Taking a family to a London theatre can quickly become expensive, particularly during the summer holidays. Kids Week makes it much more affordable, with children aged 17 and under able to see participating shows for free when attending with a full-paying adult.

More than 200,000 tickets are still available for performances running until the end of August. Here are five things to know before booking.

1. One child goes free with every paying adult

For every full-price adult ticket purchased, one child aged 17 or under can attend for free.

Families can also buy half-price tickets for up to two additional children with each paying adult. There are no booking fees when tickets are purchased through the official Kids Week website.

This means one adult could take three children, with one child going free and the other two receiving half-price tickets.

2. There is a wide choice of shows

Kids Week is not limited to a small selection of children’s productions. More than 50 shows are participating in 2026, ranging from family performances to major West End musicals and plays.

Choices include Bluey’s Big Play, The Gruffalo Live on Stage, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Zog, Matilda the Musical, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Hunger Games: On Stage and Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Not every performance of every show is included, so it is worth trying several dates when searching.

3. It is for teenagers as well as younger children

Despite its name, Kids Week includes anyone aged 17 or under.

There are plenty of productions for younger children, but teenagers can also choose from musicals, comedies, dramas, dance productions and more unusual theatrical experiences.

Parents should check the age guidance and content information for individual productions before booking. A show being included in Kids Week does not necessarily mean it is suitable for every child.

4. Some tickets include workshops and special activities

Selected performances offer more than the show itself. Families may also be able to book workshops covering acting, singing, dancing, puppetry, science and theatrical illusions.

There are also Kids Week Curtain Calls, where audience members can remain after the performance for a question-and-answer session, demonstration or short talk involving members of the production.

These activities have limited capacity and may need to be booked alongside the relevant performance.

5. Being flexible could help you find the best deal

The most popular productions and weekend performances are likely to fill first, but thousands of tickets are still available.

Trying a weekday performance, choosing a matinee or considering a show the family has not seen before could provide more options. Some of the best family theatre experiences can come from trying something unexpected.

Kids Week began in 1998 as a week-long promotion but has since grown into a summer-long event. It has helped to provide more than 2.7 million theatre visits for children and families.

Booking information

Dates: Monday 20 July to Monday 31 August 2026
Offer: One child aged 17 or under goes free with every full-paying adult
Additional tickets: Up to two more children can attend for half price
Booking fees: None
Availability: Selected performances only

Search participating shows and book Kids Week tickets

Families with access requirements should contact the relevant theatre box office directly before booking. Theatre Tokens can also be used towards Kids Week tickets.