This guide reveals the best toddler theatre shows in London during October and November 2026. To create it, we looked at over 30 kids’ theatres.
Updated 7 October 2026
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. Ideally with puppets and/or music, plus plenty of flexibility to feed, wriggle and wander.
Many mainstream West End shows don’t admit under-3s at all. So for 0–2s, we recommend children’s theatres and relaxed performances created with babies and toddlers in mind.
But how do you find them?
To save you endless searching, we checked all of London’s best family venues for toddler theatre shows playing in October and November 2026.
In total, we confirmed prices, age guidance and more for nearly 40 toddler theatre shows in London.
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 £12. Eleven of the shows in our guide cost under £10 per person.
- The cheapest toddler theatre in London is The Librarians at Deptford Lounge, where you pay what you decide from £1. Grand Junction in Paddington is next, with pay-what-you-can tickets from £4.
- The London theatre with the most shows for under-5s is Half Moon in Limehouse. It has six productions in our guide, ranging from babies to older toddlers.
We grouped these toddler theatre shows by age guidance. Click below to jump ahead.
- Baby theatre shows in London in October and November
- Toddler theatre shows in London for 2 year olds
- London theatre shows for older toddlers (3 years+)
- Christmas toddler theatre in London starting in November
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 animal encounters and more.
Baby theatre shows in London in October and November
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Babies | Home Song (Unicorn Theatre, SE1) | This interactive musical made for 6–18 months is back at the Unicorn after last year’s sell-out run. |
| Biggest show | Dear Zoo (artsdepot, N12) | The hit show plays at artsdepot’s 400-seat Pentland Theatre, by far London’s biggest venue we found with theatre for under 2 year olds this October. |
| Music | Bach to Baby (across London) | These relaxed live classical concerts for 0–4s run at venues across London in October and November. |
| Value | A Message for the Future (Grand Junction, W2) | Pay-what-you-can tickets for this immersive show at Grand Junction start from £4, the cheapest baby theatre we found in London between now and November. |
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 autumn
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 £11; under‑1s free
Home Song
Home Song is an interactive musical for babies. It follows a little girl and her mum as they search for the meaning of home, from Kumasi in Ghana to London. Filled with puppetry, soundscapes and a cappella singing, it’s built for little ones aged 6 months and up.
Home Song returns to the Unicorn after selling out last year. This popularity may explain why it has the longest run of any show for babies in this guide, playing for five weeks. Tickets starting from £20.50 would appear steep, but the price covers entry for both adult and baby. This makes it mid-range in terms of value among all the baby shows we found in London for autumn 2026.
The show lasts 30 minutes, followed by a stay-and-play session.
Event details
Ages: 6–18 months
When: Friday 2 October – Sunday 8 November 2026
Where: Unicorn Theatre, London Bridge, SE1
Prices: From £20.50 (combined adult and child ticket)
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 17 October 2026
Where: Grand Junction, Paddington, W2
Prices: Pay what you can — £4, £7 or £10 per person
Dear Zoo
Dear Zoo is a puppet show about a child who writes to the zoo asking for a pet, and keeps being sent the wrong animal. It’s based on Rod Campbell’s lift-the-flap classic. Despite selling over 8 million copies since 1982, the book doesn’t jump out as one that would make for an amazing stage show. Somehow the Norwell Lapley team have done it, though, gaining multiple five-star reviews in the process.
Beyond puppets, Dear Zoo features music, fun costumes and lots of audience interaction. Suitable for 1 year+, it has the lowest age guidance of any theatre show for toddlers we found in London this autumn (outside those made for babies). Its five-day run is also the longest at artsdepot.
Event details
Ages: 1 year+
When: Friday 23 – Tuesday 27 October 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £15
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 35-minute performance there will be a guided Stay and Play session, a great way to make new parent friends.
A Tale of Us has been touring London kids theatres since the summer, and November sees it arrive at Half Moon in Limehouse. Tickets are sold in bundles of two, covering one baby and one grown-up sitting together on the floor. Extra adults can book a chair behind the semicircle.
Event details
Ages: 0–18 months
When: Friday 20 – Saturday 21 November 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
Huddle
Huddle follows a penguin dad whose egg hatches, leaving him to work out how to look after his chick. It combines live performance with projection and sound, and returns to the Unicorn after selling out in 2024.
Aimed at ages 1–4, it’s the youngest-skewing among the toddler theatre shows in London we found running into January.
