Children enjoying a lively music performance, seated on a stage, with musicians and colorful outfits in the background.

Children's Theater & Live Shows for Kids in NYC (2025)

Find the best children's theater near you on our interactive map & calendar, where we're listing family friendly shows on broadway, plus more upcoming plays, musicals, concerts & kids shows in NYC!

Many of these are live shows for kids that offer shorter lengths or interactive performances meant to engage younger audiences.

Help other parents discover a new show to watch with their family by liking & commenting on any you've seen. And if we've missed any great NYC kids theater shows near you, please recommend them below so we can add to the list!


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    Broadway Company, Photo by Matthew Murphy

    Disney Aladdin (New Amsterdam Theatre)

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    The beloved Disney classic is brought to life on stage, with all of the glitz and spectacle you could hope for in a Broadway musical!

    Alexandra F. said:  This is one of the few stage adaptations of Disney movies that I have really enjoyed, as the live performance really adds a sense of magic to the story. It helps that Alan Menken wrote the music for the show, too!

    New York, NY
    broadway.harrypottertheplay.com

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lyric Theatre)

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    One of the greatest fantasy book series for kids continues its story onstage, where the children of Harry Potter, Ron & Hermione, and even Draco Malfoy have their own magical adventures at Hogwarts and beyond.

    New York, NY
    andjulietbroadway.com

    & Juliet (Stephen Sondheim Theatre)

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    Alexandra F. said:  This musical is SO. MUCH. FUN! It tells a "what if" story, imagining a new ending to the Romeo & Juliet tragedy if Juliet had decided to go on living rather than killing herself upon discovering Romeo's death. With the help of her friends, her nursemaid, and some of the most popular pop songs of the last couple decades, Juliet goes through a journey of self-discovery that will have you dancing in your seat, and leave you with a gigantic smile on your face. Though I saw plenty of younger kids in the audience, I think the focus on relationships and identity probably makes it most appropriate for mature tweens and up.

    New York, NY

    Kids' Night on Broadway

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    Theater-loving families won't want to miss out on this Broadway ticket deal when it comes around. Kids and teens can attend a participating show for free with a full-paying adult, and certain shows also offer in-theater activities for kids. Choose from Wicked, Hamilton, The Lion King, Aladdin and many more.

    New York, NY
    lionking.com

    Disney The Lion King (Minskoff Theatre)

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    Kelly R said:  The familiar story and dazzling puppetry in The Lion King make it a great choice for a first Broadway musical for young kids, but my tweens loved it, too! If you can, it's fun to get an aisle seat so you have a great view when the actors parade through the audience.

    New York, NY
    Gazillion Bubble Show

    Gazillion Bubble Show

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    Bubble artist Fan Yang has been wowing audiences with this unique stage show. Now, his wife, children, and brother are also part of this New York City performance. This show features bubbles, laser effects, and soapy masterpieces. Theatergoers may even find themselves inside of a bubble. It's an unbubblievable experience that will make kids of all ages laugh and smile. This is a 60-minute performance with no intermission.

    New York, NY
    Production photos by Jeremy Daniel

    The Play That Goes Wrong (New World Stages)

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    Monty Python meets Sherlock Holmes in this hilarious kid-friendly show about opening night of a murder mystery production where everything goes wrong.

    New York, NY
    Wicked

    Wicked (Gershwin Theatre)

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    Alexandra F. said:  Catching a Broadway show is a must when you're in NYC, and I think Wicked is one of the best musicals ever made, period. It also happens to be one of the most kid-friendly! It tells the untold story of the Wizard of Oz, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into the unlikely friendship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Incredible music, a fabulous and original (but also familiar!) story, and an absolutely dazzling stage presentation makes this a must-watch broadway show. In our family, both the adults and kids loved it!

    New York, NY

Past Events (18)

    PAST EVENT

    Little Women Ballet (Pasadena Playhouse)

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    This original ballet brings Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel to life through dance, providing heartfelt and enchanting performances where audiences will witness unforgettable literary moments captured through beautiful choreography and storytelling.

