The 12 Best Broadway Shows for Kids in NYC 2025

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.
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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.
Table of Contents
ToggleAmazing 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 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
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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Steffen
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