This guide reveals the best toddler theatre in London across summer 2026. It’s based on Loopla’s review of over 50 shows playing at the city’s best kids’ theatres.
London has no shortage of theatre shows. But when you’re heading out with a baby or toddler in tow, you need a very specific kind of performance.
Little ones need something short, simple and full of energy, with puppets, music and plenty of flexibility to feed, wriggle and wander.
Many mainstream West End shows don’t admit under-3s. So for 0–2s, we recommend children’s theatres and relaxed performances created with babies and toddlers in mind.
Read on for Loopla’s favourite baby and toddler theatre shows in London, updated 15 July 2026. We looked at all the big theatres with shows for toddlers this summer. In total, we checked prices, age guidance and more for over 50 shows.
To help you decide, here are some good-to-know facts and figures based on our review:
- The average cost of a toddler theatre show in London is roughly £13.
- The best-value London theatre for toddlers is Grand Junction. The West London venue sells tickets on a pay-what-you-can basis, starting from £4.
- The London theatres with the most shows for under-5s are Polka Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith. This summer, they’ll each be putting on four productions that are suitable for tots.
We grouped these toddler theatre shows by age guidance. Click below to jump ahead.
- London toddler shows for 0–2 years
- Upcoming theatre shows for 2 year olds in London
- London theatre shows for older toddlers (3 years+)
Or if you’re in a hurry, each section below starts with Loopla’s quick-pick table for that age group.
Beyond theatre, we also have a guide on things to do with toddlers in London. It covers free activities, outdoor fun, cuddly animals and more.
Toddler theatre in London for 0–2 years
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Babies | Blub + A Tale of Us | The biggest baby-focused shows we found for summer 2026 in London. |
| 1 year olds | Pirates Love Underpants | Aimed at 1yrs+. Great for those who already love the books. |
| Music | Bach to Baby | An ongoing live classical concert series, with dates across London over the summer. |
| Value | A Tale of Us | Their £4 pay-what-you-can tickets are the cheapest we found for toddler theatre this summer. |
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. They do so while creating an environment where tots 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. Click below to browse upcoming dates.
Event details
Ages: 0-4 years
When: Various dates this summer
Where: Locations across London
Prices: From £16
Boppin’ Bunnies Interactive Music Show
Boppin’ Bunnies are award-winning specialists in music for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 0 to 4 years (with under-1s able to join sessions for free).
Their structured classes are led by professional musicians. Toddlers get to explore instruments, sounds and simple sensory props with their grown-ups. You can also expect plenty of space for wriggling, dancing and snack breaks.
As well as classes, Boppin’ Bunnies often do special one-off music shows. We’ll let you know when and where to find upcoming events if you sign up for Loopla’s free newsletter for parents. We also include free events and pop-ups, along with special deals that could save you money on your next day of family fun.
Event details
Ages: 0–4 years
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays + Fridays
Where: Various locations in South-East London
Prices: Tickets from £9; under‑1s free
CBeebies House Party Live
CBeebies House Party Live has been dubbed ‘Glastonbury for kids!’. TV favourites including Mr Tumble and Duggee lead the party from the stage, running through songs many toddlers will know by heart.
Little ones get to dance along amid the sort of fun you can’t enjoy through a screen: streamers, giant jellies and bubbles.
Event details
Ages: 0–6 years
When: Tuesday 25 August 2026
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Prices: From £24
Pirates Love Underpants
Pirates Love Underpants is a treasure hunt with a twist. A crew of pirates sets sail in search of the fabled Pants of Gold. Along the way they dodge crocodiles, cross Three Pants Ridge and spot sharks in fancy underwear.
Featuring puppets and music, this 50-minute show is an easy win for toddlers who already love the picture book.
Event details
Ages: 1 year+
When: Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 July 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £15
Blub
Blub is one of just a few theatre shows in London this summer made for babies as young as six months. Rather than watch a show up on stage, you get to explore a whole underwater world.
Babies and grown-ups can move freely around a sensory installation that runs from the coast to the ocean floor. On your voyage, you’ll pass a coral reef knitted and crocheted from 500,000 metres of wool and sea creatures made from recycled materials.
Event details
Ages: 6–18 months
When: Thursday 13 – Sunday 23 August 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £26 (one joint adult + baby ticket)
A Tale of Us
A Tale of Us is a multi-sensory play made for new parents as much as their babies. You follow Ivy and her little one through the ups and downs of their first year of life together. After each hour-long performance there will be a guided Stay and Play session, a great way to make new parent friends.
