Looking for ways to entertain the family in London this spring? How about a trip to the theatre?
London’s stages are packed with options, from upbeat musicals, to adaptations of beloved children’s books, to unusual takes on Shakespeare. Disney, Alice in Wonderland, Studio Ghibli and Harry Potter regularly feature too. Whether you’re looking to entertain toddlers, teenagers — or any age in between — here’s our pick of the best family-friendly theatre shows and musicals in London right now and throughout the rest of 2026. Get booking!
Family-friendly musicals in London: spring 2026
DISNEY’S HERCULES: It was only a matter of time before someone made a stage musical out of Disney’s 1997 animated film, itself, of course, based on a (slightly older) Greek myth. Disney’s Hercules is at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, promising “a wise-cracking, column-shaking, underworld-rocking ride of adventure, self-discovery and love. In tunics”. Age six+. Currently booking until July 2026
THE LION KING: A perennial favourite that’s been running for over 25 years, and with good reason. Watch Simba’s adventures on the Serengeti come to life in The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, told through stirring puppetry and live music. Top tip: if you’re buying tickets for the stalls, go for aisle seats to get a good view as the cast weaves down the aisles mid-performance. Age six+. Currently booking until November 2026
PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL: Everyone’s favourite Peruvian import gets the West End treatment as Paddington The Musical takes place at the Savoy Theatre this autumn. Designed for age six+ it uses music and choreography to tell the story of the bear’s arrival at Paddington station, and how he adapts to London life. Currently booking until February 2027
MATILDA: Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius is transformed into a musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company — and Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre is as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. All the charming detail of Dahl’s original words remain, with catchy Tim Minchin songs levelling the whole thing up. Age six+. Currently booking until January 2027
MAMMA MIA!: Show the kids there’s more to ABBA than bopping to Dancing Queen at family weddings. Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre takes the super Swedish quartet’s tunes and plants them on a Greek island, as one young woman tries to figure out who her real father is shortly before she gets married. Colourful, catchy and upbeat, it’s everything ABBA should be. Age five+. Currently booking until September 2026
STARLIGHT EXPRESS: A 40+ cast on roller skates tells the story of a child’s train set coming to life, in Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s high-octane musical sees Rusty the steam train inspired to become the fastest engine in the world. Be warned: your children will want to take up roller skating after seeing this. Currently booking until May 2026
BACK TO THE FUTURE: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”. Introduce your family to the time-travelling japes of teenager Marty McFly and batty scientist Doc Brown in Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre. Starting out in the 1980s, the unlikely duo build a time machine out of a DeLorean, transporting them back to the 1950s, for an oedipal caper like no other. Great Scott! Age six+. Currently booking until April 2026
Children’s theatre shows to see in spring 2026
MIDNIGHT IN THE TOYSHOP: Created with all ages in mind, Midnight in the Toyshop at St Martin’s Theatre brings a magical toyshop to life as the clock strikes 12, and the toys face an uncertain future as an entrepreneur wants to replace their cosy home with a high-tech AI adventure. Catchy songs and dances are thrown in. 7-12 April 2026
GREATEST SHOWMAN CIRCUS: Circus show meets West End musical in Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular at Empress Museum in West Brompton. Inspired by the 2017 film of the same name — but minus Hugh Jackman, sorry — a brand new storyline plays out in a 700-seat big top, featuring songs from the film. Age six+. Currently booking until September 2026
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO: The much-loved Royal Shakespeare Company production of 1988 Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro plays out on stage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The show — which has already scooped six Olivier Awards — features elaborate sets that shift from village to forest to school, small and huge-scale puppetry, and a small orchestra performing a new arrangement of the original score. It’s the story of two sisters exploring the forest near their new home, and is as charming for adults as it is for children. Age six+. Currently booking until August 2026
Top London musicals and theatre shows for teenagers and older kids
Teenagers can be trickier: too mature for sing-along puppet shows, not quite ready for adult shows. These productions tow the line perfectly — buy them an ice cream in the interval and they might even admit to enjoying themselves.
HARRY POTTER: Drawing in Potterheads since 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an unusual set-up, in that it consists of two parts, each more than 2.5 hours long. Your ticket includes both parts, one in the afternoon and the second later that evening. As for the storyline, it picks up almost two decades after Harry, Ron and Hermione left Hogwarts… but we won’t give anything else away. Age 10+. Currently booking until September 2026. After this date, the show will magically transform from its current format into a single performance, with a run time of just under three hours with one interval.
SIX: It’s the Tudors, but not as you know them. SIX The Musical at Vaudeville Theatre empowers the six wives of Henry VIII, who tell their own stories in their own words, backed by all-female band, the Ladies in Waiting. History becomes herstory. Age 10+. Currently booking until January 2027
HAMILTON: Still going strong, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton at the Victoria Palace spins the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, from his involvement in the American Civil War, to his career as a lawyer and his marriage to Eliza Schuyler. The soundtrack is mainly hip-hop, and it does help to have a bit of background about the historical context, so give the kids the lowdown before you go. Age 10+. Currently booking until October 2026
WICKED: Wizard of Oz prequel Wicked casts its spell over the Apollo Victoria. BBC News dubbed it “one of the most successful musicals of all time”, so provided your children can handle a couple of dark/borderline scary bits, it’s a spellbinding introduction to musical theatre at its finest. Age seven+. Currently booking until January 2027
