The Best Theatre Seats for Kids in London
Planning a family theatre trip? The most expensive seats aren’t always the best, especially when you’ve got kids with you. That’s the verdict from thousands of real families who’ve shared their seat-by-seat reviews on our platform. We’ve used AI to analyse over 10,000 audience submitted seat reviews, and our data reveals exactly which seats offer the best experience for younger theatregoers. It’s not always where you’d think (full methodology here).
“Every day, parents are booking theatre seats for their children but paying hundreds too much when better views for little people are available for less.”
The 8 Smartest Seating Strategies for Kids
Before you dive into specific theatres, here are the universal patterns we spotted across thousands of real family seat reviews.
Rows C–J in the Stalls often deliver the best balance: close enough to wow, far enough back to see everything. They’re popular for a reason! They’re also usually premium, so top tip: the seats to the sides are often cheaper than those right in the middle.
Many children need a booster, but they’re first come, first served and not always available in every section. A high-cost seat means little if your child can’t see. Arrive early and ask immediately.
The Grand and Upper Circles are usually cheaper, but tiered raking often means better sightlines, especially with a booster. Many parents said they’d choose these again over pricier alternatives.
Back-row Stalls often mean easy bathroom access, less pressure, and more legroom. Kids who fidget or need breaks will do better here than in the tightly packed front sections.
Private boxes give families room to move, whisper, or take breaks. They’re not always top-tier in terms of view, but the extra freedom is worth it for younger kids or nervous first-timers.
Seats near aisles or exit doors often got better reviews than pricier central seats. Parents value the ability to slip out discreetly with little ones, especially during long shows.
Again and again, families rated comfort, visibility, and flexibility higher than being close to the stage. You’ll see this in action in the reviews – premium seats often underperformed.
How To Book
Choose a show for your children here, check seat photos and reviews to get the best value seats for your family theatre trip.
At-a-Glance: The Best Seat Patterns for Kids
| Pattern | Why It Works for Families | Where to Find It |
| Middle-front Stalls | Clear views, not too close or far | Stalls Rows C–J |
| Aisle Seats | Easy exits, toilet breaks, and aisle action | Ends of most rows |
| Booster-Friendly Zones | Best for visibility, especially for small kids | Stalls/Dress Circle front |
| Private Boxes | Space, privacy, freedom to move | Varies by theatre |
Best Seats By Theatre
Matilda the Musical is a family favourite packed with magical moments, but where you sit can make all the difference. Based on thousands of reviews, these are the best seats for kids at the Cambridge Theatre.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Rear Stalls and Dress Circle Rows H-J highlighted for quick exits to toilets and bars.
- Booster seats are widely available and staff are praised for being helpful.
Wicked is a visual spectacle, and with one of London’s largest auditoriums, seat choice really matters for kids. User reviews reveal where the magic feels truly up-close at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Need quick toilet access? Try Rear Stalls or Dress Circle Row O.
- Booster seats are usually available from the cloakroom.
A legendary venue for big productions like Hercules, this theatre’s grand design rewards smart seat choices, especially for little ones. Our data pinpoints the best seats for families at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Stalls M & N are often highlighted by parents for easy access to toilets and exits.
- Booster seats are available at this venue.
For The Lion King, seat choice shapes the experience. From animal parades in the aisles to epic, colourful set pieces, parent reviews reveal some amazing options at the Lyceum Theatre.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Rear and Side Stalls are mentioned for easy access to toilets.
- Boosters seats are available on first-come, first serve basis.
A top choice for family dance shows like The Snowman, the Peacock Theatre has a lower stage and excellent sightlines. Here’s some tips to make sure you pick the right row.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Rear Stalls and Dress Circle aisles are great for easy exits
- Mixed information on booster seats – some parents suggest bringing your own
Magic, illusions, and dramatic effects: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is packed with wow moments. Our data shows where to catch the magic up close at the Palace Theatre.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Rear Stalls and Side Stalls K-N are close to exits, with doors onto the street.
- Free booster seats available from ushers or the cloakroom.
Home of The Nutcracker and other classics, this grand venue can wow little ones – if you pick the right seat. The London Coliseum is a very big theatre, but these areas come rated by parents.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Stalls B–D, M–N and Dress Circle B–C, K–L highlighted by parents for easy exits.
- Booster seats may not be available at the Coliseum.
Classic kids’ shows like The Tiger Who Came To Tea and a family-friendly layout make the Theatre Royal Haymarket a parent favourite, especially if you pick seats with easy exits and good booster availability.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Stalls M-R and Royal Circle F & G highlighted for easy exits.
- Booster seats available, no charge.
Home to beloved family shows like The Gruffalo’s Child, the Lyric Theatre layout means picking the right row makes all the difference, especially for younger children.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Stalls H-K and Q-T, especially aisle seats, highlighted for quick exits.
- The Dress Circle is street level.
- Booster seats are available for the Stalls and Dress Circle.
Famous for The Mousetrap but also a home for family shows, St Martin’s Theatre is a smaller theatre where the right seats make a big difference. Here are parent-certified tips for shows like The Smartest Giant in Town.
🚪 Insider Tips
- Stalls E–G and Dress Circle E highlighted for proximity to exits.
- Booster seats available free of charge.
Methodology: How We Found the Best Seats for Kids
We analysed thousands of individual seat reviews left by real theatregoers on SeatPlan, focusing specifically on feedback from families with children.
To build our recommendations, we grouped and filtered reviews by:
- Mentions of child-friendly experiences (e.g. “my 6-year-old loved it” or “perfect for a family”)
- Seats noted for visibility for smaller children or where booster seats were used
- Comments on special effects or interactive elements (e.g. swings flying overhead, actors using aisles)
- Ease of access to toilets, exits, and refreshments – common concerns for parents
- Feedback on value where families felt the experience was worth the cost
We then clustered these insights by row, section, and theatre to highlight patterns, such as which rows consistently offered great views for children, or which areas let kids feel closer to the action.
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