The 12 Best Broadway Shows for Kids in NYC 2024
Shows are surely one of the most special things to do in New York with kids. When talking about the best Broadway shows in New York for kids, Disney musicals are almost unbeaten. Yet, there are several more shows in NYC beyond Disney musicals that are geared towards children. So here’s a list of kid-friendly shows in New York.
My tip: Here you will find all Broadway shows, but also Off-Broadway shows and plays on Broadway.
Tips for a Memorable Musical Visit with Kids
- Book your tickets at least 2 months before your trip, so you get the seats you want and you can be sure that the show is not sold out yet.
- The best seats in Broadway theaters are in the middle of the theater and as far to the front as possible, there you will have the best acoustics and view.
- Plan enough time to look for your seats and maybe buy some snacks.
- Especially when you are visiting with children, it is important to make the musical as interactive as possible: clapping and singing along will also cheer the showmen.
- Familiarize yourself with the play beforehand so that your children will be more excited and understand the plot more quickly.
- Special experiences require great souvenirs: often you can buy cute little stuffed animals or shirts, which will give your children a moment to remember.
Amazing Explore Kid-Friendly Shows in NYC
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01 The Lion King
There’s no denying that the Lion King is one of the best Broadway shows, period. However, especially when you are traveling as a family, the Lion King is a great choice because it’s enjoyable for adults and kids alike. It’s bringing to life one of Disney’s most popular movies and truly immerses you into the heartfelt coming-of-age story.
- Recommended for ages 6 and up
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02 Aladdin
Another one of New York’s top Broadway shows is Disney’s Aladdin! With a show like this, you can never go wrong! There is no doubt that your kids will love it, too. The stage design is out of this world, giving you so much to marvel at. Keep an eye out for the magic carpet; visitors are still speculating about how it works.
- Recommended for ages 6 and up
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03 Wicked The Musical
Wicked is a prequel to the story of The Wizard of Oz that tells the story of Elphaba before she became the Wicked Witch of the West. Elphaba and her classmate Glinda are two witches that could not be any more different, yet they develop a profound friendship. The musical Wicked will always be a crowd-favorite and its popular song “Defying Gravity” gives us goosebumps every time.
- Recommended for ages 8 and up
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04 Gazillion Bubble Show
Are you looking for a fun Broadway show that’s kid-friendly? Check out the Gazillion Bubble Show at New World Stages – Stage Two at 340 West 50th Street, New York, NY. Created by Fan Yang, the Gazillion Bubble Show that is designed like an air light slip that’s actually a children’s variety show built on one subject.
Fan Yang, also known as the Master of Bubbles, brought his unique and exciting brand of bubble artistry to Broadway in 2007. And since then, he’s been wowing crowds of all ages. Families love this show because it features Fan Yang, his wife, two children, and his brother. Expect to see lots of mind-blowing bubble magic, striking laser light shows, and you may even find yourself inside of a bubble! Don’t miss this 65-minute masterpiece, and don’t forget to bring the entire family!
- Recommended for ages 2 and up
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05 Life of Pi - CLOSED
Life of Pi, winner of 5 Olivier Awards, including ‘Best New Play,’ is coming to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Based on one of the most extraordinary and best-loved works of fiction, this epic journey follows the story of sixteen-year-old Pi, who is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena, and a Royal Bengal tiger – after their cargo ship sinks in the vast Pacific Ocean. With time against them and nature harsh, the question remains – who will survive?
- Recommended for ages 10 and up
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06 Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an original new story by J.K. Rowling. The story takes place many years after Harry Potter’s last adventure “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” at the end of which, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco are bringing their own children to the Hogwarts Express.
That’s where the story picks up. When Harry Potter’s son Albus first arrives at Hogwarts, not only must he face the challenge of living up to his famous father’s reputation but also must carve his own path in the school’s hallowed halls. Nothing is ever simple in Hogwarts and Albus’ adventure is both nostalgic for fans of the original series and packs plenty of its own twists and surprises for seasoned and new viewers alike.
- Recommended for ages 8 and up
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07 Kimberly Akimbo
Catch this brand-new Broadway show at the Booth Theatre beginning on November 22, 2022. Imagine being a teenager from New Jersey who happens to look like she’s 72 years old. That’s precisely what you get with Kimberly Akimbo.
This show stars Victoria Clark, a Tony Award-winning actress, who stars as Kim. She’s just your average funny and bright teen girl from Jersey. Or is she? Not exactly! She has an aging disease that makes her look like she’s 72. Yet, that’s not even the worst of her problems. Between possible felony charges, borderline personalities, and maneuvering family secrets, Kim tries to be happy even when the universe seems to be against her.
- Recommended for ages 10 and up
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08 Some Like It Hot - CLOSED
Are you a fan of the 1959 musical film Some Like It Hot? If so, you don’t want to miss the Broadway production musical! It was written by Matthew Lopez and will be directed by Casey Nicholaw and will star some popular Broadway names such as Christian Borle, Adam Heller, and Kevin Del Aguila.
Broadway’s Some Like It Hot presents one of Hollywood’s most iconic comedies on the big stage. You won’t want to miss this sassy, brassy, fast-paced, cross-country romp as two BFFs run for their lives. On the lookout for true love, will they succeed?
- Recommended for ages 12 and up
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09 New York, New York - CLOSED
New York, New York, the brand-new musical that brings Broadway legends back together, is coming to the St. James Theatre. The story takes place in 1946, as a group of artists with big dreams tries to make it in a city that is rebuilding after the war. As these singers, dancers, musicians, and makers strive for success in a place where only the toughest survive, they learn that if they can make it in New York, they can make it anywhere.
