The golden rule: every child is unique and you know your children best. The only actual restrictions that exist across almost all Broadway theaters is an age minimum of 4 years and older (some shows restrict to slightly older ages).
Broadway producers recommend appropriate ages for each show based on the content and how actual younger children have responded to performances. Below, we include all shows with a recommended age of 10 years old and younger, along with a brief summary of what to expect.
Recommended For Kids Ages 6 and Up
Broadway offers a magical world of music, dance, and theater for kids ages 6 and up. While exciting and engaging, it's important to pick age-appropriate shows for your child's first Broadway experience. Two classic, kid-friendly musicals are Aladdin and The Lion King.
Aladdin
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Aladdin is a great show for kids to make their Broadway wishes come true! Based on the popular Disney film of the same name, Aladdin is a big, splashy production that recreates the bright bustle of Agrabah set to the film’s well-known songs. As the enterprising Aladdin navigates falling in love and dealing with life’s obstacles, he also learns that it’s important to be careful what you wish for.
Younger kids are likely to be enthralled by the witty Genie and fast-moving Aladdin but may also find the evil Jabar frightening. Also, with a run time of two and a half hours, it may be a little long for a first musical experience.
(Photo: Evan Zimmerman)
The Lion King
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
The Pridelands come to magical life in Broadway's The Lion King! Based on the Disney movie of the same name, the stage adaptation features spectacular puppetry, bright colors, exciting staging and the familiar songs of the film. The story also focuses on the death of a family member, and the portrayal of Simba's uncle Scar can be a scary one for younger audiences. As Simba starts anew, themes of friendship, finding oneself, and accepting responsibility are explored.
The Lion King is a favorite among kids of all ages, though keep in mind that with a runtime of two and a half hours, it could be a long one for younger children to sit through.
(Photo: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
Mamma Mia!
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Featuring the greatest hits of ABBA, this feel-good celebration of love, family and friendship is engaging and exciting for kids. Queue up “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Take a Chance on Me” and more ahead of seeing the show to make it even more fun when they appear on stage.
Do keep in mind that while the show is recommended for younger kids, a main plot point involves Sophie trying to find out which of three possible men could be her father. The themes are handled lightly, and with good humor.
(Photo: Joan Marcus)
Recommended For Kids Ages 8 and Up
Broadway unveils a world of music, dance, and enchantment for kids ages 8 and up. With the right show, 8-year-olds can experience the excitement and marvel of live theater. A few top family-friendly picks are & Juliet, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Wicked.
& Juliet
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
& Juliet brings a reimagined version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the stage, set to a playlist of pop anthems! The new musical features energetic choreography, bright sets, familiar songs and a Girl Power story that encourages acceptance and following one's heart, making it a great fit for kids.
(Photo: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under 5 will not be admitted. Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Based on the iconic Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place several years after the ending of the final novel, with Harry, Ron and Hermione's children heading off to Hogwarts. Kids already interested in the Harry Potter universe will be enthralled by the magical stagecraft, familiar faces and callbacks to the book. Of course, there are some dark and ominious moments, and the play is significantly longer than what most kids are used to. Preparing for the length, and maybe brushing up on Harry Potter lore, is a good call for audiences old and new.
(Photo: Matthew Murphy)
MJ
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Step into the rehearsal room for Michael Jackson's Dangerous world tour in MJ! The story of one of the greatest entertainers of all time comes to life as he prepares the set list for his biggest show yet. Kids will love the exhilarating performances of "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Beat It" and more of MJ's hits, and may recognize a few of the tunes too! Keep in mind that while MJ is kid-friendly overall, it does touch upon some of the heavier themes of Michael's childhood.
(Photo: Matthew Murphy)
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.
A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked transports audiences to the Land of Oz to tell the stories of Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked explores themes that include prejudice, the complexity of friendship, bullying, the lure of power and overcoming adversity and contains no bad language, stark violence or overt sexual activity. The staging of the musical is elaborate and exciting for most young children, however, there are elements that may be overwhelming, including loud and unexpected noises, fantastical characters, poor treatment of animals and a menacing portrayal of The Wizard.
Be sure to arrive at the Gershwin Theatre early, there's plenty to see and do, from photo ops to costume displays and more.
(Photo: Joan Marcus)
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission.
Set in Seoul, South Korea in the not-so-distant future, Maybe Happy Ending focuses on two retired HelperBots (robots that assist humans in their day-to-day lives) who are living out their obsolescence in cozy, small apartments. When they unexpectedly meet in the hallway, a whole new world is introduced as they navigate friendship, joy, loss, love and accepting the inevitable. While the themes in the musical can be considered a bit deep for younger children, they are presented in a universal way. You may want to be ready for a few questions after the curtain falls!
(Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
Recommended For Kids Ages 10 and Up
Once 10-year-olds reach this milestone decade, more complex Broadway shows can fully absorb their maturing minds. These shows use spellbinding craft, catchy music, and compelling coming-of-age stories to speak to older kids' expanding perspectives.
SIX: The Musical
Recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. Approximately 80 minutes, with no intermission.
Her-story, and with a twist! SIX brings the stories of the ex-wives of King Henry VIII to the stage as a pop music spectacle. Full of catchy bops, fun costumes and fantastic vocals, SIX is sure to be a hit with tweens and teens… and they’ll learn something too!
Do keep in mind that things didn't exactly end well for these ladies. A little pre-show prep for younger audiences may not hurt!
(Photo: Joan Marcus)
Kid-Friendly Off-Broadway Shows
If you’re up for looking beyond the big stage, kid-friendly shows can be found off-Broadway as well! Keep in mind that while some off-Broadway theaters are located near the Theatre District, others may be located in other parts of the city, so plan accordingly!
Gazillion Bubble Show
Recommended for ages 2 and up. Everyone must have a ticket. Approximately 65 minutes, with no intermission.
A perfect show for little ones, and a magical, interactive experience for kids of all ages! Showcasing the bubble artistry of the Yang family, Gazillion Bubble Show features mind-blowing bubble magic, spectacular laser light effects and the opportunity to be IN a bubble yourself.
