Best 5 teen and kid-friendly Broadway shows in 2020 (including Frozen)
Looking for an unforgettable family experience in New York City? Broadway offers kid-friendly shows for every taste and age. From hit Disney adaptations like “Frozen” to the immortal classics “Lion King” and “Aladdin”, and the teen must-see musicals “Mean Girls” and “Hamilton”.
Bond with your loved ones while you transfer into Aladdin’s magical world, enjoy Lion King’s spectacular choreography, or sing along with Elsa (let’s face it: the whole family knows “Let it go” by heart).
To help you choose the best blockbuster musical for your family, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide of the top teen and kid-friendly Broadway shows this year. Ranking the best shows for kids, we give you insightful reviews and critics’ opinions, considering your kids’ age and interests. Let’s dive right in.
1. The Lion King
(find tickets here)
Without further ado, we present to you the mighty “Lion King”. Meet the young lion cub Simba, whose moving story has captured the attention of millions of spectators of all ages and turned “Lion King” into one of the biggest names on Broadway.
Based on the Academy award-winning Disney animation from the mid-90s, it debuted on Broadway on October 15, 1997. With 70 major theatre awards and 100+ audience members worldwide, this iconic musical is the third-longest running and the highest-grossing show of all time (at the time of its 20th birthday it has grossed 8.1 billion worldwide).
Hear from the critics
“There is simply nothing else like it.” -The New York Times
“The most exciting, most inventive, most moving theater that has ever come to Broadway.” — Newsweek
“A feast for the eyes and ears.” — WWOR-TV
Lion King in a nutshell
Recommended for kids aged 8 and up, this brilliant family favorite is a flawless combination of impressive choreography, stellar music performance, and storytelling at its finest.
The plot follows the young lion cub who faces various challenges and triumphs along his journey towards fulfilling his destiny and becoming the king of the animal kingdom. The whole family will enjoy this dazzling spectacle, featuring traditional African music, jazz, and urban rhythms, as well as iconic tunes, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning “Can you feel the love tonight”. Not to mention the stunning choreography and transformational costumes, which bring to life the exotic African world. Eager to learn more? Check out this in-depth review of the show.
So, why don’t you take your kids on a once in a lifetime journey to the Pride Lands, while comfortably seated at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City? They will love you for this.
3 reasons why your kids will love it
- Iconic plot based on Disney’s classic hit
- Brilliant choreography and transformational costumes
- Memorable music numbers
Ready for an unforgettable family experience? Book the best seats at affordable prices. Get your tickets now.
2. Aladdin, the Musical
Another timeless and kid-friendly Broadway show, which will take your breath away with its magical beauty, glittering costumes, and extraordinary spectacle. It’s an iconic theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes provide infinite joy to the whole family.
Appreciated by 10+ million audience members worldwide and showing 84 awe-inspiring special effects, including a flying magic carpet, “Aladdin” is definitely among kids’ all-time favorites.
For more information about Aladdin the musical please read this review and plot summary.
Hear from the critics
“Broadway magic.” — Wall Street Journal
“Musical comedy wish-fulfillment.” — New York Magazine
“Fabulous and extravagant.” — The New York Times
Aladdin, the Musical in a nutshell
Embark on a magical trip to the Middle East with this glamorous and fun Broadway show based on the widely celebrated 1992 Disney movie. The story has it all — a charming young thief, an empowered princess, a big blue genie, and a magic lamp. This children’s hit stands out with astonishing production numbers, spirited choreography, and shiny costumes.
“Aladdin, the Musical” is exactly what you wished for — an unforgettable Broadway entertainment for the whole family. Best for kids ages 8 and up. Staged at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.
3 reasons why your kids will love it
- Beloved and fun Disney adaptation
- Magical costumes and setting
- Award-winning music and choreography, including the catchy hit “A whole new world”
Make a wish and dive into Aladdin’s magical world. Book your budget-friendly ticket now.