Event details
Ages: 1–4 years
When: Friday 27 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Where: Unicorn Theatre, London Bridge, SE1
Prices: From £16.50
Toddler theatre shows in London for 2 year olds
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Biggest show | Alice in Wonderland The Ballet (Blackheath Halls, SE3) | This one-day ballet plays a 600-seat hall, the biggest venue we found hosting a show for 2-year-olds. |
| Puppets | Pip and Posy Live on Stage (Little Angel, N1) | The puppets in this nine-week show from specialists Little Angel capture the much-loved TV characters perfectly. |
| Value | Musical Magic Box (Soho Theatre Walthamstow, E17) | A £12 ticket for this interactive music storytelling show covers both adult and child, the best price we found across upcoming London theatre for 2 year olds. |
| Bringing older siblings along | The Lost Property Library (Story Centre, E15) | This interactive theatre show is aimed at ages 2–9, the widest range in this section. |
Pip and Posy Live on Stage
Pip and Posy Live on Stage is a puppet show about two best friends who love to play. Your little one may already know them from Axel Scheffler’s bestselling picture books and the BAFTA-nominated TV series. But this 50-minute show is your first chance to see them on stage, with original songs.
Pip and Posy Live on Stage has one of the longest runs of any toddler theatre show in London this autumn. It’s staged at Little Angel Theatre, an Islington venue that specialises in puppets. We’re excited to see how they bring to life the jungles, swamps and big red balloon rides set to feature in Pip and Posy’s latest adventure.
Event details
Ages: 2–5 years
When: Saturday 19 September – Sunday 22 November 2026
Where: Little Angel Theatre, Islington, N1
Prices: From £14
Alice in Wonderland The Ballet
Alice in Wonderland The Ballet is a 60-minute dance version of Lewis Carroll’s classic story. For those looking to introduce their toddler to dance theatre, this may be our top recommendation. Alice in Wonderland is the only ballet aimed at toddlers we found playing in London in autumn 2026. The performers will also hang around after the show to take pics with their little audience.
If Blackheath is too far, Alice in Wonderland The Ballet also plays Jacksons Lane in Highgate on Sunday 18 October.
Event details
Ages: 2–12 years
When: Saturday 10 October 2026
Where: Blackheath Halls, SE3
Prices: From £15 (under-16s; £17 adults)
The Lost Property Library
The Lost Property Library is an interactive show set in an archive where lost objects are kept safe, along with the stories behind them. You’ll be welcomed onto the platform by the Station Master. Then everyone gets to explore the trunks and suitcases and make up stories together.
It’s the only show in our guide staged inside a children’s story centre, so your ticket gets you a half-day out rather than just a performance.
Event details
Ages: 2–9 years
When: Monday 19 October – Sunday 8 November 2026
Where: Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford, E15
Prices: From £4, plus Story Centre entry (from around £11)
Penguin
Penguin is a puppet show about a boy called Ben who is given a toy penguin that won’t say a word. It’s based on Polly Dunbar’s award-winning picture book, and follows Ben’s increasingly desperate attempts to make his new friend talk.
Penguin is our top pick for those with younger toddlers who are eager to catch a show at Lyric Hammersmith. The 60-minute show has the lowest age guidance of everything playing there this autumn.
Event details
Ages: 2–8 years
When: Saturday 24 October 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
Club Origami
Club Origami is a dance show about the exciting things that can happen when you start folding and scrunching a single square of paper. The show’s two performers turn a stage full of paper into an imaginary world, using movement, live music and origami rather than a story.
Club Origami is a show we recommend if you’re worried about your little one’s attention span. At 40 minutes it’s among the shortest upcoming toddler theatre shows in London. Plus the stay-and-play afterwards will let them loose on the paper themselves.
Event details
Ages: 2–5 years
When: Sunday 25 October 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £13.75
Musical Magic Box
Musical Magic Box returns to Soho Theatre Walthamstow for a run that stretches from Halloween to just before Christmas. Prices are subject to demand, so booking early should get you the best deal.
The show itself is an interactive storytelling experience with live music. It’s led by Lottie and her Magic Box, with 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: Thursday 29 October – Saturday 19 December 2026
Where: Soho Theatre Walthamstow, E17
Prices: From £12 (one ticket covers an adult and a child)
Flotsam
Flotsam is an opera about a child who finds a camera washed up on the beach. It has one of the most interesting plot hooks of all the toddler theatre shows we’ve come across in London this autumn. This mysterious camera contains photographs of a hidden underwater world. As the show blurb puts it: ‘Turtles carry cities, starfish dance, octopuses read by lamplight – but who took the pictures and where will the camera travel next?’
