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Know Before You Go to a Broadway Show

Most Broadway theaters will not admit children under 4, and every audience member needs a ticket regardless of age. Although parents have certainly sneaked preschoolers into productions, you're better off waiting until your kids are old enough to sit quietly and pay attention for two to three hours. For young children new to live entertainment, start with more interactive offerings like off-Broadway's Gazillion Bubble Show or the lovely shows at the New Victory Theater. You'll save money and, perhaps, your sanity.

The Lion King is an excellent first Broadway show for elementary schoolers. Photo by Deen van Meer ©Disney

Best Broadway Shows for Kindergartners and Up

1. The Lion King – Minskoff Theatre

This long-running favorite is based on Disney's animated blockbuster about the coming of age of a young cub. I saw it three times when it opened in 1997, long before I became a mom. I've since visited with my daughter in tow, and I'm happy to report that, despite a different cast and theater, it's as thrilling as ever. Directed by Julie Taymor, The Lion King is a low-tech wonder filled with eye-popping puppets, exuberant production numbers, and a gorgeous African-inspired aesthetic. The "Circle of Life" opening number, with the animals parading down the aisles toward the stage, is exhilarating and an ideal way to introduce school-age kids to the magic of Broadway. The Lion King's official recommended minimum age is 6, but a well-behaved 4- or 5-year-old should be fine. Watch the movie in advance and book a matinee.

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In Aladdin, one lamp and three wishes equal infinite entertainment. Photo by Deen van Meer ©Disney

2. Aladdin – New Amsterdam Theatre

Much as my daughter and I enjoyed Aladdin, this Disney-based hit doesn't deliver the jaw-dropping wonder of The Lion King. The exposition-heavy first half of Act I is slow. However, once the title character uncorks the incredible Genie, the show takes flight on a magic carpet ride. His introductory number, "Friend Like Me," is hilarious and references other famous Broadway songs. And while the character is outrageously funny, he's nothing like Robin Williams in the film (a smart move since the movie role was so specific to the late comedian's talents). The show also boasts some thrilling special effects, including a flying carpet. Aladdin's official recommended minimum age is 6, and it's best to watch the movie in advance and book a matinee.

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a hit with fans and Muggles alike. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Best Broadway Shows for Ages 8 and Up

3. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Lyric Theatre

Magical is the word that best describes this breathtaking sequel to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. In The Cursed Child, the boy who lived has become a middle-aged dad to a young wizard who's sick of being in his father's shadow. While the show is a must-see for Harry Potter fans of all ages, even those unfamiliar with the books fall under its spell. The play stands on its own as a self-contained tale (though there are plenty of references throughout that elicit gasps from those in the know), and with separate storylines for kids and parents, it's relatable for all ages. Some of the illusions will have you rubbing your eyes and scratching your head, wondering, how did they do that?! The official recommended minimum age is 8, which seems about right. However, if your slightly younger kids have read the books, they should be fine.

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Wicked gives you a new perspective on the witches from The Wizard of Oz. Photo by Joan Marcus

4. Wicked – Gershwin Theatre

If your kids saw and loved the movie, they're going to find the original Broadway musical thrillifying! Get a new perspective on The Wizard of Oz's Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West in this stunning show that shares their backstories as BFFs turned romantic and political rivals. With two strong female protagonists, it features lots of girl power, not to mention powerhouse songs by Stephen Schwartz, such as the Act I closer "Defying Gravity." The costumes and sets are amazing—especially the massive dragon hanging above the stage—and the moral that you should never judge a person by their skin color is poignant. Wicked's official recommended minimum age is 8, which makes sense because the show runs nearly three hours and has a few scary moments. Note: Children under 5 will not be admitted.

& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo by Matthew Murphy

5. Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests The Muppets – Broadhurst Theatre

Runs Tuesday, October 28-Sunday, January 18, 2026
Attention Muppet lovers! Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang are coming to Broadway in a new spectacle starring Rob Lake, famous for his jaw-dropping illusions on American's Got Talent. The magician may be the headliner but kids will probably be even more impressed by the Muppets and their shenanigans, and it's wisely timed to take advantage of the holiday break. Ta-da!

