Kid-friendly Theater Performances in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Liv and Jack pose in front of actors at The Puppet Co.

There are SO many venues that host kid-friendly theater performances throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. From holiday productions to seasonal shows and concerts, this listing will be continuously updated with reviews of current shows that we’ve attended & upcoming performances to check out. 

Notes: This listing is not exhaustive; there are many more kid-friendly theater performances going on in DC, Maryland & Virginia than what’s displayed here. I highly encourage you to follow the links to see more performances and shows in your area. As we visit venues that are new-to-us, I will update this listing with shows from those venues. 

That being said, the lists of current and upcoming kid-friendly theater performances will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis; however, things can change at any moment. Please make sure to click the links and confirm performance details. 

None of the links displayed are affiliate links. I also don’t get paid to do reviews. Liv really enjoys theatre performances, so we go! 

In this blog

Performance Reviews

Scene from SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical  

The National Theatre 

Date Reviewed: 11/12/24

  • Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
  • Dates: 11/12/24 – 12/01/2024
  • Run Time: 80 minutes with no intermission 
  • Ticket prices: $89+/person
    • Search the further out dates for the $89 range
  • Best for: ages 10+ but really all ages may enjoy!
  • Food: There’s two bars with snacks; one on the ground floor and one on the third floor.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

4DMV Kids Review: Liv’s absolute favorite Broadway musical is BACK! This is our second time seeing this amazing, woman-led production. From the actresses to the band on stage; who run the world?? GIRLS

Liv mentioned her favorite aspects of the show include the outfits and the songs. I love that it’s 80 minutes, which is shorter than most shows we’ve seen at The National Theatre. It felt like the right amount of time, especially with kids.  

This production is mostly song and dance. Each of the six wives details their time with Henry VIII while mixing in modern-day and pop-culture references for kicks and giggles. There are a couple of sexual innuendos that went over Liv’s head but nothing super obvious. We will definitely support this performance again when it comes back!

Get your tickets now for SIX the Musical at the National Theatre.

Photos from opening night! The top right is pictured with the actress who played Catherine Parr in the 2024 version. The bottom right is from opening night at The National Theatre in 2022.
Props from the production of The Lion King Jr.

The Lion King Jr.  

Encore Stage & Studio 

Date Reviewed: 11/08/24

  • Location: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre; 125 S. Old Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22204
  • Dates: 11/08/24 – 11/24/24 
  • Run Time: 1 hour & 15 min. with 15 min. intermission
  • Ticket prices: $15 for adults; $12 for children, students, military & seniors (includes service fees)
  • Best for: ages 4+
  • Food: They have $5 snack packs that include water, chips and snacks for sale. Note that there’s no eating/drinking in the theatre. 
  • Special Events:
    • 11/16 at 2:00 pm | Simba’s Scavenger Hunt Pre-show Experience ($8) ~ Enjoy this fun family-friendly activity with roaring challenges and fun surprises as you interact with the cast before the show!
    • 11/23 at 2:00 pm | Timon and Pumbaa’s Pudding Party Pre-show Experience ($8) ~  Treat yourself and create your pudding parfait “grub” just the way you like it—layer it high with all the “slimey, yet satisfying” gummy bugs! 

In this adaptation of the beloved Disney animated film, young actors bring the story of Simba and his friends to life!. The young and carefree lion cub faces serious consequences that force him to flee his kingdom, leaving his cruel uncle Scar to rule in his place. With the help of his new friends Timon and Pumbaa, Simba learns the joys of “Hakuna Matata,” or “no worries,” until his past catches up with him. Will responsibility and honor win out? Discover the answer for yourself as you sing along to the classic songs of Elton John and Tim Rice, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

4DMV Kids Review: So inspiring! We loved this majority kid/teen cast & crew led production of The Lion King. This direct reflection of the Disney movie we all love includes songs and lines exactly as you’ve remembered them. 

Liv mentioned the cast being “kids my age” several times as she detailed her favorite parts of the performance. She loved the parts with the hyenas and the singing/dancing of the Saharan animals. Jack’s eyes were glued to the stage for the first half of the performance, which was action-packed. The show we attended was late in the evening, which played a part in his attention span for the latter half. The actor/actress that played young and older Simba were both their favorites as well. 

Something to note about Encore Stage and Studio: While chatting with the Executive Director I learned that they, as a nonprofit, hold open auditions for their performances; meaning they encourage and develop local youth talent. It’s also free of cost for selected participants to perform. How awesome is that! 

Get your tickets now for The Lion King Jr. via Encore Stage & Studio.

On Stage This Month

Washington, DC

Maryland

Virginia

Upcoming Performances

Washington, DC  

Maryland

Virginia

Past Performance Reviews

Here’s a listing of previous kid-friendly theater performances we’ve reviewed! Keep in mind, these shows may come back into town sometime in the future or at a different theatre. 

