If you’re looking to take in a theatre show with the kids in London this summer, there’s a wide variety to choose from.
From silly singalongs to science explosions and puppet magic, here are some of the best live shows for families to enjoy this August.
The Baddies
Date: Fri 1 Aug – Sun 24 Aug
Time: 10.30am | 1.00pm | 3.30pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Cadogan Hall, SW1
Prices: from £19.50
From the team behind The Gruffalo, this action-packed show features three famous villains trying (and mostly failing) to be bad. It’s fast-paced, funny and a great choice for kids who love a bit of cheeky chaos.
Ministry of Science Live
Date: Thu 7 – Thu 14 Aug
Time: 3.30pm
Ages: 6 yrs+
Where: Alexandra Palace, N22
Prices: from £26.80
Expect explosions, experiments and lots of audience participation in this high-energy science show. It’s a clever way to sneak in some learning while keeping older kids glued to their seats.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Date: until Sun 7 Sept
Time: 11.00am | 1.30pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1
Prices: from £12.00
This classic story is brought to life with colourful sets, songs and lots of silliness. A gentle and charming introduction to theatre for little ones who love the book.
CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE
Date: until Sun 7 Sept
Time: 10.30am | 1.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: St. Martin’s Theatre, WC2
Prices: from £12.80
Join JJ and friends for a lively, interactive show full of familiar songs and dance moves. It’s a toddler favourite and perfect for first-time theatre-goers.
Fireman Sam Live – The Great Camping Adventure
Date: Wed 13 – Thu 14 Aug
Time: 10.00am | 1.00pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Alexandra Palace, N22
Prices: from £26.80
Fireman Sam springs into action when a campfire gets out of hand. Expect catchy tunes, big smiles and a reminder not to play with matches.
Natural History Museum – Dinosaurs Live!
Date: Fri 15 – Sun 17 Aug
Time: 10.00am | 1.00pm | 3.30pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Alexandra Palace, N22
Prices: from £26.80
Meet prehistoric creatures in this lifelike show featuring animatronic dinosaurs and roars that’ll rattle your seat. Great for little dino fans who want more than just a museum visit.
Spot’s Birthday Party
Date: Fri 22 – Mon 25 Aug
Time: 10.30am | 1.00pm | 2.00pm
Ages: 2 yrs+
Where: Rose Theatre, KT1
Prices: from £7.50
A playful and gentle show celebrating everyone’s favourite puppy, full of songs, surprises and simple storytelling. Ideal for the youngest theatre-goers.
CBeebies Prom: A Magical Bedtime Story
Date: Mon 24 Aug
Time: 12.30pm | 3.30pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Royal Albert Hall, SW7
Prices: from £10.00
Settle in for a musical adventure at the Royal Albert Hall with familiar CBeebies faces. It’s a relaxed concert experience that ends in the cosiest way — with a bedtime story.
Theatre on Kew: The Dream Fairies
Date: until Sun 31 Aug
Time: 10.30am | 2.00pm
Ages: all ages
Where: Kew Gardens, TW9
Prices: from £23.75 per adult
An outdoor adventure with fairies, music and woodland magic — perfect for a summer’s day at Kew Gardens. Bring a picnic and let your little ones dress up as fairies or elves.
Supertato
Date: until Tue 30 Sep
Time: 11.35am
Ages: 2–7 yrs
Where: Discover Children’s Story Centre, E15
Prices: from £3.50 + admission
Based on the bestselling books, this laugh-out-loud show follows Supertato on a mission to stop the Evil Pea. Full of silliness, suspense and vegetable-based drama.
The Smeds and the Smoos
Date: until Sun 7 Sept
Time: 11.00am | 10.30am | 2.00pm
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Lyric Theatre, W1
Prices: from £10.00
A joyful, rhyming tale about friendship across differences, brought to life with catchy songs and colourful characters. Great for preschoolers and early readers.
Transport Explorers: A Live Show
Date: until Sun 31 Aug
Time: 11.00am | 1.00pm | 3.00pm
Ages: 7 yrs+
Where: London Transport Museum, WC2
Prices: from £12.00
Budding engineers and train lovers will enjoy this live show packed with fun transport facts. Held at the London Transport Museum, it’s a great way to combine learning and play.
Children’s Puppet Festival 2025
Date: until Sun 31 Aug
Time: various times
Ages: 3 yrs+
Where: Little Angel Theatre, N1
Prices: from £9.50
A summer-long celebration of puppetry with a changing line-up of shows for different age groups. Expect inventive storytelling and engaging performances in an intimate setting.
Younger kids who love the book will enjoy The Tiger Who Came to Tea, while CoComelon Live is perfect for toddlers who can’t resist a singalong.
If your little one’s into fairies and outdoor play, The Dream Fairies at Kew is a special interactive theatre experience only on in the summer.
For families with older kids, Ministry of Science or Dinosaurs Live! deliver big impact and fun facts. And for a gentle first show, Spot’s Birthday Party is short, sweet and made for under 5s.