Best Broadway Shows for Tweens and Teens

6. & Juliet – Stephen Sondheim Theatre

You may not recognize the name Max Martin but you certainly know his work: He's co-written hits for Britney Spears ("Oops!... I Did It Again," "Baby One More Time"), the Backstreet Boys ("Larger Than Life," "I Want it That Way," "Shape of My Heart"), Celine Dion ("That's the Way It Is"), NSYNC ("It's Gonna Be Me"), and Katy Perry ("Roar," "I Kissed a Girl," "Teenage Dream"). All those numbers and more are featured in & Juliet, a jukebox musical that changes the fate of Shakespeare's tragic heroine as she skips suicide and goes on an empowering journey of self-discovery. With the clever recontextualizing of familiar songs, a hilarious script by Schitt's Creek writer David West Read, and a contemporary story centering on women and LGBTQ+ characters, & Juliet is an inclusive and tuneful crowd-pleaser. Although the official recommended minimum age is 8, I think it's best for middle and high schoolers given its themes of love and identity.

7. Beetlejuice – Palace Theatre

Runs Wednesday, October 8, 2025-Saturday, January 3, 2026
It's showtime... again! The musical Beetlejuice, based on Tim Burton's beloved cult movie, returns to Broadway for a limited engagement. Design-wise, it's a macabre delight featuring jaw-dropping sets, costumes, and puppets as the titular demon tries to help a pair of newlydeads scare a living family away from their home. The movie's narrative has been changed a bit. "Strange and unusual" teenage goth Lydia Deetz is mourning the recent death of her mother, which explains her obsession with death, and Beetlejuice is presented as her pal, not her predator (though he's a total lech with everyone else). The recommended age minimum is 10, but there's a lot of cursing and raunchy gags, and a Girl Scout is terrorized. But, the original was also full of dark humor. If your kids can handle the movie with added profanity, they should be fine.

Buena Vista Social Club™ brings the Grammy Award-winning classic record to life on stage. Photo courtesy of the production

8. Buena Vista Social Club™ – Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

Inspired by the Grammy-winning 1997 album and musical ensemble of the same name, Buena Vista Social Club™ is an exuberant history lesson about Cuban music, culture, and politics. The story alternates between the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s and recording sessions in 1996 Havana, when seasoned musicians reunited to record songs from their shared past. While the show is aimed at grown-ups, the breathtaking music and dancing can be appreciated by all ages. That onstage band is on fire! It's best for middle and high schoolers since it explores race, class, and colorism.

9. Stranger Things: The First Shadow – Marquis Theatre

This stage prequel to the popular Netflix series is a must for fans, full of incredible and creepy special effects that turn Broadway upside down. Set in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959, it tells the origin story of Henry Creel, aka the villainous Vecna/001, and you also get to see Joyce, Jim Hopper, Bob, and other characters as rebellious teens. Like the series, it can be quite terrifying and gory. If your child is squeamish about blood, violence (especially against animals), or death, turn back now. This is a theatrical adventure for those who are up for having their mind flayed.

10. Ragtime – Vivian Beaumont Theater

Runs Friday, September 26, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
After a sold-out run off-Broadway last fall, this acclaimed revival of Ragtime comes to Lincoln Center for a limited engagement. Based on E. L. Doctorow's novel about three disparate families, one white, one Black, and one Jewish, who collide during the early 20th century, it's a powerful portrait of our multicultural America in all its glory and flaws. Fictional characters share the narrative with historical figures such as Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, and Booker T. Washington, and the sweeping score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens is filled with showstoppers, notably "Make Them Hear You," a potent call for justice. American history has never been so melodious!

Maybe Happy Ending is the story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Photos by Matthew Murphy. 

11. Maybe Happy Ending – Belasco Theatre

This heartwarming robot rom-com centers on two lonely, obsolete Helperbots living out their days in a retirement community in South Korea. When they make an unexpected connection, adventure calls, and love happens. The breathtaking high-tech design complements this endearingly analog tale about what makes life worth living. Although it's aimed at grown-ups, there's nothing inappropriate for tweens, who'll enjoy the quirk and humor (it's often laugh-out-loud funny), the amazing visuals, and the songs, which range from old-school jazz to gorgeously orchestrated contemporary earworms.

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Hadestown is a folk-rock reimagining of Greek mythology. Photo by Evan Zimmerman

12. Hadestown – Walter Kerr Theatre

Anaïs Mitchell's evocative, folk-rock reinvention of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is short on plot but overflows with creativity. Seemingly set during the Great Depression, the musical chronicles the couple's ill-fated romance as she heads down to Hadestown to work in the mines with her crooning lover hot on her heels. Inventively produced with an onstage band and a top-notch cast that slays the bluesy score, this unconventional tuner is utterly captivating, attracting crowds of angsty adolescents who love its inevitable unhappy ending. Although the official recommended minimum age is 8, I think you've got to be past your first crush to really care. It's definitely the saddest love story on Broadway.