3. Frozen, the Musical
Captivating audiences from all ages since its top-grossing Disney debut in 2013, “Frozen, the Musical” on Broadway is an absolute must-see. If your kids can’t stop humming “Let it go”, give them a chance to do it live along with the charming heroine on stage at the St. James Theatre. Recommended for children ages 8 and up.
Hear from the critics
“Joyous and triumphant! Wonderful! A really magical experience.” — WABC-TV
“Genuinely electric.” — New York Magazine
Frozen, the Musical in a nutshell
This brilliant fairy-tale-like Broadway show will surely give you chills. It’s a heart-melting Disney adaptation about two sisters, separated by a mysterious secret. While Elsa is going through a major transformation, finding her inner power, Anna embarks on an adventure, trying to bring the family together. Ultimately, this kid-friendly Broadway musical is all about love, courage, and empowerment. The ground-breaking effects, eye-popping costumes, and stellar performance provide a truly magical experience for kids and adults alike.
3 reasons why your kids will love it
- Blockbuster fairy-tale like plot (magic + princesses = the perfect combo)
- New hit songs and story material by the film creators
- Impressive stage effects
See how Frozen comes to life on Broadway’s stage. Save your spot for the coolest kid-friendly show in 2020.
4. Hamilton
We leave the fairy tale world of Disney’s classics and transition to a few selected Broadway shows, which will appeal to a special group of spectators — kids who are not really children, but still not adults — teens.
Let’s start with the ground-breaking hip-hop musical Hamilton (suitable for ages 10 and up) — 2016 Winner of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Hear from the critics
“Revolutionary musical a thrilling salute to America’s immigrants” — The Guardian
“A visionary musical that lives up to the hype.” — Time Out Magazine
“Yes, it really is that good.” — The New York Times
Hamilton in a nutshell
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s show is a combination of hip hop music and musical theatre at its best. This Broadway hit offers to the audiences both unforgettable tunes and virtuoso storytelling. Hamilton is a “bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman”, who emigrated to America in 1772 as a teenager. As it turns out, Hamilton leaves the Caribbean to become George Washington’s right-hand man, interpreter of the constitution, and secretary of the treasury. It’s a brilliant and enlightening show — a tale of America’s past, acknowledging that it’s not all black and white.
3 reasons why your adolescent kids will love it
- Smashing hip-hop and R&B numbers
- A thrilling plot about the birth of a nation (including hot topics like a sex scandal and the excitement of revolution)
- Outstanding choreography and performances
Sounds like a great family night? Here’re some useful tips on how to find last-minute tickets for this award-winning blockbuster. And don’t miss the chance to book your tickets in advance.
5. Mean Girls
Indisputable teen favorite, the Broadway version of “Mean Girls” is based on the eponymous movie by Tina Fey. It premiered on Broadway in April 2018 at the August Wilson Theatre and turned into one of the smartest musical-comedies, suitable for the whole family. Recommended for kids ages 10 and up.
(You can find a more in-depth coverage including reviews and plot summary for Mean Girls here).
Hear from the critics
“All things considered, it’s pretty fetch. And very, very funny.” — Chicago Tribune
“The show’s high fun factor comes as no surprise.” — Variety
Mean Girls in a nutshell
The main character Cady Heron has been raised in an African savanna before moving to suburban Illinois. The young newbie hardly expected to fall prey to a trio of ferocious frenemies under the rule of Regina George. The plot follows the entertaining and a little “mean” battle for the crown.
3 reasons why your adolescent kids will love it
- Family comedy, exploring the timeless theme of high-school-as-living-hell
- Fresh and energetic music and choreography
- Great performance
Why not bonding with your teen daughter and taking her to this hilarious musical? Book your tickets here.
Broadway is even better with kids and teens
A visit to Broadway is an unique experience, which will be remembered by the whole family. To make the most of it, consider your kids’ age and interests when choosing the right musical. They will love you for that!
