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 updated list of magical baby and toddler shows in London during spring 2026. Each of them was designed for very young audiences. Many even welcome under-2s.
In a hurry? Quick picks for 0–3s
Best baby‑friendly concerts:
Bach to Baby Family Concerts run relaxed 45‑minute classical gigs where babies can feed, crawl and dance to live music without anyone shushing them.
Best value live music show for little ones:
Boppin’ Bunnies Interactive Music Show at Blackheath Halls mixes original songs, live instruments and sensory props. Tickets start from £10, with under‑1s going free.
Best sensory show for babies in spring 2026:
Take Flight at Half Moon is a gentle, sensory show made especially for 0–2s, with short running times and floor‑seating for crawlers and babies who plan to sit in their grown-up’s lap.
Best Julia Donaldson show for toddlers in London right now:
The Flying Bath at Little Angel Theatre brings Julia Donaldson’s picture book to life with puppets, songs and lots of visual fun for 2–5s.
Best puppet show featuring animal friends:
Tots can see Tales from Acorn Wood up close at Bloomsbury Theatre in April. The toddler show, featuring Postman Bear and Tat-a-tat-tat, will also play at artsdepot in late May.
London’s best baby and toddler shows in 2026 (0–3 years)
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 in April
Where: Various London locations
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
Tales from Acorn Wood
This toddler show turns Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tales from Acorn Wood stories into a lift-the-flap adventure.
The songs, puppetry and interactive moments make it a wonderfully playful retelling. Instead of sitting back and watching a long plot unfold, kids get a chain of little mysteries and surprises.
If your child already loves the books, Tales from Acorn Wood will help them feel right at home in a live audience.
Event details
Ages: 2-6 years
When: Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 April 2026
Where: Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1H
Prices: From £21.95
Laaaunch!
If NASA’s latest trip to the Moon inspired you, Laaaunch! is a chance to take your baby on a galactic mission. The space-themed non-verbal theatre show is designed for a very young audience who are just starting to explore movement. Much of it is built around rolling, stretching, sitting and standing, all led by comic trio Dot, Dash and Minim.
There’s also a sensory dimension, as tots get to interact with interesting materials, including the strangest pair of socks you’ve ever seen.
Event details
Ages: 0-12 months
When: Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 April 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, SW19
Prices: From £26 per performance
The Princess and the Pea
The Princess and the Pea is a great first ballet experience for little ones. The show brings a classic fairy tale to life through easy-to-follow storytelling, beautiful costumes and enchanting movement. Beneath all of this is a positive message about not judging by appearances, too.
Event details
Ages: 2 years+
When: Saturday 25 April 2026
Where: Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
Early Weaves
Early Weaves is a non-verbal dance theatre show featuring two friends with a bundle of willow and a lot of imagination.
The performers twist and transform these bendy willow branches, shaping a story about friendship for their little audience through dance and crafts. This clever premise is great for drawing youngsters in through their natural curiosity. They’ll even get to see what their own imaginations will weave during a short post-show stay-and-play session. Overall, the show is a nice reminder that sticks can often be just as much fun as iPads.
Event details
Ages: 2-5 years
When: Sunday 26 April 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £13.75
A Tale of Us
A Tale of Us is a magical multi-sensory show for toddlers, and a very relatable one for new parents.
The audience spends an hour following sleep-deprived Ivy and her baby through the first year of life together. Interesting materials, gentle light shows and puppetry feature throughout the story. Afterwards, there’s a guided stay-and-play session where you’ll get to make friends with other babies and their grown-ups.
Event details
Ages: 0-18 months
When: Wednesday 29 April – Sunday 3 May 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: Adults & Child joint tickets from £28.50
The Flying Bath
The Flying Bath is a puppet adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and David Roberts picture book, following bath toys who swoosh off on watery rescue missions when their family goes out.
Using simple storytelling, songs and plenty of visual fun, the show is designed for a short attention span. Little Angel also offers relaxed performances of The Flying Bath, with softer lighting, open doors and a more flexible approach to noise and movement.
Event details
Ages: 2–5 years
When: Saturday 2 May – Sunday 12 July 2026
Where: Little Angel Theatre, Islington, N1
Prices: Tickets from around £8.50–£16 (varies by performance)
Pie-Rat Island
Pie-Rat Island is as much of an adventure game as a theatre show.
Toddlers get to join Ratty and her friends as they set off across the high seas. Along the way, the show’s performers get their tiny audience involved through games, songs and silliness. For tots who aren’t ready for the fun to end, the one-hour show is followed by a stay-and-play session.
Event details
Ages: 2-6
When: Friday 15 – Saturday 16 May 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND
Prices: £9
Young MacDonald Wants a Farm
Young MacDonald Wants a Farm is one of our top picks here for tots who love music. It’s perhaps more like a mini gig than many of the toddler shows on this list.
The story itself is a sequel of sorts to the classic nursery rhyme, with Old MacDonald’s son seeking to set up a farm to rival his dad’s. Tots get to enjoy electro music, gentle clowning and playful interaction while finding out whether he pulls it off.
Event details
Ages: 2-6
When: Sunday 17 May 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £13.75
There’s a Monster In Your Show
There’s a Monster In Your Show is another great pick for mini music lovers. It features cuddly puppets and original music co-written by McFly’s Tom Fletcher (who wrote the book it’s based on).
The story is about a Little Monster who escapes from a book and crashes a stage performance. He then calls in his friends Dragon, Alien and Unicorn, so as you’d expect, lots of comedy and chaos ensue.
Event details
Ages: 2 years+
When: Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 May 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £15
Take Flight
Specially created for babies and toddlers, Take Flight lands at Half Moon Theatre in June. What makes this such a great first-theatre experience is the fact that it somehow manages to be gentle and spectacular.
The 35-minute performance combines movement, music and simple visual storytelling. In a relaxed studio setting, audiences will sit at floor level while the performers make their way around, engaging them with props and smiles.
Noise, feeding and movement are welcomed, removing some of the barriers that make parents nervous about taking their baby to the theatre.
Event details
Ages: 0-2 years
When: Friday 5 – Saturday 6 June 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: From £18
Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders
Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders is a sweet, uplifting show about kindness.
The story follows a wooden owl who longs to join his friends in the night sky. One day, another lonely traveller arrives who might just be able to help him. If that weren’t wholesome enough, the story is told with beautiful handmade puppets.
Event details
Ages: 2 years+
When: Saturday 6 June 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6
Prices: £12
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.
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?
For under‑2s, we recommend gentle, sensory shows created specifically for babies. You’ll typically be sitting on floor cushions with your baby, while the actors come around engaging with their tiny audience members. Take Flight at Half Moon Theatre is a good example, as are relaxed baby concerts like Bach to Baby.
Older toddlers (2–4) will likely be more interested in shows with more of a story, including Little Angel Theatre’s The Flying Bath and Tales from Acorn Wood at Bloomsbury Theatre and artsdepot. Polka Theatre and Little Lyric’s 2-6 productions are also brilliant “next steps” once they’re ready to sit and focus on a longer narrative.
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 pieces 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. You’ll find new early‑years runs and relaxed performances are added throughout the year.