Top 12 children's theatres in London

Keep the kids entertained with circus, spoken word, dance and family shows at The Albany in Deptford. A London theatre at the heart of its community, it also has a welcoming cafe and child-friendly patio garden.

Artsdepot is a cultural hub that regularly hosts children's events and has won awards for its family-friendly work. See a range of children’s theatre shows, or let the little ones enjoy the play area and kids’ activities, including messy play and yoga.

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that creates fun-filled productions for all ages. Enjoy an excellent programme of children’s entertainment, from interactive workshops to family-friendly shows.

Discover the Colour House Theatre, located close to the riverside in Merton Abbey Mills. This venue is well-known for its brilliant family theatre shows, having built a reputation for musical adaptations of fairytales.

Housed in an imaginatively converted Edwardian church in Highgate, Jacksons Lane arts centre has a strong programme of children's theatre and welcomes touring companies from all over the world. It is also well-known for producing and promoting contemporary circus work.

Head to the Little Angel Theatre to see its team of puppeteers perform magical marionette shows. Established in 1961, the theatre stands next to the workshop where puppets and productions are developed. Little ones can even take part in puppet-making workshops and school holiday clubs at the nearby Little Angel Studios.

Visit the Lyric Hammersmith on Saturday mornings or during the school holidays to enjoy some of the finest children’s shows in London. The venue’s Little Lyric programme is aimed at kids aged from two to 11 years old.

The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is dedicated to presenting theatre to young audiences. This child-friendly venue offers a range of exciting productions, from comedy shows to classic stories. Kids can also have fun in its playground, cafe, garden and toy-filled foyer.

Explore the waterways of London and you might find the Puppet Theatre Barge, a moving theatre housed in a boat. The theatre presents marionette and rod puppet shows throughout the year, spending the winter in Little Venice and the summer in Richmond.

The Rose Theatre Kingston has earned a reputation for staging fantastic family performances. When it’s not showing its own productions, you can see some of the best touring children’s theatre shows.

Pay a visit to London Bridge's Unicorn Theatre and experience one of the coolest theatres for kids in London. This state-of-the-art venue welcomes more than 60,000 children each year to see productions that often push the boundaries of theatre for young people.