Taking your kids to the theatre for the first time can be a super exciting experience, but it can also be daunting if you don’t plan things ahead of time. After all, taking your seats and waiting for the action to begin is something that will stay with your kids forever, particularly if it’s a family-friendly show that you’ve seen in other formats. Given that there are so many suitable shows for kids these days in London’s West End, this article explains what you need to think about before taking your kids to the theatre for the first time to ensure it’s a memorable experience for all the right reasons.
Booking the show
Helpfully, shows that are family-friendly and aimed at children typically air at appropriate times. Many productions offer matinee performances, which are perfect if you want to watch a show during the day so you can head home before it’s too late. Most of the time, matinee performances play on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but they may also be shown on different days, depending on the theatre’s schedule.
You should also think about the venue in which the production is playing. The vast majority of London’s theatres are beautiful, historic buildings and are worth a visit alone. That being said, you need to be mindful of their accessibility requirements, so double-check in advance if you have any special requirements or require assistance. When you’ve checked out the venue and decided on a show to take your kids to, you might be able to get last-minute deals, which can be an effective way to save money. But if you want to plan ahead and save any last-minute hassle, you can book your tickets for children’s shows at OLT.
Planning the day
Taking your kids to the West End for the first time requires some careful planning, as there’s nothing worse than potentially missing the start of the show due to travel issues! As such, it’s best to book your travel in advance, giving yourself a couple of hours for delays. You can always find a cosy coffee shop in the theatre district to settle into while you wait for the performance to start, as it’s a great way to keep your kids busy.
When you get to the theatre, some venues have booster cushions for kids, but they’re often available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you might miss out. Alternatively, you could bring your own cushion, but it can be a bit of a pain carrying it around the city. Of course, in the minutes leading up to the showtime, it’s a good idea to take the kids to the toilet, as you don’t want to disrupt the show with frequent bathroom breaks! But with a bit of forethought and planning, your trip to the theatre with the kids can be a truly wonderful experience.
The bottom line
Planning a trip to London’s West End doesn’t need to be stressful. But to ensure that things go to plan, it’s important to be organised. The above tips will help you as you plan for a memorable day out in London’s capital, and you can currently choose from an impressive lineup of family-friendly shows that your kids will simply adore.
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