    Susan Gordon said:  A moving tribute to family, friendship, and finding one’s voice, Little Women Ballet promises an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. This original ballet brings Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel to life through dance, celebrating the timeless journey of the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – as they navigate love, loss, and personal growth during a transformative era, providing heartfelt and enchanting performances where audiences will witness unforgettable literary moments including Jo’s rejection of Laurie, the whimsical Pickwick Club meetings, and Beth’s touching farewell – all captured through beautiful choreography and storytelling. The two-act classical Full Length Little Women Ballet will have three performances taking place on Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m.

    Pasadena, CA

    Saturday 2pm & 7pm

    Sunday 2pm

    PAST EVENT

    Game Changers (TADA! Youth Theater)

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    Game Changers is an electrifying, 90s pop-infused musical that takes you on a nostalgic journey back to the iconic kid game shows of the 1990s.

    Gabriella Connor said:  Game Changers is an electrifying, 90s pop-infused musical that takes you on a nostalgic journey back to the iconic kid game shows of the 1990s. The show follows six determined, young contestants as they battle their way to the top of Mt. Victory, all for the chance to claim the ultimate prize. Along the way learning that sometimes the Journey to Victory is about more than winning. Performances will run from April 26 through May 18 and will feature the talented members of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET). The young actors showcase the rich diversity of New York City. They come from various neighborhoods and boroughs of New York City, encompassing different economic, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, as well as diverse abilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

    New York, NY
    kingstheatre.com
    PAST EVENT

    The Wiggles (Kings Theatre)

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    Experience the magic of this interactive and engaging live show experience set to spark creativity, curiosity and a love of learning through The Wiggles signature mix of entertainment and education.

    Brooklyn, NY

    3pm & 6pm

    Photos by T A Smith | Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola
    PAST EVENT

    Alice in Wonderland (Puppetworks)

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    Charming hand puppets and marionettes bring beloved stories to life at Puppetworks, and the relaxed atmosphere and affordable tickets make this theatre a great choice for young kids.

    Brooklyn, NY

    12:30 & 2:30pm

    ©2023 Chris Lee
    PAST EVENT

    Fall Family Day (Carnegie Hall)

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    Enjoy free, interactive, and fun musical activities and performances in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing. Family Day welcomes families with children ages 3–10 to a celebration of American music traditions, in connection with the Hall's season-long celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Activities are ongoing from 12 PM to 4 PM. Stop by for a quick visit or join us for the whole afternoon!

    New York, NY

    12pm-4pm

    PAST EVENT

    B.O.T.C.H (TADA! Youth Theater)

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    B.O.T.C.H. is a jazz-styled musical for the whole family that follows 7 youth on the NYC subway who get lost underground and meet artistic rats, members of B.O.T.C.H. (Bureau of Turmoil, Chaos & Headaches), and find themselves in the basement of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

    New York, NY
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    The Pocket Park Kids (New York City Children's Theater)

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    A new play infused with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (a.k.a. The Global Goals) to empower to life, showing kids and their families how anyone and everyone can help save the planet!

    New York, NY

    11am & 2:30pm

    kingstheatre.com
    PAST EVENT

    Blippi: Join the Band (Kings Theater)

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    Blippi will be joined onstage by Meekah, their singing and dancing buddies and LIVE musicians to explore what makes music, including sounds, rhythms and instruments, through all your favorite Blippi hits. So grab your drumsticks, tune up your guitar, and move those feet with Blippi and get ready for a musical performance that's fun for the whole family! 

    Brooklyn, NY

    2pm

    Carnegie Hall
    PAST EVENT

    Family Day: Spring Fest (Carnegie Hall)

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    Children ages 3–10 and their families are invited to the Hall’s Resnick Education Wing for Family Day: Spring Fest, an afternoon-long free open house. This highly interactive, playful day offers families a multitude of fun activities that celebrate the earth, nature, and all things spring. Highlights of Family Day include instrument building with Bash the Trash; group singing with artists Emily Eagen, Skye Soto Steele, and Diana Schwam; a soothing sound meditation; hands-on opportunities to color and craft; lively mainstage performances with Falu and Swing Makes You Sing!; and more.

