Broadway Shows for Kids 2026: The Best Picks by Age
The best Broadway shows for young kids in 2026 are still The Lion King and Aladdin, both recommended for ages 6 and up. For kids 8 and older, Wicked is the most popular next step, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, MJ The Musical and Hamilton work well for kids around 10 and up. Broadway theaters generally do not admit children under 4, and every child needs a ticket.
Below are the top picks by age, what to know about each, how to tell if your child is ready, and how to make the day go smoothly, including touring options if you are not going to New York.
Broadway shows for kids by age
| Age | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 | Children’s theater, magic and bubble shows rather than Broadway | Most Broadway theaters do not admit kids under 4, and full musicals are too long |
| 4 to 6 | The Lion King, Aladdin | Familiar stories, big visuals, recommended for 6 and up; good first shows for a mature 5 year old with a matinee |
| 7 to 9 | Wicked (8 and up), The Lion King, Aladdin, MJ The Musical | Longer stories and bigger themes, still family friendly |
| 10 to 12 | Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Outsiders, Hadestown, & Juliet | More complex plots, faster lyrics and some mature content |
| Teens | Almost anything, including Six, Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Operation Mincemeat | Check content notes for language and violence |
The top picks, show by show
The Lion King
The Lion King is the classic first Broadway show. The Broadway League lists it as intended for ages 6 and up, with a running time of about two and a half hours including an intermission. The opening number, with life-size animal puppets coming down the aisles, is the moment most kids remember for years. If your child is sensitive to scary scenes, know that the stampede and Mufasa’s death are staged as powerfully as in the film. It plays the Minskoff Theatre.
Aladdin
Aladdin is lighter and funnier than The Lion King, built around the Genie and big, bright production numbers. The Broadway League lists it for ages 6 and up and about two and a half hours with an intermission. It plays the New Amsterdam Theatre, a restored 1903 theater that is worth seeing in itself. For a child who loved the movie and likes jokes more than spectacle, Aladdin is often the better pick of the two.
Wicked
Wicked tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy arrives. The official tour guidance recommends it for ages 8 and up, does not admit children under 4, and lists about 2 hours 45 minutes with an intermission. With the films, many kids now arrive knowing every song, which helps them follow the story. Act Two is darker and more complicated, so it suits kids who can sit through a long show. It plays the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway and also tours.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
For Potter fans, this is the show. It is a play rather than a musical, set 19 years after the last book, and it is packed with stage illusions. It is best for kids who have read the books or seen all the films, since the story assumes you know the characters. It plays the Lyric Theatre.
Hamilton
Hamilton is recommended for ages 10 and up and contains strong language. It runs about 2 hours 45 minutes with an intermission. Kids who know the cast album often get more out of it than adults, but the lyrics are fast, so a few listens beforehand help. The $10 Ham4Ham lottery is one of the best ways for a family to try it; see our Ham4Ham guide.
The Outsiders
The Outsiders is recommended for ages 10 and up and does not admit children under 4. It includes violence, a staged rumble, references to suicide and domestic abuse, smoking, haze and flashing lights. It is a great pick for a 12 or 13 year old who has read the novel in school, and too intense for many younger kids. It is also touring; see our Outsiders tour guide.
Is your child ready for Broadway?
Age guidance is a starting point. The better test is your own child. A few questions help:
- Can they sit through a full movie in a theater without getting up?
- Do they already know the story or the songs? Familiarity makes a long show easier to follow.
- How do they handle loud sound, sudden lighting changes and the dark? Some shows offer sensory-friendly performances, which are worth asking about.
- Will they stay quiet when they cannot ask questions out loud for an hour at a time?
- Are they excited to go, or is this mostly your idea?
If the answers are mostly yes, a matinee of The Lion King or Aladdin is a safe first step, even near the bottom of the age range.
How to make the day go well
- Pick a matinee. Most of these shows run two and a half to nearly three hours. An evening show can end after 10 p.m.
- Choose aisle seats. Restroom trips are easier, and you can step out without climbing over strangers. Late seating and re-entry rules vary, so ask the theater before you need them.
- Prioritize a clear view over closeness. Small kids see better from the front of a raised level than from the middle of a flat floor behind tall adults. Ask the theater whether booster seats are available.
- Listen to the cast album first. Kids enjoy what they recognize.
- Eat beforehand and use the restroom early. Intermission lines at Broadway theaters are long.
- Buy one ticket per person. Every child needs a ticket, including lap-age kids where they are allowed at all.
Not going to New York? Family shows on tour
Many of the best family shows tour. In the 2026 and 2027 season, touring options that suit kids include The Sound of Music, BOOP! The Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and at the holidays, Elf The Musical and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, which is made for young audiences. See our touring Broadway shows guide and our Christmas plays and musicals guide for dates. Touring theaters are big, so our seating guides for ASU Gammage and the Hollywood Pantages explain where families should sit.
Buying family tickets without overpaying
A family of four multiplies every mistake by four. Start at the show’s official seller, compare the total with fees for all four seats together, and favor weekday matinees during school breaks if you can. If you buy resale, read our guide to keeping theater tickets safe first, since lookalike sites target parents shopping for Disney shows.
Broadway shows for kids FAQ
What is the minimum age for Broadway shows?
Broadway theaters generally admit children age 4 and older, and every person needs a ticket regardless of age. Individual shows can set higher limits or recommendations. The Lion King and Aladdin are recommended for ages 6 and up, Wicked’s tour for 8 and up, and Hamilton and The Outsiders for 10 and up.
What is the best Broadway show for a 6 year old?
The Lion King and Aladdin are the classic first Broadway shows for 6 year olds. Both are Disney musicals built on stories most kids already know, both are recommended for ages 6 and up, and both run about two and a half hours with an intermission, so a matinee is usually the better choice.
Is Wicked OK for kids?
Wicked’s official guidance recommends it for ages 8 and up, and its tour does not admit children under 4. It runs about 2 hours 45 minutes with an intermission. Most 8 to 12 year olds love it, especially if they know the movie, but the length and some darker moments in Act Two can be a lot for younger kids.
Are there Broadway shows for toddlers?
Full Broadway musicals are generally not suitable for toddlers, and most Broadway theaters do not admit children under 4. For younger kids, look at shorter family shows in New York, such as children’s theater productions or shows like the Gazillion Bubble Show, which are built for short attention spans.
Should kids see a matinee or an evening show?
A matinee is almost always better for kids under 10. Most Broadway musicals run two and a half hours or more, and an evening show can end after 10 p.m. A weekend or holiday matinee gives you a meal before and a normal bedtime after.
More Broadway guides: NYC Broadway shows, current Broadway plays and the Broadway lottery and rush guide.
Sources and corrections
Age guidance and show details were checked on October 30, 2026 against these sources:
- The Broadway League: The Lion King (age guidance, running time)
- The Broadway League: Aladdin (age guidance, running time)
- Wicked tour FAQ (age guidance, minimum age, running time)
- Broadway in Hollywood: Hamilton (age guidance, running time)
- The Outsiders FAQ (age guidance, content advisories)
- New York Theatre Guide: family shows, October 2026 (current family shows and theaters, general minimum age)
- Broadway Scorecard: Broadway age guide (age groupings for current shows)
Shows open and close and policies change. Check each show’s official page before you buy. Spot an error? Email info@theatertickets.com and we will check it and update this page.