Flotsam is the only opera we found across London that was made for toddlers. At 30 minutes it’s also among the shortest shows here, a plus for those nervous about whether their tot will sit through the whole thing.
If you can’t see Flotsam at Half Moon Theatre, it will also play at Grand Junction in Paddington on Saturday 14 November. You can also see it at North London’s Jacksons Lane on Sunday 15 November.
Event details
Ages: 2–5 years
When: Saturday 31 October 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
London theatre shows for older toddlers (3 years+)
| Best for | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Biggest show | The Smeds and the Smoos (Southbank Centre, SE1) | This Olivier-nominated musical plays the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the biggest venue in our guide. |
| Value | The Quest for Planet P, The Elves and the Shoemaker + All the Small Things (Half Moon, E1) | These Half Moon shows all cost £9, the best-priced upcoming theatre for 3 year olds we found across London. |
| A West End experience | Room on the Broom (Lyric Theatre, W1D) | It’s the only toddler theatre show we found opening in London’s West End between now and November. |
| Halloween | FRANKY (Lyric Hammersmith, W6) | It’s the only story-led Halloween show we found for toddlers in London this autumn. |
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: Saturday 10 October 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
Snip Snap! Rapunzel Retold
Snip Snap! Rapunzel Retold is a glove-puppet show that reimagines the classic tale of the princess with impossibly long hair. The show was created by Joy Haynes, who has a long history of working on enchanting puppet shows like Wow! Said the Owl.
Snip Snap! Rapunzel Retold promises 50 minutes of humour, magic and surprising costume transformations. At its heart are messages about things like belonging, independence and new beginnings.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Saturday 10 October 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
Toto
Toto is a musical that teaches little ones the importance of persistence when it comes to following their dreams. It’s about a young donkey who wants to become an astronaut rather than lug boxes around. Little fans of Ximo Abadía’s picture book will have met him already.
In this new 55-minute show, Toto sets off for the big city with a carrot-powered rocket. You have nearly a whole month of performances to pick from, as it will be playing at Polka Theatre until 1 November.
Event details
Ages: 3–8 years
When: Saturday 10 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £10
The Misadventures of Thor
The Misadventures of Thor is a puppet show in which two Viking storytellers act out a series of Norse myths about the gods.
We suggest this one for older toddlers, especially those who are just starting to dip their toes in the wonderful world of myths and legends. Its comedy and larger-than-life characters (and its 45-minute run time) make it a great introduction for those with shorter attention spans.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Saturday 17 October 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
The Quest for Planet P
The Quest for Planet P is an interactive show about two young aliens, Ozmo and Orbi, searching space for a new world to live on. But along the way, they begin to wonder whether the right thing to do is fix the home they know.
The Quest for Planet P is full of dancing, rhymes and even bubbles. Its performers engage with their little audience throughout the 60-minute show, which involves a workshop that explores belonging, friendship and our planet.
Event details
Ages: 3–11 years
When: Saturday 17 October 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
Nick Cope Family Show
Nick Cope Family Show is a live concert where the singer-songwriter plays his hits, with background animations. Many little ones will already know him from Nick Cope’s Popcast on CBeebies. So if you do go, expect plenty of singing along.
Most of the music shows for toddlers in London this winter that we found are aimed at babies or younger tots. But this one is aimed at 3 years and up.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Sunday 18 October 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £15
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo is a musical puppet show about a mouse who makes up a monster to scare off the predators he meets in the woods. But is his invention really made-up? Tall Stories’ adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic is now marking its 25th year on stage.
The Gruffalo is the best-value Julia Donaldson show we found playing in London this autumn. Your other option is The Smeds and the Smoos, playing at the Southbank Centre (where prices are sometimes driven up by demand).
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 October 2026
Where: Blackheath Halls, SE3
Prices: From £15 (under-16s; £17 adults, under-1s free)
The Elves and the Shoemaker
The Elves and the Shoemaker is a puppet show about an old cobbler who’s down to his last piece of leather. Just as it seems the evil factory owner is about to run him out of business, help arrives in a mysterious form.