    MegBoyle said:  Enjoy free, interactive, and fun musical activities and performances in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing. Family Day is an anticipated musical adventure that returns each season with brand-new themes and activities. This April, join us for a celebration of all things spring. Stop by for a visit or stay for the whole afternoon! Activities are ongoing from 12 PM to 4 PM. Free admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

    New York, NY

    12pm-4pm

    Courtesy of Carnegie Hall
    PAST EVENT

    Lullaby Project Celebration Concert (Carnegie Hall)

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    Hear enchanting lullabies written by families in New York City and around the world in this concert celebrating Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project. Each year, the Lullaby Project pairs new and expecting parents with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting parental health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child. This performance features a selection of new works written this season—as well as the stories behind the songs—from the community of parents, songwriters, and partners who worked together to create them.

    New York, NY

    3pm

    Courtesy of Carnegie Hall ©2024 Chris Lee
    PAST EVENT

    Musical Explorers Family Concert (Carnegie Hall)

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    Discover music from around the world in this popular and highly interactive concert for children. Artists with magnetic personalities teach families all about their musical traditions—including Georgian folk with singer and guitarist Ilusha Tsinadze; son jarocho (Mexico’s “Veracruz sound”) with the Villalobos Brothers (Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis); and Zimbabwean Mbira music with singer and composer Dr. Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa.

    New York, NY

    12pm & 3pm

    PAST EVENT

    Very Young People's Concerts (New York Philharmonic)

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    New York Philharmonic presents its 30-minute Philharmonic Playdates series for the youngest concertgoers, with play-based performances that are inspired by toys, games and make-believe. Come early to enjoy hands-on activities and musical games before the hosted concert.

    New York, NY

    12pm & 3pm

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    huddle (Carnegie Hall)

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    From April 1–5, Carnegie Hall debuts huddle, a new early childhood concert for babies and toddlers ages 0-2. Written by composers Saskia Lane and Thomas Cabaniss and librettist Zoë Palmer, huddle follows three characters (fragile, fin, and hoof) as they find each other and create a new community. Integrating themes of migration, community, and collective imagination, huddle is a highly interactive performance that invites babies and toddlers to be a part of the show. Registration opens on March 10 for free performances offered twice daily.

    New York, NY

    10am & 11:30am

    PAST EVENT

    360 ALLSTARS (New Victory Theater)

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    360 ALLSTARS returns to the New Victory for an adrenaline-fueled performance featuring freestyle basketball, BMX biking, breakdancing and acrobatics set to a pulse-pumping, live-looped soundtrack.

    New York, NY
    Galli Theater
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    Galli Theater Fairytales

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    Galli Theater presents a variety of fairytale-inspired family shows like Sleeping Beauty, The Three Little Pigs and Rapunzel. Check their website to see which ones are coming up.

    New York, NY

    2pm

    hungrycaterpillarshow.com
    PAST EVENT

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (The Daryl Roth Theatre)

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    Kelly R said:  4 beloved Eric Carle stories are brought to life by 75 puppets in this magical off-Broadway show.

    New York, NY
    photo credit: Deborah Grosmark
    PAST EVENT

    The Little Orchestra Society - KIDS Concerts

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    The Little Orchestra Society puts on exquisite concerts to entertain and educate young children and families. The classical masters are performed in creative, innovative, and delightful ways.

    New York, NY

    11:30am &1pm

    jazz.org
    PAST EVENT

    WeBop Family Jazz Party

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    Jazz at Lincoln Center's WeBop early childhood program hosts this series of swingin' 45-minute concerts to introduce kids to jazz through interactive music and dance.

    New York, NY

    11:30am & 1:30pm

Primary photo:   Courtesy of Carnegie Hall © Jennifer Taylor

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