Bag yourselves front-row seats at some of the best live theatre for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers this Christmas.
In date order:
Top for Babies and Toddlers
The Ugly Duckling at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon SW19
Poor little duckling faces jeers and misfortune until his luck turns around in this lively adaptation of the story featuring puppets and songs. For ages 3+ with a special toddler version for ages 1-2 (book asap, selling out fast)! 10.30am & 2pm (times vary, check web site); £9 (until Feb 18)
Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure at Ambassador’s Theatre, West St, WC2 (Leicester Sq tube)
Journey to the North Pole in this fun-filled tale with illusions by Paul Daniels. Every kid gets a gift from Santa! For ages 2+. 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm (varying dates); (Nov 30-Dec 31)
Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt at Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus, W1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Peppa, George and Danny get up to fun and games on Granddad Dog’s boat. Ahoy! 11am & 2.30pm; £13.50-£18.50 (Dec 1-31)
The Enormous Turnip Jackson’s Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 (Highgate tube)
Hot on the heels of hit show the Three Little Pigs, Stuff & Nonsense bring energy, live music and humour to the tale of a turnip that doesn’t stop growing. Ages 2+. 11am & 2pm; £14.50/£10.50 concs (Dec 3-31)
The Magician’s Daughter at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE22 (Deptford overground)
A reworking of The Tempest for very young children, beautifully strung out by Little Angel Theatre’s puppeteers. For ages 3+. Baby-friendly performances Sats and Wed Dec 21 at 11.30am. 10.30am & 1pm (until Dec 16); 11.30am & 2pm (until Dec 24); £9 (Dec 6-24)
Goldilocks at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Angel tube)
Table-top puppetry and global music bring a modern twist to this classic fairytale. 30 mins, for ages 2-5. Baby-friendly performances on Sundays at 10am, Fri (Dec 23) and Dec 30; £10/£8 concs. (Dec 7-Jan 29)
Sooty Christmas Show at Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Rd, WC2 (Leicester Sq tube)
Join popular puppets Sooty, Sweep, Soo plus Richard as they get ready for their Christmas party in Sooty’s first appearance on the stage in 13 years. 11am & 2pm (times vary); from £12.50 (Dec 13-31)
White at Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
In a world of white, colour emerges like magic. Award-winning company Catherine’s Wheel concocts a dazzling mix of song and spectacle for ages 2 to 4. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 3pm (times and dates vary); £12 (Dec 17-31)
Christmas Tales from the Shed, Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 (Cockfosters tube)
A magical, make-believe Talesomime (a pantomime starring your fave Tales from the Shed characters) with fun and music for ages 0-7, running time 50-60 mins. 10am &11.45am; £6, babies under 1 free (Dec 21-23)
Top for Pre-Schoolers (3-5 years)
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Hearty song and dance, witty characters and a not-so-scary Gruffalo makes this popular story a delight for all ages. 10am, 11am, 12pm & 2pm; from £13.50 (until Jan 15)
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
The magical adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ story is lovely for all ages, but at 2 hours running time is probably best suited for babes with more staying power. (Nov 30-Jan 8 )
Holly and Ivan’s Christmas Adventure at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
Holly and Ivan are two Christmas toys who fall off the back of Santa’s sleigh then embark on a voyage to find their owners. For ages 6 and under. 10.30am-2pm (times vary); £8/£5 messy play (or £3 with show ticket) (Dec 1-31)
The Snow Dragon at Chelsea Theatre, World’s End, SW10 (Sloane Square tube)
Billy is a young goat who longs to meet the Snow Dragon but instead bumps into wolves in the wood. Can he find his way home? Storytelling and songs for under 7s by the team behind The Gruffalo. 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm; (Dec 3-21)
Ring a Ding Ding at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Epic, immersive and multi-sensory show for young children by the fabulous Oily Cart. Ages 3-6. 10.45am, 11.30am & 2pm (varying dates); £11/£9 concs (Dec 3-30)
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
This fantastic journey to Sweetieland is a wonderful introduction to ballet for little ones. Running time is 1h55 mins (20 min interval). 2.30pm, 4pm & 7.30pm; £10-£60 (Dec 6-Jan 22)
The Lost Christmas at Waterloo East Theatre, Brad St, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Two robots from the year 3999 travel back in time to help new friend Sophie retrieve the lost spirit of Christmas. For all ages, 70 mins. 11am, 2pm & 7pm (varying dates): £12/£9 concs (Dec 6-23)
Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales at Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Rd, N7 (Caledonian Rd tube)
The team behind Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories bring favourite tales to life using ordinary props and a world of creativity. Ages 4+. 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm; £9 (Dec 6-31)
A Christmas Carol at Greenwich Playhouse, 189 Greenwich High Rd, SE10 (Greenwich DLR)
Ebenezer Scrooge faces up to the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future before he mends his miserly ways. Classic Xmas tale, with ghouls and singalong carols for ages 3+. 7.30pm & 4pm (Sun); £13/£10 concs. (Dec 6-Jan 15)
Magical Night at Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House, Bow St, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Under the spell of a fairy’s wand, toys come to life in this Christmas fantasy scored by Kurt Weill. A 21st century Nutcracker for all ages. 12.30pm, 4pm & 7pm (varying dates); £10.50-£23.50 (Dec 9-31)
Boing at Lilian Bayliss Studio, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Too excited to sleep, two boys turn their bed into a trampoline. Dazzling show of comedy, acrobatics and breakdancing set on Christmas Eve. For ages 3+. 10.30am & 2pm; tickets from £7 (Dec 13-31)
The Gruffalo Live! (Babes Review)