This September A Tale of Us comes to Grand Junction, the most affordable venue in Loopla’s review of toddler theatre in London. They run a pay-what-you-can scheme, so you choose £4, £7 or £10 per person.
Event details
Ages: 0–18 months
When: Wednesday 16 September 2026 (10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm)
Where: Grand Junction, Paddington, W2
Prices: Pay what you can — £4, £7 or £10 per person (recommended £7)
Multicolore
Multicolore might be the best choice for a theatre outing that both your toddler and their older sibling can enjoy. It is suitable for children from 18 months to six years, the broadest age range in our under-2 section.
Multicolore is a bag puppetry show, where performers use their hands to bring simple puppets made from bags to life. It follows White, who lives happily in a completely white world until a colourful stranger moves in across the road. Without any words, colourful puppets, live music and sound effects tell a gentle story about friendship and learning to welcome people who are different from us.
It lasts just 30 minutes, so you could combine it with another event during Polka Theatre’s Big Dreams festival and receive a discount.
Event details
Ages: 18 months – 6 years
When: Saturday 19 September 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £13
A Message for the Future
A Message for the Future is a calm, gentle show that explores kindness and the wonders of the environment through punk storytelling. The multi-sensory show takes place in a magical future garden. There, little ones meet poet Dandelion, a rock ‘n’ roll Minibeast and an operatic super Herb over 45 minutes of fun. Afterwards, there’s a stay-and-play session.
Event details
Ages: 0–3 years
When: Saturday 26 September 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: From £9
Upcoming theatre shows for 2 year olds in London
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Puppets | Bluey’s Big Play | Big puppets bring Bluey and her family to life in a new story by the TV show’s creator. |
| Music + dancing | CBeebies House Party Live | Six CBeebies favourites lead a full-on party with singing, dancing, bubbles and streamers. |
| A West End experience | Be Like Blippi | The longest-running West End show for ages 2+ in our guide this summer. |
| Value | Musical Magic Box | One £8 ticket covers an adult and child, the best deal in our 2+ section. |
Bluey’s Big Play
This could be a summer highlight for toddlers who happen to be Bluey superfans. Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli appear on stage as puppets in Bluey’s Big Play, a brand new story written by the show’s creator Joe Brumm. Meanwhile, the music comes from its composer, Joff Bush.
The plot follows the classic Bluey formula: Dad wants some afternoon downtime, Bluey and Bingo have other ideas.
Event details
Ages: 2–8 years
When: Thursday 30 July – Sunday 2 August 2026
Where: New Wimbledon Theatre, SW19
Prices: From £20.50
Be Like Blippi
Fans of the TV show won’t need telling, but Blippi is an endlessly curious presenter who explores how everyday things work.
He’s played by Clayton Grimm, who’s coming to London this August for the Be Like Blippi live show.
In a 90-minute interactive adventure, Blippi and his friend Meekah will be getting kids up and moving along to big crowd-pleasers like ‘The Excavator Song’ and ‘Dino Dance’. Just be aware that Grimm will be replaced for shows between Wednesday 26 and Sunday 30 August.
Event details
Ages: 2–7 years
When: Monday 3 – Sunday 30 August 2026
Where: The Arts at Marble Arch, W1H
Prices: From £24
Musical Magic Box
Musical Magic Box is one of the cheapest toddler shows in London this summer. Prices are subject to demand. But at the time of writing, one £8 ticket covers a grown-up and a child together, with extra tickets just £4.
Musical Magic Box is an interactive storytelling show set to live music. It’s led by Lottie and her Magic Box, plus Andy on guitar, but everyone helps tell the story as they sing along. Your 60-minute experience could feature anything from a brave princess to magic recycling bins.
Event details
Ages: 18 months+
When: Saturday 25 July 2026
Where: Soho Theatre Walthamstow, E17
Prices: From £8 (one joint adult + child ticket; extra tickets £4)
London theatre shows for older toddlers (3 years+)
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Julia Donaldson fans | The Gruffalo | Celebrates 25 years in the West End, with the cheapest Julia Donaldson tickets at £10. |
| Puppets | Puffling Percy | Our top summer show from award-winning puppet specialists Little Angel Theatre. |
| Outdoor theatre | Anansi the Spider | Plays on the lawn of one of London’s most beautiful green spaces, Regent’s Park. |
| Value | Hay! + Splat! | Most seats cost a below-average £12.50 without the restricted views of similarly cheap tickets. |
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a great pick for a toddler’s first big-theatre outing to the West End. It runs all summer at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London’s third-oldest playhouse still in use.
