A trip to the theatre with little ones can be great fun, especially if you choose a child-friendly production such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea. These shows are specially tailored for a young audience and have lots of opportunities to interact, helping kids to engage with the action. But how can you prepare your child for a great day out and help them get the most out of the experience?

Read the Story in Advance 

Children’s shows are simple and easy to follow. But if you want to make sure your kids understand the plot, then read the story to them in advance where possible. Not only is this a great way to bond at bedtime, it will also help to prepare them for the show you’ve booked to see. You could discuss how the characters might look on stage, how they might interact with the children in the audience and what the sets might look like.

Encourage Them to Get Involved

Many little ones might not have been to an interactive children’s play before, so explain what happens on the day and encourage them to get involved with any singing, dancing or calling out they might be asked to do. Children are often encouraged to sit quietly in school or nursery settings and so calling out might seem strange to them, but interactive shows require plenty of audience participation.

Take Any Necessary Sensory Aids

The best theatre shows for families are relatively short, sweet and will keep the whole family entertained. But if your child needs a little extra support staying focussed, be sure to bring fidget toys, comforters, cuddly toys and even snacks with you. Snacks may have to be bought at the venue, so be sure to check this in advance. As interactive theatre shows can also be rather on the noisy side, you might also want to bring ear defenders for children who use them to stay calm. Every child is different and while some might like the noise of a live production, others might need a little more support. 

As an extra tip for children with SEND, you could even look around the theatre in advance to familiarise them with the setting and where you’ll be sitting. Many children like to know where they’ll be and what to expect on the big day. 

Encourage Respect 

While children’s shows are designed to keep kids engaged and encourage audience participation at times, it’s important to ensure your children don’t get too carried away. You can teach them about theatre etiquette in advance and how they should behave when the actors are speaking. Learning respect for performers at a young age is a great skill and one they’ll take with them through life.

If you’re looking to book a family show, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Currently touring the UK, this production is packed with clumsy chaos and is great for little ones aged three and above, being just 55 minutes long with no interval.