The show features beautifully crafted puppets, original music and a comic mouse. As one review puts it, these ingredients make for “an amazing childhood experience of the very best kind.” It’s also one of eleven toddler theatre shows in London we found this autumn that you can see for under £10 per person. As with most Half Moon shows, tickets are £9, whichever show or seat you pick.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Saturday 24 October 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
Super Spooky Circus Cabaret for Kids
Super Spooky Circus Cabaret for Kids is a Halloween variety show with juggling, aerial acts and magic in place of a story.
Several performers take turns across the hour, and families are encouraged to show up in costume. It’s one of just two Halloween shows for toddlers in London we saw this year, and the only one that runs right across half term and into November.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Tuesday 27 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: From £10
The Librarians
Told in British Sign Language and spoken English at the same time, The Librarians is a show about a magical library. Nothing is translated after the fact, so deaf and hearing families follow the same story together from the start.
The Librarians is the cheapest toddler show in our guide, with pay-what-you-decide tickets starting at £1. That said, it’s recommended for 4 years and up so may not be suitable for most tots.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Tuesday 27 October 2026
Where: Deptford Lounge, SE8
Prices: Pay what you decide, from £1
FRANKY
FRANKY is a musical about a lonely professor who builds herself a companion one stormy night. With help from her robot assistant Igor and another new friend, her creation must win over the grumpy villagers who are scared of him.
FRANKY features catchy songs, a hook-a-duck game and the chance to learn a new dance: The Franky Walk. It’s the only story-led Halloween show we found for toddlers in London this autumn. It’s also the only Little Lyric show running across half term, rather than a single Saturday.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 October 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £12
The Smeds and the Smoos
The Smeds and the Smoos is a musical about two families of aliens who aren’t allowed to be friends. Until a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and fly off into space together, that is.
The Olivier Award-nominated show is staged by Tall Stories, the company behind The Gruffalo. It plays at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the biggest venue in this guide. This makes it the priciest Julia Donaldson option, at £22, but also a memorable outing for young theatre-goers.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Wednesday 28 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Prices: From £22
Grow: Highly Sprung
Grow is a physical theatre show about the natural world, performed by a dance company rather than puppeteers or actors. Little ones are invited into the performance space to join in, meaning it will feel more like a guided adventure than a show you sit and watch.
It’s one of the few shows in our guide designed around the Early Years Foundation Stage, which makes it a good fit if your toddler is already at nursery or in reception.
Event details
Ages: 3–7 years
When: Sunday 8 November 2026
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: From £12.50
The Sleep Show
The Sleep Show could be a worthwhile theatre trip for any toddlers who struggle with bedtime. The dance theatre piece is all about the tricky business of trying to fall asleep.
Through dance, the show explores bedtime battles like fidgeting, nagging thoughts and feelings. You may even come away with some tricks to try at home for calmer evenings. The 45-minute show is followed by 10 minutes of stay-and-play.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November 2026
Where: Jacksons Lane, Highgate, N6
Prices: From £10
Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom is a musical about a witch who keeps making space on her broomstick for animals who need a ride.
The classic Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book was brought to the stage by Tall Stories, the company behind The Gruffalo show. It plays the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, making it the only West End show in our toddler theatre guide this winter.
Event details
Ages: 3–10 years
When: Friday 27 November 2026 – Friday 1 January 2027
Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D
Prices: £12
All the Small Things
All the Small Things is a puppet show about a traveller who gets lost deep in the woods and stumbles upon the home of the Story Collector. With her cabinet full of baddies, goodies and once-upon-a-times, can she help the traveller find his way?
The show puts a new spin on familiar fairytales through props, puppetry, physical comedy and original songs. It’s the last of Half Moon’s six shows in our guide, more than any other venue this autumn.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Friday 27 – Saturday 28 November 2026
Where: Half Moon Theatre, Limehouse, E1
Prices: £9
Antarctica
Antarctica uses puppets and physical comedy to tell the story of an expedition to the South Pole. On their travels, explorers meet penguins, albatrosses and creatures from the deep.
It comes from Olivier Award-winning company Little Bulb, who will be turning Polka’s Adventure Theatre into a snowy world for the festive season. The first weekend had sold out by early October, so we recommend booking soon.
Event details
Ages: 3–7 years
When: Friday 27 November 2026 – Sunday 17 January 2027
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £18 (plus £2.50 booking fee); babes in arms £1
Christmas toddler theatre in London starting in November
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights is a show about two friends, Alvie and Kit, as they try to light up their house in time for Christmas. The fun really starts when they find out the lights have a mind of their own.
