, The Dinosaur That Pooped: A Rock Show! combines live music, comedy and storytelling.
The show follows Danny and Dino as they get into chaotic adventures involving songs, silliness and a lot of mess, with a pace and humour aimed at early primary school children.
Date: Sun 1 Feb
Ages: 3 – 7 years
Where: Richmond Theatre, TW9
Prices: Tickets from £20.95
The Littlest Yak
Based on the picture book by Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley, The Littlest Yak follows Gertie, a young yak who wants to fit in but discovers that being small can have its advantages.
This stage adaptation uses storytelling, music and puppetry to explore themes of resilience, confidence and belonging in a way that is accessible for younger audiences.
Date: Sat 31 Jan
Ages: 3 years+
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6
Prices: Tickets from £12.00
Hay! puppet show
Hay! is a visual puppet show that explores farming life and animals through movement, sound and playful storytelling.
Designed for younger audiences, the performance focuses on simple actions and sensory moments rather than dialogue.
Date: Sat 14 Feb
Ages: 3 years+
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6
Prices: Tickets from £12
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
This family-friendly adaptation introduces young audiences to Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, following Alice as she tumbles into a strange and imaginative world.
The production uses movement, music and visual storytelling to retell the story in a format designed to be accessible for younger theatre-goers.
Date: Sun 8 Feb
Ages: 3 years+
Where: artsdepot, N12
Prices: Tickets from £13.75
The Princess and the Pea
This retelling of the classic fairy tale uses music, movement and theatrical design to explore themes of comfort, kindness and sensitivity.
The production is designed for a wide age range, with clear storytelling and visual moments that younger children can follow.
Date: Sat 14 – Fri 20 Feb
Ages: 2 – 8 years
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Prices: Tickets from £19.50
Signor Baffo interactive kids show
Signor Baffo is an interactive theatre show featuring a moustached character who communicates through physical comedy, sound and audience interaction.
Children are encouraged to take part, respond and move, making it well suited to younger audiences who enjoy participatory performances.
Date: Sat 28 Feb
Ages: 3 years+
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6
Prices: Tickets from £12.00
Ruby’s Worry
Based on the picture book by Tom Percival, Ruby’s Worry explores how worries can grow and how sharing them can help.
This stage adaptation uses storytelling, music and visual elements to support conversations around emotions in a way that feels approachable for young children.
Date: Wed 11 – Sun 22 Feb
Ages: 3-7 years
Where: Polka Theatre, SW19
Prices: Tickets from £16.50
Early Weaves: Dance theatre for tots
Early Weaves is a relaxed dance theatre experience created especially for toddlers and their grown-ups.
The performance blends movement, rhythm and visual patterns, with a flexible format that allows children to watch, move and respond in their own way.
Date: Wed 11 Feb
Ages: 2-5 years
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Prices: Free
I Want My Hat Back Trilogy
This trilogy brings three of Jon Klassen’s picture books to the stage using puppetry and simple staging.
Across the three short stories, young audiences follow a bear searching for his missing hat, with dry humour, visual storytelling and gentle audience engagement suited to younger children.
Date: Thu 5 Feb – Sat 9 May
Ages: 3 – 6 years
Where: Little Angel Studios, N1
Prices: Tickets from £8.50
London’s best baby shows in 2026
Squirrel
Squirrel is a gentle, non-verbal theatre experience for babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 4 years. Through puppetry, movement and simple interaction, children follow a busy squirrel as it searches for its carefully hidden acorns and discovers the changing seasons along the way.
Performed in a relaxed space at the Unicorn Theatre, the show is designed to suit short attention spans and curious little explorers who like to watch, wander and join in when they feel ready.
Date: Sat 17 Jan – Sun 22 Feb
Ages: 6 months – 4 years
Where: Unicorn Theatre, SE1
Prices: Tickets from £25.50
Bach to Baby Family Concerts
Bach to Baby host relaxed live music concerts for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups.
Professional musicians perform a mix of classical favourites alongside jazz, folk and themed programmes, in an environment where children are free to move around, make noise or take a break as needed.
Concerts typically last around 45 minutes and take place in family-friendly venues across London and beyond, with different programmes running throughout the month at the Bach to Baby.
Ages: 0-4 years
Where: Various London locations
Prices: From £16.00
Groove Sensation
Groove Sensation is a sensory music experience for under-fives and their grown-ups at the Lyric Hammersmith.
The GB Trio blend upbeat funk, jazz and gentle electronic sounds with simple visuals and interactive moments to create an engaging atmosphere where little ones can listen, move or dance along at their own pace.
The show runs for around 55 minutes and is designed to be relaxed and welcoming for families with babies and toddlers.
Date: Sat 24 Jan
Ages: 0 – 4 years
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6
Prices: Tickets from £12
toooB: Gentle sensory adventure for babies
toooB is a sensory theatre experience for babies aged around 6 to 24 months and their grown-ups at the Polka Theatre.
Featuring curious, shape-shifting creature exploring its world through movement, sound and playful interaction, inviting very young audiences to watch, engage and discover at their own pace.
The performance combines simple visual moments with an original soundtrack and is designed as an introduction to theatre and dance, with plenty of space for gentle interaction and imaginative response.
Date: Wed 25 Feb – Sun 8 Mar
Ages: 6 months – 2 years
Where: Polka Theatre, SW19
Prices: Tickets from £28.50
Fields of Tender
Fields of Tender is an immersive dance and sensory experience for babies and toddlers aged around 6 months to 2 years and their grown-ups, presented as part of the Imagine festival at the Southbank Centre.
The performance unfolds in a calm space with movement, sound, music and gentle visuals where families are free to enter, leave or explore as they like within the session.
It’s designed to be experienced at your own pace and invites little ones to take in a world of soft shapes and playful rhythms rather than follow a traditional story.
Date: Wed 11 – Thu 12 Feb
Ages: 6 months – 2 years
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Prices: Tickets from £25.50
Mini Jam Gigs
Mini Jam’s Friday gigs are created for toddlers and early years. Their live gigs see performances from gypsy jazz to soul classics. It’s a relaxed environment where you can chat, feed, change nappies and leave when needed.
Ages: 0-5 years
Where: The Four Thieves, Clapham Junction, SW11
Prices: £12.90
Boppin’ Bunnies Interactive Music Show
Boppin’ Bunnies Interactive Music Show is a live music session for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 0 to 5 years.
Led by professional musicians, the show includes original Boppin’ Bunnies songs alongside live performances, with opportunities for children to explore instruments, sounds and simple sensory props with their grown-ups.
Taking place at Blackheath Halls, the session is designed to be relaxed and interactive, with under-1s attending for free.
Date: Sat 28 Feb
Ages: 0 – 5 years
Where: Blackheath Halls, SE3
Prices: Tickets from £10.00
Toddler Show FAQs
What is the best theatre show in London for children?
The best theatre show in London for children is Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out or The Snowman for young children. For ages 3 years+, shows such as Dogs Don’t Do Ballet and Stick Man are great choices. Theatre shows in London for children aged 6 years+ include musicals Matilda and The Lion King.
Which musical is best for kids?
The best musical for kids is Matilda or The Lion King, alongside many other brilliant shows. These shows are created for a family audience and tell stories kids can follow and engage with. For these and more, see our top 10 Magical West End Musicals for Kids.
What age are West End shows for?
West End shows are usually for 5 years+, though every show will have its own criteria. There are lots of shows for families and children of all ages. Other shows will have an age limit due to the story or themes covered.
Can I take a 2-year-old to the theatre?
Yes, you can take a 2-year-old to the theatre. Find a child-friendly show and check the age recommendations.