Now in its twelfth London season, the musical play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment.
It is of course based on the Judith Kerr book that most toddlers already know. The famous story is told with songs, sing-along moments and also magic. The illusions were in fact designed by a former president of the Magic Circle.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Monday 22 June – Saturday 5 September 2026
Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1
Prices: From £10
There’s a Tiger in the Garden
There’s a Tiger in the Garden is based on Lizzy Stewart’s award-winning picture book of the same name. It runs for five weeks this summer at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, a venue built specifically for children’s shows.
Toddlers have wonderful imaginations, and the story here celebrates this. It follows a girl called Nora who thinks she’s too old for her grandma’s make-believe games. Then she finds dragonflies the size of her head, plants that try to eat her toy giraffe, and a polar bear that fishes.
For this adaptation, Flock Theatre Makers worked with Lizzy Stewart herself.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Wednesday 8 July – Sunday 9 August 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £13
The Lion Inside
The Lion Inside is a gentle confidence-builder for shyer toddlers. The show follows a small mouse who is fed up with being ignored by the bigger animals. So he sets out to learn how to roar like Lion.
Along the way, he discovers that even the biggest, bossiest creatures get scared sometimes. There’s a nice takeaway here for little ones: you don’t have to be big to have the heart of a lion.
The show is based on the bestselling picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, and runs at the Unicorn, the UK’s biggest theatre dedicated to children.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Tuesday 14 July – Sunday 2 August 2026
Where: Unicorn Theatre, London Bridge, SE1
Prices: From £10
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo is one of the most popular shows for young kids. Over three million kids have seen Tall Stories’ adaptation since it premiered 25 years ago.
It’s also one of the most interactive on this list of toddler shows. Rather than restage the picture book scene by scene, actors tell it directly to the audience. Every ten minutes or so, they pull children into the action with songs and gentle participation.
The show plays at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue and runs for an hour, well-suited to a three year old’s attention span.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Friday 17 July – Sunday 6 September 2026
Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
Prices: From £10
The Enormous Crocodile
Roald Dahl stories are rarely suitable for toddlers, but The Enormous Crocodile is aimed at 3 year olds and up. In the 55-minute musical, the crocodile is a bumbling, pantomime-style villain whose plan to eat children is played for silliness, not for scares.
Time Out actually saw the show’s lack of “dark streak” as a flaw. But if you’re looking for a softer-edged introduction to Dahl, this is probably what you want.
The show’s fun puppets were widely praised, though, as the villainous croc assembles and disassembles to take on new dastardly disguises.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Wednesday 29 July – Saturday 22 August 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £15
Zog
There are so many Julia Donaldson-based shows playing in London, but Zog is a standout for many toddlers. It’s a bigger production than most, with a six-person cast and live music filling (in this case) the grand surroundings of Cadogan Hall.
The story follows an eager young dragon who tries very hard at dragon school but keeps getting things wrong. At its heart is a genuinely important message for little ones: the value of picking yourself up and trying again.
Event details
Ages: 3–10 years
When: Sunday 2 – Sunday 23 August 2026
Where: Cadogan Hall, SW1X
Prices: From £25.37
Hay!
Across 50 minutes, this show uses just a single word: “Hay!”.
From then on, it’s a wordless story (told through music, clowning and dance) about a scarecrow seeing the natural world for the first time and longing to fly. Hay! was created by CBeebies star Patrick Lynch, whose Lyngo Theatre company has been making shows for very young audiences since 2003.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Sunday 20 September 2026 (also Sunday 27 September at artsdepot, N12)
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: £10–£25
Splat!
Splat! tells the story of the history of art in a way that might strike a chord with older toddlers who share their bedroom with a sibling. It’s set in an artist’s studio, where two very different painters are trying to create their next masterpiece. One is tidy and serious, the other messy and mischievous.
Created with deaf artist Brian Duffy, the 55-minute show features no words. The physical comedy, movement and music do all the talking.
Event details
Ages: 3-7 years
When: Sunday 13 September 2026
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: £10–£25
Mother Deer
Toddler shows are often silly or full of energy. But for little ones who’d like something more calming to wonder at, Mother Deer is one we recommend. It’s a quiet meditation on our place in nature, told with another thing that sets it apart: aerial acrobatics.
The story, from an award-winning director, is based on an old Northern European folktale about the Winter Solstice.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Sunday 27 September 2026
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: £10–£25
Rabbit & Rey and The Lost Things
This show puts a nice spin on what is a very relatable problem for parents: struggling to find lost toys, socks or keys. Rabbit & Rey and The Lost Things turns this daily frustration into a whole adventure.