If you’re the parent of younger toddler who’s eager to catch something festive but doesn’t want to wait for December, Christmas Lights is your best bet. It’s the only Christmas show starting in November that’s aimed at tots as young as 1 year old.
Event details
Ages: 1–4 years
When: Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 November 2026
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19
Prices: From £14
Santa’s First Christmas
Santa’s First Christmas is a world premiere. Adapted from the picture book by Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith, it tells the story of how Santa came to be Santa.
Santa’s First Christmas runs for seven weeks at the Unicorn, the UK’s biggest theatre dedicated to children. At £10 it’s the cheapest Christmas show on our list that you can see from November, despite being the longest-running and the only new production among them.
Event details
Ages: 4 years+
When: Saturday 14 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Where: Unicorn Theatre, London Bridge, SE1
Prices: From £10
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas is a stage version of the classic book. It follows a grumpy Santa who would rather be on holiday than doing his rounds.
Co-produced with the Olivier-nominated Pins & Needles Productions, the show is a Lyric Hammersmith fixture that comes back most years. Its six-week run makes it the longest Christmas show in this guide to toddler theatre shows in London (outside the two that stretch into January).
Event details
Ages: Under 6 years
When: Wednesday 18 November – Sunday 27 December 2026
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Prices: From £15 (plus £2 per basket)
Dear Santa
In Dear Santa, the man in red tries to find the perfect present for a girl called Sarah, with help from a cheeky Elf.
It comes from Rod Campbell, who you may know as the writer of Dear Zoo. It’s also brought to the stage by the team behind the Dear Zoo show, Norwell Lapley. Every child meets Santa afterwards and goes home with a gift, something no other Christmas show in our guide offers.
Event details
Ages: 2–6 years
When: Saturday 28 November – Thursday 24 December 2026
Where: Battersea Arts Centre, SW11
Prices: Pay what you can in November (recommended £15), £16.50 from 1 December, £18 from 19 December, plus a £2 transaction fee
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure is a puppet show about a puppy who can’t sleep on Christmas Eve because he’s too worried about finding the right present for his owner.
There’s plenty of ways to join in across the 35 minutes. If your little one is in the audience, they’ll get to help Scruff on his search.
It’s the only Christmas show in our guide from Little Angel, London’s specialist puppet theatre.
Event details
Ages: 3–6 years
When: Saturday 28 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Where: Little Angel Theatre, Islington, N1
Prices: From £8.50
Petit Pierre and The Stolen Moon
Petit Pierre and The Stolen Moon follows a boy and his sidekick Gedeon as they try to stop a Bad Santa who wants to ruin the Christmas season.
It’s a returning favourite at the Well Walk Theatre, a small but much-loved venue in Hampstead.
Its age guidance is 3 to 103, so parents and grandparents should be just as enchanted by this theatre show as toddlers.
Event details
Ages: 3 years+
When: Sunday 29 November – Sunday 20 December 2026
Where: The Well Walk Theatre, Hampstead, NW3
Prices: Around £15.90 per person
Baby Broadway Christmas
Baby Broadway Christmas will put on a festive concert at artsdepot where two West End singers perform showtunes from Elf, White Christmas, The Snowman and Frozen.
Beyond the magical music there will be bubbles, bells and puppetry to enjoy. Festive fancy dress is encouraged. At 0–8 it has the widest age range of any Christmas show in our guide, so you can take a newborn as readily as their school-age siblings.
Event details
Ages: 0–8 years
When: Sunday 29 November 2026
Where: artsdepot, North Finchley, N12
Prices: From £13.75
What are the best theatres for toddlers in London?
The best theatre for toddlers in London right now is Half Moon in Limehouse. It will put on six shows for under-5s in October and November 2026, more than any other theatre in London, based on our review.
Half Moon is also the best theatre for toddlers by range, with shows for every age from newborns upwards. Jacksons Lane in Highgate and Lyric Hammersmith are next, with five shows each.
Below we’ve picked out the best toddler theatre in each corner of London.
East London: Half Moon Theatre
In East London, Limehouse’s Half Moon offers the most reliable value for toddler theatre in London. Every ticket costs £9, whichever show you pick and wherever you sit.
It also has six productions in our guide, more than any other venue. Another plus is that every performance is relaxed, which isn’t always the case among London theatres.