- Recommended for ages 12 and up
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10 Peter Pan Goes Wrong - CLOSED
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a comedy from the team behind the award-winning global success The Play That Goes Wrong. The classic story of Peter Pan is reinterpreted here, as the protagonists of the play have to fight against the whims of technology on their way to Neverland. Hilarious misadventures keep happening to them along the way.
- Recommended for ages 8 and up
Age Limits and Recommended Ages
Here I’ve put together for you the current age restrictions or age recommendations for children, so the whole family can have fun at Broadway shows and plays.
Sorted by show/play
Broadway Shows & Plays | Recommended for | Children <4 years permitted in theatre? |
|---|---|---|
& Juliet | Ages 8 | - |
Aladdin | Ages 6 | * under 2 years |
Anthony rapp's without you | Ages 12 | |
A Beautiful Noise | All Ages | |
Back to the Future | Ages 6 | |
Bad Cinderella | Ages 12 | |
Blue Man Group | Ages 3 | * under 3 years |
Camelot | Ages 10 | |
Chicago | Ages 12 | |
Death Drop | Ages 15 | |
Fat Ham | Ages 8 | |
Funny Girl | Ages 10 | |
Gazillion Bubbles Show | Ages 2 | |
Good Night, Oscar | Ages 12 | |
Grey House | Ages 12 | |
Hadestown | Ages 8 | |
Hamilton | Ages 10 | |
Harry Potter | Ages 8 | * under 5 years |
Here Lies Love | Ages 12 | |
Kimberly Akimbo | Ages 10 | |
Leopoldstadt | Ages 10 | |
Life of Pi | Ages 10 | |
Little Shop of Horrors | Ages 5 | |
MJ The Musical | Ages 8 | |
Moulin Rouge! | Ages 12 | |
New York, New York | Ages 12 | |
Once Upon A One More Time | Ages 10 | |
Peter Pan Goes Wrong | Ages 8 | |
Prima Facie | Ages 12 | - |
Rock and Roll | Ages 7 | |
SIX | Ages 10 | |
Shucked | Ages 10 | |
Some Like It Hot | Ages 12 | |
Summer, 1976 | Ages 12 | - |
Sweeney Todd | Ages 12 | |
The Cottage | Ages 16 | |
The Lion King | Ages 6 | * under 2 years |
The Play That Goes Wrong | Ages 8 | - |
The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window | Ages 12 | |
Wicked | Ages 8 | * under 5 years |
Sorted by recommended ages
Broadway Shows & Plays | Recommended for | Children <4 years permitted in theatre? |
|---|---|---|
Gazillion Bubbles Show | Ages 2 | |
Blue Man Group | Ages 3 | * under 3 years |
Little Shop of Horrors | Ages 5 | |
Aladdin | Ages 6 | * under 2 years |
The Lion King | Ages 6 | * under 2 years |
Back to the Future | Ages 6 | |
Rock and Roll | Ages 7 | |
& Juliet | Ages 8 | - |
Fat Ham | Ages 8 | |
Hadestown | Ages 8 | |
Harry Potter | Ages 8 | * under 5 years |
MJ The Musical | Ages 8 | |
Peter Pan Goes Wrong | Ages 8 | |
The Play That Goes Wrong | Ages 8 | - |
Wicked | Ages 8 | * under 5 years |
Camelot | Ages 10 | |
Funny Girl | Ages 10 | |
Hamilton | Ages 10 | |
Kimberly Akimbo | Ages 10 | |
Leopoldstadt | Ages 10 | |
Shucked | Ages 10 | |
Life of Pi | Ages 10 | |
Once Upon A One More Time | Ages 10 | |
SIX | Ages 10 | |
Prima Facie | Ages 12 | - |
Summer, 1976 | Ages 12 | - |
New York, New York | Ages 12 | |
Sweeney Todd | Ages 12 | |
The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window | Ages 12 | |
Moulin Rouge! | Ages 12 | |
Some Like It Hot | Ages 12 | |
Here Lies Love | Ages 12 | |
Good Night, Oscar | Ages 12 | |
Bad Cinderella | Ages 12 | |
Grey House | Ages 12 | |
Chicago | Ages 12 | |
Anthony rapp's without you | Ages 12 | |
Death Drop | Ages 15 | |
The Cottage | Ages 16 | |
A Beautiful Noise | All Ages |
FAQ
What is considered an Off-Broadway show?
An Off-Broadway show is a professional venue production in New York City that isn’t located within the Broadway Theater District. It typically has a seating capacity between 100 and 499.
What Off-Broadway Shows are good?
Good Off-Broadway shows vary based on personal taste, but popular ones include “Sleep No More,” “Blue Man Group,” and “The Play That Goes Wrong.”
What is Off-Broadway compared to Broadway?
Off-Broadway shows are similar to Broadway shows but are usually smaller in scale, both in terms of venue size and budget. They are often considered more experimental or unconventional.
How does a play go from Off-Broadway to Broadway?
A play goes from Off-Broadway to Broadway typically after a successful run and when producers believe it has commercial viability on a larger scale. It involves increased funding, casting, and production changes to adapt to a bigger venue.
Can Off-Broadway shows win Tonys?
Off-Broadway shows cannot win Tony Awards as these are exclusive to Broadway productions. However, they can win other prestigious awards like the Obie Awards or the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards.
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