Best Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows in NYC for Kids
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Seeing a Broadway or off-Broadway show is a memorable moment under any circumstance, but taking a child to an adult-oriented show could be a memory best forgotten if you aren't careful. You can largely avoid those problems by seeing shows that will enthrall your little ones and entertain your tweens and teens.
TPG asked Cara Giambrone O’Donnell, actor; Steve Friedman, Broadway musical lecturer and author of "The Ultimate Broadway Musical List Book"; Mickela Mallozzi, host of PBS’ "Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi"; John Davidson, tour host for Sports Travel and Tours; Ron Legler, president France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, Baltimore; and others for their recommendations.
There Is Such a Thing as Too Young for Broadway
Before you get all excited and buy tickets for the latest and greatest Broadway hit, be aware that many theaters have a minimum age of 4 for entry (even Disney shows recommend no kids under 4), with several shows recommending 6 or 8 years of age as a minimum. You probably know if your child can sit through a show that’s 90 minutes to two hours long -- or longer -- without crying, making a disturbance or otherwise making you and the audience around you miserable. But if you are on the fence, just wait another year. Broadway is a big investment for you and those around you, so hold off that special treat until everyone is ready.
Also, everyone often needs a ticket so keep in mind that bringing your tiny theatergoer probably won't be free. If your child is past the nap stage, you might find matinees work better than evening performances that keep your child up past bedtime. For the Disney-based shows, watch the movie before you see the show so your child is familiar with the characters.
Best NYC Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows for Kids
Here are a dozen shows (title, followed by minimum appropriate age) that deserve your time and attendance and then we'll explain how to save money on your theater tickets. (Ticket pricing varies by show, date/time of performance and seat location.)
NYC Theater Shows Appropriate for Children
"Gazillion Bubble Show" (2+, with lap tickets available for the youngest ones), New World Stages/Stage 2 (off-Broadway). An “unbubblievable” experience with bubble magic, laser lighting effects and soapy masterpieces for family fun. Weekends and some Friday evening performances.
"The Lion King" (8+), Minskoff Theatre. Based on Disney’s animated film, this long-running, Tony-award winning Broadway show is a colorful, beautiful and timeless presentation with unique animal costumes and beautiful dancing. The opening “Circle of Life” number has the animals parading down the aisles. Two hours and 30 minutes, with intermission.
"Aladdin" (8+) New Amsterdam Theatre. Another Broadway show based on a Disney movie that has adventured, comedy, romance and lots of special effects, including a flying carpet, a rousing “Friend Like Me” number and original songs written for the stage. Two hours and 30 minutes, including intermission.
"Frozen" (8+), St. James Theatre. Based on still another Disney film, the musical is true to the movie and Princess Elsa and her sister Anna prove that girl-power prevails. Although of interest to younger children, the two-and-a-half-hour show time could strain their attention span so 8+ is still recommended.
"King Kong" (8+) Broadway Theatre. Animatronics, puppetry, music, stagecraft and a 2,000-pound, 20-foot-tall ape populate this classic tale set in the Depression era. Filled with friendship, courage and being happy with being yourself, the show fills two hours and 30 minutes (with intermission).
"The Prom" (8+) Longacre Theatre. Inspired by true stories, this musical comedy features four actors leaving the Broadway stage to become leading stars in a small-town controversy involving the high school prom. Two hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.
"Wicked" (8+), Gershwin Theatre. The show takes you to the Land of Oz in pre-Dorothy days, and enchants with the costumes, sets, girl power and a moral message. Two hours and 45 minutes with an intermission. Perhaps even more fun is the 90-minute Behind the Emerald Curtain (BEC) tour ($33 per person) of a museum-worthy exhibit of costumes, props and memorabilia about the show. It’s followed by a question and answer, autograph and photo op session. Exclusive (to the tour) merchandise is available for purchase. No, you don’t actually go backstage, but it's still a cool tour. Offered on select Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 10am, but arrive early to give the museum a good look.
NYC Theater Shows Appropriate for Tweens
"Come From Away" (10+) Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The heartwarming musical story of how residents of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed the 7,000 plane passengers diverted following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The show is 100 minutes.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" (10+), Lyric Theatre. This sequel to JK Rowling’s books works for muggles and others who have never read one of her books or seen one of the movies. This is a two-part, five-hour-plus near-marathon so wait until your child is ready. You don't have to see both shows on the same day While ticket purchase is generally a long-range (and pricy) thing, at 1pm on Fridays, 40 tickets are available at $20 for the following Friday via TodayTix.
"Hamilton" (10+, some profanity) Richard Rodgers Theatre. The nearly three-hour rap version of our country's history is as exciting and educational as the show "1776" was five decades ago. Like Harry Potter, tickets can be tough to come by. However, you can enter the daily $10 a ticket lottery, starting at 11am for tickets two days in advance. The lottery closes at 9am the day before. Notifications are sent at about 11am the day before the show and you have until 4pm to pay for the tickets online. Then, pick them up at the theater between 11:01am to 4pm. There’s a limit of one entry per person and each winner can buy two tickets.
NYC Theater Shows Appropriate for Teens
"Dear Evan Hansen" (12+). Music Box Theatre. This Tony- and Grammy-award winning musical explores teen suicide, depression, bullying and “life and the way we live it.” Two and 30 minutes with an intermission.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" (12+) Shubert Theatre. Aaron Sorkin’s thoughtful interpretation of Harper Lee’s classic novel extols the virtue and integrity of Atticus Finch and the loss of innocence. Two hours and 50 minutes with one intermission.
How to Save on Broadway Shows
While Broadway tickets can be expensive, you can find reduced prices at the TKTS booths at Times Square, South Street Seaport and Lincoln Center booths for same-day tickets at up to a 50% discount. During Broadway Week, a three-week span in January–February and September–October, tickets are offered on a 2-for-1 basis. Kids Night on Broadway (KNOB) lets you buy an adult ticket and receive a free ticket for a child 18 and under (actually, the tickets will show half-price for each of you).
Kids Night usually takes place in February in New York and at other times of the year in other parts of the country. Kids Night also offers discounts at certain restaurants in the Times Square area and some pre-show activities (sing-along, etc.). For other discounts, join the TDF (Theatre Development Fund) for discounts up to 70% on theater, dance and music events on and off Broadway. Membership restrictions apply, but there are so many categories of eligibility that most people should qualify ($40 a year).
For other ticket deals, check Goldstar, BroadwayBox, TheaterMania, Playbill and Broadway League. Also, see how to earn and use points for Broadway show tickets. When you decide to purchase your family's first Broadway show, here are the best cards to use for entertainment purchases so you can earn extra points on those purchases.
Bottom Line
Kids and families can and should enjoy Broadway shows, but usually not until they are school-aged. However, once they are ready, there are a variety of shows that are appropriate for your kids, tweens and teens. Have you taken your kids to a Broadway show? Which did they love?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.