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The Founding Fathers rap for the revolution in the smash hit Hamilton. Photo by Joan Marcus

13. Hamilton – Richard Rodgers Theatre

Do I really need to tell you about Lin-Manuel Miranda's historical hip-hop blockbuster? Chances are if you have tweens, they already know all the lyrics by heart and have watched the stage capture of the original cast on Disney+ countless times. Yes, it's long (almost three hours), and yes, it deals with some pretty dense subject matter (the American Revolution and the birth of our nation), and yes, there is some profanity. But it's an electrifying and educational experience for ages 10 and up. Even though Miranda and the rest of the original cast left years ago (though Leslie Odom Jr. returns for a run this fall!) this is still an expensive ticket. If you don't want to pay through the nose, try your luck with the $10 digital lottery. Bonus: Enhance your Hamilton experience by visiting these five NYC sites related to Alexander Hamilton's legacy.

Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life. Photo by Marc J. Franklin

14. Hell's Kitchen – Shubert Theatre

Alicia Keys' hits power this coming-of-age tale of a talented teen in '90s NYC pursuing her passion for piano and an older man while clashing with her protective single mom. Loosely based on the Grammy-winning pop star's own life, Hell's Kitchen is absolutely electrifying, conjuring a diverse and vibrant Manhattan community through exhilarating street dance and Keys' popular songs. Admittedly, the story isn't exactly fresh, but you'll be having so much fun you won't care, and the fraught mother-daughter relationship is genuinely touching. Although the show's official recommended minimum age is 8 and up, it explores mature topics, including sex and police violence, so I suggest 10 and older.

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MJ the Musical delivers Michael Jackson's signature moves. Photo by Matthew Murphy

15. MJ the Musical – Neil Simon Theatre

I admit, I walked into this bio-musical about Michael Jackson a skeptic. As much as my family and I enjoy his songs, I worried I would think about the horrible accusations against him the entire time. But I was able to set those aside temporarily thanks to the show's incredible singing and dancing. Set during the creation of Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, the musical shows that he was a deeply flawed man with many problems, some of which are acknowledged (his addiction to painkillers, his perfectionism at all costs, his inability to hear the word "no"), while others are glossed over (it's set before the abuse allegations but there are still a few lines alluding to it). But this isn't an intense examination of a troubled genius. It's a celebration of all he created and the boundaries he broke—his music transcended so many, including race, class, and genre. If your tween's face lights up at the first few notes of "Thriller," you will not be disappointed. Although the official recommended minimum age is 8, I suggest middle school and up, since there are scenes of Jackson being physically abused by his father.

16. The Outsiders – Bernard B Jacobs Theatre

S.E. Hinton's timeless coming-of-age novel The Outsiders has been a staple of middle-school reading lists for decades. Told from the point of view of Ponyboy, a sensitive, 14-year-old orphan being raised by his older brothers, it's a compelling tale of the violent rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the well-to-do Socs in 1960s Tulsa. This literary classic has been turned into a thoughtful and achingly sincere musical, with evocative songs by the folk duo Jamestown Revival and thrilling direction by Danya Taymor, niece of Julie Taymor of Lion King fame (talent runs in the family!) The show boasts strong performances and some of the most incredible and realistic stage combat I have ever seen. The official recommended age minimum is 10 and older, which seems about right.

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Crooning queens fight for the spotlight in the pop-powered SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus

17. SIX – Brooks Atkinson Theatre

If you've got a musical-loving adolescent in your life, you've probably heard all about this international sensation, a history-inspired concert in which Henry VIII's bedazzled wives belt out catchy pop songs about their dramatic lives with the moody monarch. Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX boasted a viral studio cast recording and multiple global productions before it arrived on Broadway. The conceit may sound gimmicky, but its execution is impressively effective. It's smart, entertaining, and, in centering the queens instead of the absent king, unabashedly feminist. Plus, the all-women onstage band seriously rocks! The official recommended minimum age is 10, which is spot-on.

18. Mamma Mia! – Winter Garden Theatre

Runs through Sunday, February 1, 2026
Here they go again! After a ten-year hiatus, the beloved musical Mamma Mia! is back on Broadway for a limited run. Featuring hit songs by the supergroup ABBA, including "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Take a Chance on Me," and the title tune, the show centers on Donna, the spirited single mother of a 20-year-old bride who invites three of her mom's exes to the ceremony hoping one is her father. While it's aimed at grown-ups, the movie starring Meryl Streep was popular with mothers and daughters. A zany rom-com set on an idyllic isle with catchy numbers? That's exactly the kind of escapist fare we need right now.

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This article is updated regularly.