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.

My tip: Here you will find all Broadway shows, but also Off-Broadway shows and plays on Broadway.

Steffen Kneist Loving New York

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

  1. The Lion King on Broadway Poster Small

    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
  2. Aladdin Musical on Broadway Poster Small

    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
  3. Wicked on Broadway Poster Small

    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
  4. Gazillion Bubble Show on Broadway Poster Small

    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
  5. 190130105941011

    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.

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

Steffen

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

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