North London: Jacksons Lane
Jacksons Lane in Highgate is one of the busiest venues in our guide, with five shows. These are aimed mostly at older toddlers, though. Only two of their shows are suitable for 2 year olds.
North London is also home to artsdepot in Finchley, which has four shows for tots. For puppetry, head to Little Angel in Islington, where puppets have been the focus since 1961.
South London: Polka Theatre
Most of the year, we find that Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is the strongest all-round choice for family friendly theatre. The whole building was designed with children in mind, with two theatres and free indoor and outdoor play areas.
This lets you turn a show into a bigger day out. South London also has the Unicorn near London Bridge, the UK’s biggest theatre dedicated to children.
West London: Lyric Hammersmith
Lyric Hammersmith is best for choice for toddler theatre shows in West London, with five shows in our guide. Its Little Lyric programme puts on a different family show most Saturdays, alongside longer runs over half term and Christmas.
For value, try Grand Junction in Paddington. The venue runs a pay-what-you-can scheme where you choose between £4, £7 and £10 per person.
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 best theatre shows for babies are gentle, sensory sessions and relaxed concerts made for under-2s. Home Song at the Unicorn is our top pick in terms of upcoming London theatre shows for toddlers. Bach to Baby also run relaxed classical concerts at venues across London.
Two-year-olds tend to enjoy short, story-led shows with puppets and songs. Pip and Posy Live on Stage at Little Angel Theatre is a good example. Older toddlers of 3 and up can sit a little longer, which opens up bigger productions like The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.
Can I take a 2-year-old to the theatre?
You can take a 2-year-old to the theatre, as long as you pick the right show. Look for early-years performances with age guidance starting at 0–2 or 2–4. Relaxed performances are another good option, as nobody minds if your little one wriggles or makes noise.
Puppet and music-based shows tend to work best for this age. Venues like Polka, Little Angel, Unicorn and Half Moon cater specifically to toddlers. Every performance at Half Moon is a relaxed one, which makes it a safe bet for a first trip.
Are West End shows suitable for 0–2s?
Most West End theatres set a minimum age of between 3 and 5. Many don’t admit babies at all, or advise against bringing under-3s because of the volume, length and content.
For 0–2s, we recommend early-years theatres and relaxed concerts instead. Once your child turns 3, Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is a gentle way into the West End.
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 Half Moon, Jacksons Lane, Lyric Hammersmith, Polka, artsdepot and the Unicorn. New early-years runs and relaxed performances are added throughout the year.
How much does toddler theatre in London cost?
Toddler theatre in London costs roughly £12 per person on average, based on our review of 38 shows. Eleven of those cost under £10 a ticket.
The cheapest show we found is The Librarians at Deptford Lounge, where you pay what you decide from £1. But that’s aimed at ages 4 and up.
Grand Junction in Paddington is the best-value venue with regular toddler theatre shows. Their pay-what-you-can ticket prices start from £4.
In East London, Half Moon charges a flat £9 for every show and seat. At the other end, tickets for The Smeds and the Smoos at the Southbank Centre start at £22.
What’s the best age to take a toddler to the theatre?
The best age to take a toddler to the theatre is 3, simply because that’s when the most shows open up. Of the 38 shows in our guide, 20 are aimed at 3-year-olds and over.
You don’t have to wait, though. Six shows are made for babies, and another 12 welcome 1 and 2-year-olds. These tend to be shorter, gentler and more sensory, with room to move around.
How long are toddler theatre shows?
Toddler theatre shows usually run between 30 and 60 minutes, with no interval. The shortest upcoming shows in London we found are Home Song at the Unicorn and Flotsam at Half Moon, both 30 minutes.
Shows made for babies tend to be shortest, and are often followed by a stay-and-play session. Shows for 3-year-olds and over usually run closer to an hour.
Which London theatre has the most toddler shows?
The London theatre we found with the most upcoming toddler shows is Half Moon in Limehouse, with six shows for under-5s in October and November. It also covers the widest range, with shows for every age from newborns upwards.
Jacksons Lane in Highgate and Lyric Hammersmith are joint second with five each, followed by artsdepot on four. Polka Theatre and the Unicorn each have three.
When do Christmas shows for toddlers start in London?
Christmas theatre for toddlers in London starts around mid-November. Seven festive shows we found open next month, with the earliest two playing from 14 November.
Christmas Lights at Polka is the one to know if your little one is still very young, as it welcomes children from age 1. Several festive runs continue into January, so there’s no need to squeeze a trip into December.
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.