Best Off-Broadway Shows for Kids: Affordable Children's Theater in NYC

The off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors is perfectly set in a small theater, with big performances from its cast. Photo by Emilio Madrid-Kuser

Taking kids to a Broadway show is an exciting and memorable experience. It's also a pricey one. That's why it's worth looking beyond Broadway, where you'll find some long-running, kid-friendly shows that are less expensive, more offbeat, but just as special.

From a bubble-filled, surefire toddler hit to a hilarious slapstick comedy to those world-famous blue dudes, there are options for all ages and interests. We've even shared ways you can snag deeply discounted tickets. All of these Off-Broadway productions make great birthday party activities, too.

Circus Abyssinia Springs Into Town with Action-Packed Tulu at the New Victory Theater

Circus Abyssinia's action-packed acts make it hard to know where to look in any given scene. Photo by Craig Sugden

Circus Abyssinia's brand-new spectacle Tulu leaves you wanting more—in the best possible way. The exhilarating Ethiopian troupe returns to the New Victory Theater with Tulu, a cavalcade of gravity-defying athletic acts in tribute to the legendary long-distance runner Derartu Tulu, the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Featuring a cast of nine and running just an hour, Tulu is smaller and more intimate than Circus Abyssinia's last eye-popping extravaganza, Ethiopian Dreams, which played at the New Vic in 2018. But there are benefits to the scaled-down scope, especially for families. Because of the abbreviated running time, very young theatergoers likely won't get fidgety and audiences of all ages will be in awe of the performers' versatility!

Read on to find out about the fabulous feats you'll see and find all our top New Victory picks this season in our Guide to Children's Theater in NYC.

Best Fall Theater in NYC for Kids: 21 Showstoppers for Families

Red Riding Hood: The Musical comes to the stage at at Merkin Hall via the 92NY's Theater for Young Audiences performance series. Photos courtesy of 92NY.

Here's something deserving of applause: This is the first jam-packed NYC season of fall theater in NYC for kids since 2019! Even better, you don't need to shell out big bucks on Broadway to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience. In fact, this fall theater season boasts more high-quality, family-friendly productions for young audiences than ever—so many in fact, we have a whopping 21 picks on this list of the best fall theater in NYC for kids, and that's after whittling down the contenders.

Preschoolers will be thrilled to see Disney doggy Bluey and fuzzy Sesame Street stars live on stage. Older kids can check out page-to-stage adaptations of The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and The Three Musketeers. Plus everyone in your family can enjoy the circus spectacles coming to town, including Big Apple Circus, Bindlestiff Calvacade of Youth, and Circus Vazquez. Best of all, many of our picks are $25 or less per ticket. Read on for our top picks for fall theater in NYC for kids and bookmark our NYC Guide to Children's Theater and Shows for more top picks and reviews.

The Best Family Shows of Off-Broadway's New Victory Theater 2022-2023 Season

Photo courtesy of PMC Production Co.

When NYC’s theaters reopened last fall, the first place my daughter asked to go was the New Victory Theater. Keep in mind, she's in high school! But her warm feelings for New York's award-winning, year-round family theater are a testament to the appeal and breadth of the New Victory's programming. Even though she's aged out of some of the shows, many offerings entertain audiences of all ages, including hard-to-please tweens.

Located in the heart of Times Square, the New Victory has been the go-to destination for entertaining, enriching, and affordable theater for young audiences since 1995. And with hands-on workshops, interactive pre- and post-show activities, and performances tailored to kids with autism or other sensory, social, or learning disabilities, the nonprofit organization raises the bar for what children's theater can be. As an enthusiastic and longtime New Victory fan, I'm thrilled to share a preview of the theater's 2022-2023 season, including the best shows for different ages and how to save money on tickets.

The New Victory's 2022-23 season features nine family-friendly shows from across the globe, representing a wide range of genres, including circus shows, puppetry performances, and musicals. Make a night (or a day) of it by catching a performance, attending a pre-show activity, grabbing a bite to eat, and even hitting a few offbeat attractions nearby. Tickets are just $20 to $69 and sell fast so purchase early for the best pricing and seating options. Note that theatergoers ages 2+ must be masked, while vaccination is recommended, but not required.

Pro Tip: If you book three or more shows, you automatically become a New Victory member, which means you save 40% on tickets and 25% on family workshops, plus enjoy unlimited, free date changes up to 48 hours before showtime.

17 Things To Do in NYC with Tweens: Terrific Picks for Phone-Free Entertainment

No matter your tweens favorite thing to do, Area 53 provides an action-packed outing with activities like ropes courses, rock climbing, and more. Photo by Diana Kim

Finding fun things to do in NYC with tweens can be challenging. Kids in this age group are a bit too old for most playgrounds and a bit too young to wander around NYC alone. That's why this mother of a picky 11-year-old asked her peers and their kids for their top things to do in NYC with tweens that are guaranteed not to prompt one of those infuriating eye rolls.

So, next time you're planning a family outing, try one of these tween-tested-and-approved excursions in NYC—who knows, your tween might even put down their smartphone and crack a smile. Find more fun things to do in NYC with tweens in our Tweens and Teens Guide to NYC, which includes our bucket list of teen activities to enjoy once your tweens age up.

Best Theater for Kids: 12 Shows in NYC for Families in Summer 2022

El Otro Oz by TheaterWorksUSA is a bilingual take on The Wizard of Oz. Photos by Jeremy Daniel.

Think the dog days of summer are a cultural wasteland? That's not the case when it comes to the theater for kids—New York City's family theater scene is hotter than an unshaded sandbox during the summer, and this year is no exception.

There are shows for kids of all ages, interests, and budgets throughout the summer season, including FREE theater for kids options such as outdoor Shakespeare, a bilingual take on The Wizard of Oz, and a puppet show touring to parks throughout the five boroughs. And the theater for kids shows that do cost money are typically less than $25 per person.

South Street Seaport: 20 Fun Things To Do With Kids

The waterfront South Street Seaport neighborhood is full of family-friendly things to do no matter the season. Photo by Eva Van Dok

The South Street Seaport, one of New York City's oldest and most historic neighborhoods, is the perfect place for a family outing. Completely redeveloped in 2017, Pier 17 is its centerpiece and a massive, high-end retail and dining destination with a stunning rooftop space. Besides Pier 17's dining and shopping, there are plenty of other family-friendly things to do in this popular downtown Manhattan neighborhood.

A pair of exceptional play spots, including the Imagination Playground, an under-the-radar maritime museum, boat tours, landmarked buildings, a public pier with gorgeous views, and a slew of FREE programming makes the South Street Seaport a great place to visit this summer with kids—whether you're a tourist or a local.

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