Live children's theater in New York City spans marionettes for three-year-olds, Off-Broadway musicals for the elementary set, and full-scale Broadway shows for older kids. Below, the shows worth knowing about — grouped by age, alphabetical within each group.
How to read it: each listing shows the age range, neighborhood, what it is, when it plays, and a starting price where available. Vital Theatre Company's own shows are marked and link to the show page; other theatres link out to their own site.
Ages 2–5 first theater
Penguin Goes to Flight School — Vital Theatre Company
Ages 2–7 · Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W 47th Street, New York · Sundays 11:00 AM, Nov 15 – Dec 27, 2026 · from $29.50
It’s the first day of Flight School, where they teach birds to fly. Penguin has the soul of an eagle and one enormous dream: to live on the wind. There’s just one problem. Penguins can’t fly.
Vital's The Wizard of Oz — Vital Theatre Company
Ages 2–8 · Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W 47th Street, New York · Saturdays 11:00 AM, Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027 · from $29.50
A classic tale that has been entertaining audiences for ages. Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and even munchkin puppetry, as they travel through a re-imagined world of Oz.
Galli Theater New York
Ages 3–9 · 74 Warren Street, Tribeca
Interactive fairy-tale plays; kids are invited on stage.
Literally Alive Family Theatre
Ages family · The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
Off-Broadway musical adaptations of classic stories (Alice, Cinderella, A Christmas Carol).
Puppetworks
Ages 3+ · Industry City, 51 35th Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn
Marionette theatre presenting classic fairy tales on weekends.
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
Ages 3–7 · Central Park, W 79th Street & West Drive
Historic hand-carved marionette shows in a landmarked Central Park cottage; weekend performances.
Ages 5–8 big-kid shows
Atlantic for Kids
Ages 4+ · Atlantic Stage 2, 330 W 16th Street, Chelsea
Family productions in a working Off-Broadway house.
New Victory Theater
Ages 4–8 (varies by show) · 209 W 42nd Street, Times Square
International family theatre, circus and dance; every listing carries its own age guide.
TADA! Youth Theater
Ages 3+ · 15 W 28th Street, 2nd & 3rd Floors, NoMad
Drama Desk-winning musical theatre programs with productions performed by a kids' ensemble.
Ages 8+ Broadway and beyond
Aladdin
Ages 6+ · New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W 42nd Street, Broadway
Disney's stage musical based on the animated film — a long-running Broadway production.
The Lion King
Ages 6+ · Minskoff Theatre, 200 W 45th Street, Broadway
Disney's stage adaptation of the 1994 film — a long-running Broadway production.
New Victory Theater
Ages varies (older titles 8+) · 209 W 42nd Street, Times Square
Same house, older-audience titles in the same season.
Wicked
Ages 8+ · Gershwin Theatre, 222 W 51st Street, Broadway
The untold story of the witches of Oz — a long-running Broadway musical.
What parents actually search for
Run times
- Vital Theatre Company: 55 minutes, no intermission.
- Marionette shows (Swedish Cottage, Puppetworks): typically ~1 hour.
- Broadway family musicals (Lion King, Aladdin, Wicked, & Juliet): about 2.5 hours with one intermission.
Strollers, boosters and ticket policies
- Vital Theatre Company: booster seats available; stroller valet stationed at the door. Children over 12 months need a ticket; no adult surcharge.
- Every venue has its own stroller and ticket policy — check the theatre's site before you go.
Getting to the Theatre District (Actors Temple, 339 W 47th St)
- C or E to 50th Street, then walk one block south.
- N/R/W to 49th Street, then walk one block west.
- A/C/E to 42nd Street–Port Authority, then walk north to 47th.
Getting to Times Square theatres (New Victory, Broadway houses)
- Nearly every subway line stops at Times Square–42nd Street.
This guide is maintained by Vital Theatre Company as a courtesy — we run one show at a time and are grateful for the other companies presenting family theater in New York.
Don't see your show? Email info@vitaltheatre.org and we'll add it.