Best West End Shows for Kids and Families

The West End has a strong selection of family-friendly productions, but not every show is suited to every age group. This guide covers the best options for children and families, with notes on age suitability and what to expect, so you can make an informed choice before booking. For the latest dates and availability, browse BritishTheatre.com or book through tickadoo. Disney's The Lion King remains one of the strongest choices for families in the West End. Recommended for ages six and above, it follows the journey of Simba, a young lion heir navigating loss and responsibility in the African savanna. Julie Taymor's staging, built around large-scale puppetry, masks and African-inspired choreography, creates a sense of spectacle that captivates children and adults alike from the very first scene. Children under three are not admitted. The production uses smoke, fog, strobe lighting and loud noises, worth considering for younger or more sensitive children. The running time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval. The show plays at the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden, with the nearest tube at Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line. See the Lion King show page for current availability. Matilda the Musical is one of the cleverest family shows in the West End. Based on Roald Dahl's story with a score by Tim Minchin, it follows a gifted girl who refuses to accept the unkindness of the adults around her. The writing is sharp and funny, treating children with intelligence rather than condescension, and the staging is inventive throughout. Recommended for ages six and above. It runs at the Cambridge Theatre in Covent Garden. This is also a strong choice if children in your group have read and loved the book, as the show captures Dahl's irreverent spirit well. Wicked is recommended for ages seven and above, with children under five not admitted. It tells the story of the two witches of Oz before Dorothy's arrival, and the combination of a soaring score, recognisable characters and large production values makes it engaging for older children and teenagers as well as adults. Anyone aged 15 or under must sit directly next to an accompanying adult. The running time is approximately two hours and 45 minutes including an interval, making it one of the longer shows in the West End. Plan accordingly, particularly for younger children. See the Wicked show page for dates and the Apollo Victoria Theatre page for venue information. Disney's Hercules at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane brings the animated film to a stage suited to its scale. The story of a young demigod discovering his strength and identity is bright, energetic and accessible. Families who enjoyed the original film will find much to enjoy in the live production, and the grandeur of Drury Lane adds to the occasion. Check the Hercules show page for age guidance and current availability. Starlight Express is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical unlike anything else in the West End. Performers on roller skates play anthropomorphic trains racing through the auditorium, and the energy and spectacle of the production make it particularly engaging for younger audiences. For children who enjoy trains, racing and high-octane performance, it is hard to beat. Check the Starlight Express show page for age recommendations and availability. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays at the Palace Theatre and is generally recommended for older children and teenagers rather than younger ones. The story picks up nineteen years after the original books, following Harry's son Albus as he grapples with his father's legendary status. The theatrical magic of the production is extraordinary, with illusions and staging that have to be seen to be believed. Check the show page for specific age guidance before booking. Age recommendations are the most important starting point. A five-year-old who loves trains will have a very different experience at Starlight Express than a ten-year-old who has read all the Harry Potter books. Think about what your children are genuinely interested in, and use the age guidance on each show page to sense-check the choice. Running times also matter. Two hours and 45 minutes is a long time for a young child, and it is worth checking whether your group can manage the full duration comfortably. For shorter attention spans, afternoon matinees with an earlier finish time tend to be more manageable than evening shows. For the best seats for families, consider the Stalls at both the Lyceum and Cambridge Theatre, where children get a close view of the action. Avoid seats too close to the stage at the Apollo Victoria, where the elevated stage can create a sharp upward angle from the front rows. Matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays are the most popular performance time for families and tend to sell out earlier than evening shows, so book in advance. School holidays and half terms see particularly high demand across all family-friendly shows. You can find all family shows and browse availability on BritishTheatre.com. To book, tickadoo is a straightforward option for finding seats across the West End. What is the best West End show for a five-year-old? Most West End shows have a minimum age of six or above. The Lion King and Matilda are both suitable from age six and are among the most engaging options for younger children. Check each show's page for the specific minimum age and any content advisories. What is the best West End show for teenagers? Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Wicked and Hamilton are all particularly well-suited to teenagers. Each offers strong storytelling alongside the spectacle, and all three have won large followings among younger audiences. Do children need their own ticket? Yes. All audience members, regardless of age, require a valid ticket. Most shows do not admit children under a stated minimum age even with a ticket. How far in advance should I book family shows? For popular shows during school holidays and half terms, booking several weeks in advance is advisable. For flexible dates outside peak periods, there is usually more choice available closer to the performance date.