Rey loses everything, helped along by Rabbit, a loyal toy bunny. Together they set off to track down missing items, and find that other people have lost things, too. With puppetry and visual storytelling, this 1-hour show gently makes a point some grown-ups in the audience may find mind-blowing (and hopefully uplifting): maybe losing things isn’t always a problem.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Sunday 20 September 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £13.75
The Big Bad Wolf
Here’s a rowdier option for families who’ve had their fill of sweet, gentle shows. The Big Bad Wolf turns a classic fairytale on its head in one of the few outdoor shows on this list.
Having been outcast to the Deep Dark Wood, the Wolf dreams of a comeback. While trying to make it happen he runs into Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs (though not quite as you know them). The show’s makers are the Plandits, who tour gardens and outdoor spaces and were behind the 2024 hit, The Secret Garden.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Thursday 30 – Friday 31 July 2026
Where: St Paul’s Church (the Actors’ Church), Covent Garden, WC2
Prices: From £13.99
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny is set in a garden and performed in one, too.
Covent Garden’s St Paul’s Church hosts it for one afternoon this July, making this one of the most central outdoor toddler shows on our list.
The adaptation pairs two of Beatrix Potter’s stories. Peter sneaks into Mr McGregor’s garden and gets tangled up with nets, cats and a furious gardener. His cousin Benjamin joins the trouble later.
Quantum Theatre specialise in outdoor family touring, though usually at country estates, so this is a rare chance to see them in Zone 1.
Event details
Ages: All ages (recommended 3 years+)
When: Wednesday 29 July 2026
Where: St Paul’s Church (the Actors’ Church), Covent Garden, WC2
Prices: From £13.99
Puffling Percy
Puffling Percy is this summer’s best Little Angel Theatre show for toddlers, but it’s easy to miss. The heart-warming puppet show about friendship and overcoming self-doubt is on for just two days.
Percy is a young puffin who’d rather stay safely inside his burrow than learn to fly. The problem is he faces being left behind as his flock prepares to migrate south. Luckily, a fearless field mouse named Shrimp is on hand to accompany Percy on an adventure with cats, lighthouses and stormy seas.
The 55-minute puppet show features original songs, with tots able to join in with their own sound effects and singing.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Tuesday 11 – Wednesday 12 August 2026
Where: Little Angel Studios, N1
Prices: From £13.50
Kaspar: Prince of Cats
Kaspar: Prince of Cats is a great toddler theatre experience to build a whole day out around. It’s showing in the West End, though not in a traditional theatre. You’ll be following the classic Michael Morpurgo story in the garden of St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden.
After meeting the extraordinary cat Kaspar, new friends Johnny Trott and Lizziebeth set off on an ocean-crossing adventure about courage and friendship. The one-hour show combines puppetry, acting and original music.
Doors open 45 minutes early, so families have time for a picnic before the show. St Paul’s Church is also just a short walk away from Trafalgar Square, Big Ben or Soho to the north.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Thursday 13 – Saturday 29 August 2026
Where: St Paul’s Church (Covent Garden), WC2
Prices: From £15.99
Anansi the Spider
Anansi the Spider is the biggest open-air theatre experience for toddlers in London this summer. It runs for three weeks on the Picnic Lawn of one of London’s most beautiful green spaces, Regent’s Park.
Anansi the Spider brings classic West African and Caribbean folk tales to life. It follows Anansi, the cleverest animal in the kingdom, sometimes too clever for his own good. Across the 50-minute show, the mischievous spider must use his wits to overcome much larger foes. Be sure to bring a blanket, as the audience will be sitting on the grass.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Saturday 15 August – Sunday 6 September 2026
Where: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1
Prices: From £15
The Dreamings of Captain Cat
The Dreamings of Captain Cat is rare, in that it’s inspired by the work of a famous poet rather than a picture book or TV character. The show offers toddlers a playful introduction to the dreamlike world and language of Welsh writer Dylan Thomas.
The adventure begins when Moonraker finds a mysterious book washed onto the beach after a storm. Its stories transport families to Tref O Cathod, a Welsh village inhabited entirely by cats. There, you’ll sail the seas with Captain Cat, attend a feline wedding, help Farmer Catkins count his sheep and learn to make Welsh cakes.
