Taking your little one to a Broadway show can be a formative experience for them. Not only can it instill a life-long love of theatre, but it can also inspire them to get involved in the arts! Not all shows are created equal, though. Believe me when I say you do not want to be taking an impressionable child to "The Book of Mormon" or "Chicago." That being said, there are tons of family-friendly shows on the Great White Way that your kid will love (and that you can feel comfortable bringing them to). Need some help deciding on the perfect show? Well, look no further! Without further ado, let's raise the curtain and shine a spotlight on the 10 best Broadway shows for kids.
Note: Most Broadway theaters do not allow children under the age of 4.
"The Lion King" (Save up to $36)
"Minskoff Theater, Broadway" by Rob Young is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
The third longest-running show on Broadway and the 1998 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, "The Lion King" is a theatrical achievement like none other. This masterpiece of a production (which follows the iconic story of a young lion cub on his journey to be king) features more than 232 hand-crafted puppets that are magnificently brought to life by an incredibly talented ensemble. Your little one will be captivated by the galloping gazelles, gigantic giraffes and elegant elephants that roam down the aisles and across the stage as the shimmering sun rises on the Pride Lands.
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
"Aladdin" (Save up to $50)
"New Amsterdam Theater - Aladdin" by ajay_suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Discover a whole new world and make your child's wish come true by getting them tickets to see "Aladdin." Based on the Academy Award-winning Disney animated movie, this colorful, magical and awe-inspiring musical brings to life the famous story of a love-struck street rat, a fast-talking genie, a headstrong princess and a power-hungry vizier. An extravagant spectacle in every sense of the phrase, this production features beloved songs from the film, beautiful tunes that were left on the cutting room floor and brand-new numbers written specifically for the Broadway production!
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
"Back to the Future" (Save up to $18)
Great Scott! One of the greatest sci-fi flicks of all time has made its way to the Great White Way. Based on the beloved 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, this electrifying musical tells the story of a time-traveling teenager who races against the clock to save his parents' marriage when he unexpectedly finds himself stuck in the past. Featuring iconic songs from the movie, such as "Earth Angel" and "Johnny B. Goode," and a plutonium-powered DeLorean that hovers above the stage (!!!), this theatrical adaptation is perfect for die-hard fans of the film and little dreamers just visiting Hill Valley for the first time.
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
"Wicked" (Save up to $38)
"Wicked Broadway Row X" by The Western Sky is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Think you know the story of the witches of Oz? Think again. A thrillifying prequel to L. Frank Baum's classic, "The Wizard of Oz," this three-time Tony Award-winning musical tells the tale of two unlikely college roommates who grow to be the best of friends while the world around them tries to tear them apart. Don your green glasses, enter the Emerald City and discover the surprising origins of the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, Glinda the Good and the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. Complete with poignant themes and a powerhouse score by Grammy-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, "Wicked" will truly change you "for good."
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" (Save up to $77)
"Lyric Theatre - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (48193409386)" by Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Set 19 years after the devastating Battle of Hogwarts, this spell-binding sequel brings audiences right back into the halls of the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry Potter's son, Albus, meets Draco Malfoy's son, Scorpius, the two become fast friends and set off on a time-turning adventure filled with all the magic and mischief you know and love from the Wizarding World. Watch your child's jaw drop in awe as they witness impossible effects, such as floating broomsticks, Polyjuice transformations, flying Dementors, exploding potions and characters disappearing before their very own eyes.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
"& Juliet" (Save up to $32)
What if Juliet lived ... ? This singular question takes Shakespeare's (formerly) tragic heroine on an energetic and empowering journey of self-discovery set to some of the most iconic songs of all time written by Swedish songwriter-producer Max Martin. His discography defined multiple generations with pop megahits such as "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, "Oops!...I Did It Again" by Britney Spears, "Confident" by Demi Lovato and "Problem" by Ariana Grande. Iambic pentameter makes way for these Top 40 bops and more when Shakespeare's wife takes the quill and rewrites the ending to the world's most famous love story.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
"Water for Elephants" (Save up to $33)
Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth ... or, at least, on Broadway! Based on the 2006 New York Times Best Seller of the same name, PigPen Theatre Co.'s "Water for Elephants" tells the story of a young man who — figuratively and literally — finds himself on a train heading anywhere and nowhere after he suddenly loses everything. With jaw-dropping circus artistry and beautiful puppets brought to life by an incredibly talented cast, this stunning spectacle of a musical is unlike anything else playing on Broadway this season and is a poignant reminder that it's never too late for your life to begin.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
"Hadestown"
A rockin' reimagining of the heart-wrenching Greek myth, singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin's modern folk tale has taken the Broadway world by storm. Chronicling the story of young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice and jaded gods King Hades and Queen Persephone, this ill-fated romance has won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. With entrancing staging and ethereal melodies performed by a lively ensemble and an ever-present onstage band, the "road to Hell" has never been so heavenly.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
"SIX" (Save up to $81)
"SIX the Musical at the Vaudeville, London" by Bex.Walton is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
You may know how their stories ended ... but you don't know how they began. The six wives of King Henry VIII are making Broadway herstory in this original Tony Award-winning musical. Inspired by real-life modern princesses of pop, Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr have formed the ultimate girl group. The problem is they haven't decided on a lead singer. When the lights come up, the royals compete for the coveted spot by sharing what led to and what became of their fabled relationships with the terrible Tudor. The ultimate encore, these queens will have you dancing in your seat as they rightfully reclaim their crowns.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
"The Great Gatsby" (Save up to $32)
F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great American Novel has arrived on the Great White Way. In grandiose fashion befitting of the Roaring Twenties, the brand-new adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" with music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Jason Howland and Grammy-nominated Nathan Tysen is all the rage this season! Soaring melodies, extravagant musical numbers and stunning scenery help bring Fitzgerald's timeless classic into the 21st century. Plus, with a recommended age of 10 years old and up, it's the perfect introduction for little ones to this ever-relevant groundbreaking piece of literature.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Excited to take your little one to their first Broadway show? Save up to 30% on tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist!
Related: Tips for Preparing Your Kids to See a Broadway Show
