Your Definitive Guide To The Best Broadway Shows For Kids

Broadway can very well be a family experience, you just need to find the right show. But between the adult themes most Broadway shows tackle, it can be a tad challenging to pick a show you can go watch with your kids without worrying about introducing them to concepts that might be inappropriate for their age. Broadway shows for kids should be something that are fun and lively, but also impart values and feelings you would want to imbibe in your children. 

Well, Broadway isn’t the biggest theatrical performances venue in the world for no reason. With 41 theatres each playing a different show, you’ll have plenty of kid-friendly Broadway shows to choose from. Add the equally amazing off-Broadway productions to the mix and your options increase further.

Let’s look at some of the best Broadway shows for kids and why they make this list:

Best Broadway Shows For Kids: 

Disney Classics

Nothing beats a good ol’ Disney flick when it comes to spending some family time. Disney on Broadway brings the classic stories from the world of Disney to live theatre in entertaining and enlightening ways, making them the some of the best Broadway shows for kids of all ages!

Aladdin

A rags to riches story set in the fantastical land of Agrabah, Aladdin has the thrill and adventure kids usually enjoy, mixed with an inspiring tale of being comfortable in your skin and actually putting in some work to overcome your shortcomings instead of just complaining about them. Add to that the fantastic musical performances and choreography, and you have got yourselves the perfect show to watch with your kids.

The Lion King

Featuring one of the most iconic movie imagery of all times, little Simba being raised atop a cliff while his parents watch on with pride and the final notes of The Circle of Life build into a deafening crescendo of celebration, The Lion King is a memorable experience, more so on Broadway. With a focus on familial relationships and a touching coming-of-age story, The Lion King is mandatory family viewing.

Fantasy

While Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens in NYC spring next year, there are plenty of great fantasy fiction Broadway shows for kids that will catch your childrens’ fancy. Take them along on magical journeys that will help them spread their wings of creativity.

Anastasia

Masterfully blending the past and the present, Anastasia is the spirited tale of rediscovery and connecting with your roots. Chronicling the life of Anya, an amnesiac orphan, who is trying to rediscover her past, Anastasia has all the elements of a kid-friendly show, from a magical and timey-wimey plot to the kind of cheery optimism kids can relate to,

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Adapted from Roald Dahl’s timeless tale and the 2005-Johnny Depp vehicle, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the perfect show to watch with your kids. Charlie, the lead character, is resilient, selfless, and honest, all qualities that you would love to pass down on your kids. Even from a technical perspective, the show is bright, cheery, and brimming with lovely songs, everything a kid would enjoy.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

C.S. Lewis’s children’s classic, the first of seven novels, all part of The Chronicles of Narnia series, has already been adapted for the big screen and now St. Luke’s theatre is playing host to the stage adaptation of this magical story. Follow four siblings as they enter the enchanting land of Narnia and fight the forces of evil, alongside the courageous lion, Aslan. With a strong focus on the strength of family and imagination, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a standout when it comes to kid-friendly shows.

The Gazillion Bubble Show

The Gazillion Bubble Show will take you and your family into a world of blow bubble magic! With spellbinding lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and jaw-dropping pieces of bubble art, you will be transferred to an interactive bubble world. An experience that is suitable for all the members of your family, especially the kids!

Comedy

Adult or child, everyone enjoys a good laugh. Broadway has hosted some outrageous comedies over the years. Our selection, going with the theme, is a little more family-friendly without compromising on the laughter.

Wicked

A modern twist on The Wizard of Oz, a story everyone knows all too well, Wicked has been defying standards and gravity (if you know what we mean) for more than a decade. Exploring themes of sisterhood and finding friends in the unlikeliest of places, Wicked, despite all the ballads and theatricality, has an emotional, funny, and uplifting story at its core. Take your kids along for a fun and unexpected ride around the often magical land of Oz!

Groundhog Day

Remember the 90s timeloop comedy you laughed your asses off to? Yes, Groundhog Day is now on Broadway and it’s still as funny! Take your kids along on this clever comedy and prepare for some time well spent. The innovative staging, hilarious plot, and catchy songs make Groundhog Day one of the best kid-friendly shows on Broadway.

Blue Man Group

A show about reconnecting with your inner child, Blue Man Group is hilarious and heartwarming in equal measures. With a pronounced emphasis on being comfortable in your own skin and the power of being different, the show is not the funniest of our list, but humorous and poignant it most certainly is. Backed by a live rock band, the Blue Men Group unifies the audience for the show’s climax – an unforgettable, euphoric dance party, marking a departure from how regular shows ends.

Back To School

There’s nothing more kids relate to than a story based on their lives and experiences. Think High School Musical but on stage. Fortunately, there are a couple of critically acclaimed shows with a school setting playing right now, making them an obvious choice for kid-friendly shows on Broadway.

School of Rock

Everybody loves a good underdog story, especially when it involves rock music and foot-tapping numbers. School of Rock, based on the 2003-movie, brings a whole new energy to the already diverse world of Broadway and it’s tale of following your passion will most definitely strike a chord with your kids. If (rock) music and Battle of the Bands in a prep school setting sounds like something your kids might enjoy, book School of Rock tickets on Headout today!

Dear Evan Hansen

Tackling the challenging years of high school, Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply moving, contemporary story about what it’s like to be an outsider and the impact a seemingly simple lie can have. If you have teenaged kids, Dear Evan Hansen is something they will not only relate with but also take inspiration from the characters and the story.

Drama

Without getting to Game of Thrones level of drama, there are some great Broadway shows for kids that blend comedy, heart, and a smidge of drama perfectly, making for shows that are both inspirational and entertaining.

The Phantom of The Opera

The Phantom of the Opera, the longest running Broadway show ever (!), is where you should be at if you are looking for a family-friendly Broadway show. Featuring a somewhat adult relationship between a young soprano and the phantom who haunts the theatre the singer works at, the show is perfect viewing with your teenaged kids. Love, in all its complexities and the importance of choice are just a few of the themes from the show that your kids will appreciate.

Cats

Broadway’s fourth longest running show, Cats, follows a tribe of cats who meet annually for the Jellicle Ball to celebrate, rejoice and ultimately decide who amongst them will be reborn. Colourful costumes, iconic songs like “Memory”, and the underlying message of human salvation, all make Cats a must-see Broadway production for families with kids of all ages.

Come From Away

A play about 38 planes crashing in a remote island and the locals doing everything in their power to help the passengers, Come From Away is an emotional, uplifting experience that you should definitely undergo with your family. Creating waves in the theatre world with its resounding message of camaraderie and kindness, the show has been winning the love of critics and audiences alike and will have a positive impact on your kids too.

Pick a show (or two) you like from our collection of best Broadway shows for kids and take your family along for a spectacular Broadway experience, one they’ll never forget!