The 60-minute puppet show also includes live music and plenty of opportunities to join in. Afterwards, little ones get to meet Captain Cat.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Saturday 19 September 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
On Your Bike Baffo
On Your Bike Baffo is the closest thing in our toddler theatre guide to a circus show. Rather than retelling a familiar story, it’s built around a clown, a bicycle and a series of increasingly ridiculous stunts.
Bumbling Baffo attempts to teach families how to pump up a tyre and ride a bike. His demonstrations soon descend into slapstick chaos, though. You can expect physical comedy, audience interaction, live music and plenty of bike-based mishaps.
The 45-minute show is at Lyric Hammersmith for one day only.
Event details
Ages: 3–8 years
When: Saturday 12 September 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
The Tale of the Loneliest Whale
The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is the only toddler theatre show in London this summer that’s inspired by a real scientific mystery. It’s the story of how an unusually high-pitched call led to one whale becoming known as the loneliest in the world.
Just as this whale is about to give up on finding a friend, he hears a mysterious voice and sets off to find it. The journey takes him through glowing coral caves, swarms of wibbly jellyfish and encounters with wild-eyed sea monsters.
The 40-minute puppet show was developed through workshops with kids, including those with experience of autism and ADHD. Their ideas helped shape its characters, music and sensory elements.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Saturday 19 September 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £13
What are the best toddler theatre venues in London?
The best theatres for toddlers in London this summer are Polka Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith.
Polka Theatre is the strongest all-round choice. Its programme covers every toddler age group, from sensory shows for babies to longer stories for preschoolers. The whole building was designed with kids in mind, with two theatres and free indoor and outdoor play areas. This means you can turn a theatre trip into a bigger family day out.
Lyric Hammersmith is best for choice, with performances suitable from age 1 upwards. Its Little Lyric programme puts on different family shows on Saturdays, alongside longer productions during the school holidays.
London’s best theatres for toddlers in terms of value are Grand Junction and Half Moon Theatre.
Grand Junction is the cheapest. All its family theatre uses pay-what-you-can pricing, usually giving you a choice between £4, £7 and £10 tickets. Its programme also includes shows made specifically for babies and toddlers.
Half Moon Theatre offers the most reliable value. Every ticket costs £9 with no booking fee and prices don’t change depending on the show or where you sit.
For puppetry, the best toddler theatre in London is Little Angel Theatre. Puppetry has been its main focus since it opened in 1961, and it now presents shows across two Islington venues as well as touring them around the UK and abroad.
Little Angel was named Fringe Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards in 2024. Its annual Children’s Puppet Festival has also won a special Offie Award.
FAQ: How to find the best toddler shows in London for your family
What is the best theatre show in London for babies and toddlers?
The baby theatre shows we recommend are gentle, sensory sessions and relaxed concerts created with under-2s in mind, like Bach to Baby. You’ll often be sitting on floor cushions while the musicians or performers come to you.
Two-year-olds tend to enjoy short, story-led shows with puppets and songs, such as Musical Magic Box at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. Older toddlers of 3 and up can sit a little longer, opening up bigger productions like The Gruffalo and The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Can I take a 2-year-old to the theatre?
Yes – you absolutely can take a 2-year-old to the theatre, just as long as you choose the right show. Look for early‑years performances with age guidance starting at 0–2 or 2–4, or for relaxed performances.
Puppet‑ and music‑based shows are a great way to introduce tots to theatre. Small venues like Polka, Little Angel, Unicorn and Half Moon often cater specifically to this age group.
Are West End shows suitable for 0–2s?
Most West End theatres set a minimum age of 3–5. Many don’t admit babies or strongly advise against bringing under‑3s because of the volume, length and content. For 0–2s, we recommend early‑years theatres and relaxed concerts instead. Save those big West End musicals for when your child is a bit older and more comfortable sitting through a full‑length show.
How do I find more toddler shows in London?
To find more toddler shows in London, use Loopla’s filters to search for events by age (0–2 and 2–4) and location. That way, you’ll see everything from baby concerts to toddler puppet theatre in one place. It’s also worth checking the “What’s On” pages at Little Angel Theatre, Polka Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Southbank Centre and Lyric Theatre Hammersmith regularly. New early‑years runs and relaxed performances are added throughout the year.
Treat your toddler to a play day at one of London’s most famous museums
Did you know many of London’s big museums and galleries run special sessions for toddlers? Our favourites include the V&A’s Design Baby and the Natural History Museum’s Adventure Babies.
The only problem is that they often book up quickly. Signing up for Loopla’s newsletter can help you stay ahead of the pack. That way, we’ll keep an eye out for upcoming events, and the only place you need to check is your inbox.