Mean Girls  

The National Theatre 

Date Reviewed: 10/15/24

  • Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
  • Dates: 10/15/24 – 10/20/24 
  • Run Time: 2 hours with 20 min. intermission
  • Ticket prices: $69+
  • Best for: teens & adults

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.

4DMV Kids Review: Best for teens & adults! Much like the movie (& I heard very similar to the musical movie), Mean Girls has plenty of dancing, singing and high school drama. There’s a bit of cursing and sexual references throughout the performance, which again is much like the movie!

Janis and Damian were hilarious and both actress/actor had us stunned with their moves and vocals. From tap dancing to synced moves with classmates, the routines were a hit. They also cast Gretchen’s character well! Loved her and Cady’s dynamic on stage. 

This one felt like it ran a bit long. Although 2 hours is common for a Broadway musical, it felt longer than others we’ve seen! Liv, however, loved it and sang along to some of the songs. She also left with a few questions I wasn’t expecting. This one is definitely for a more mature audience group.  

See more performances at The National Theatre!

After the show, we met some of the cast and Liv got her Playbill signed by the actor who played Aaron Samuels!
Liv & Sarah excited to sea this performance! LOL

Spells of the Sea 

The Kennedy Center

Date Reviewed: 10/13/24

  • Location: The Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566
  • Dates: 10/12/24 – 10/20/24
    • 10/19 at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm
    • 10/20 at 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm
  • Run Time: 70 min. with no intermission
  • Ticket prices: $25+
  • Best for: ages 6+
  • Need to know info:
    • Sensory-friendly performance is 10/19 at 1:30 pm
    • There’s a learning guide for this performance.

When Finley Frankfurter’s father, a famed fisherman, is struck by the Big Bad Sickness of the Sea, she embarks on an extraordinary quest for the elixir of life. Can Finley, a girl with dreams as vast as the ocean but plagued by self-doubt, save her father against all odds?

4DMV Kids Review: Calling all mermaids and mermen, princesses and princes! This musical tale has beautiful costumes, sea creatures, funny and sad moments and is “magical” from start to finish but “dark at times”. Liv mentioned the magical part as she described the songs and funny moments. There are themes of loss and grief embedded in the story, which made it dark at times. Even though some of the songs were sad, the beautiful voices kept us wanting more.

Make sure to mention to your child to keep an eye on the dynamic between main characters Finley and H.S. Crank. It makes for a good lesson that anyone can become family. Liv’s favorite character was the princess, who wore a fabulous pink dress and rocked the stage with her vivacious songs. This one’s around for a very limited time so make sure to grab tickets quick!

See more performances for young audiences at The Kennedy Center.

Scenes from Spells of the Sea + a pic of Liv outside the Art and Ideals permanent exhibit at the Kennedy Center
Liv met some of the cast members of She Persisted. They also autographed her program!

She Persisted

Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy  

Date Reviewed: 10/05/24

  • Location: Glen Echo Park – 7300 MacArthur Blvd.   
    Glen Echo, MD 20812
  • Dates: 10/04/24 – 11/03/24
    • Wednesdays – Sundays at 11:00 am
      • and 2:00 pm on weekends
  • Ticket prices: $27 
  • Best for: ages 6+
  • Discounts:
  • Need to know info: This show uses strobe and flashing lights as visual effects. Please be advised that people with photo sensitivity may be affected. 

Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor. 

4DMV Kids Review: From the actresses to the production, we loved this performance, which is a little over 60 minutes with no intermission. Liv (age 10) says her favorite part was seeing the famous figures in vulnerable moments and how they overcame certain situations (paraphrasing). For example, Judge Sotomayor had a situation in her childhood where she didn’t know what to do but she persisted. This performance is best for elementary and middle school kids, most specifically girls but I believe boys can learn a thing or two from it as well. Jack (age 5) was a bit disinterested after the first 15 minutes. 

See more performances at Adventure Theatre. 

Liv & Friends with Actor Quincy Vicks, who played Christopher Robin and Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh.

Winnie the Pooh

Imagination Stage

Date Reviewed: 09/21/24

  • Location: 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814
  • Dates: 9/18/24 – 10/27/24
    • Weekends at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
  • Ticket prices: $12+ 
  • Best for: ages 3+
  • Need to know info:
    • Meet the actors after the 1:00 pm show on 10/13 & 10/20 
    • Join the Teddy Bear Picnic on 10/27 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Battery Lane Urban Park for fun activities!

Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day.

4DMV Kids Review: Liv (age 10) and I saw this performance together. We both agreed it started out a bit slow and picked up towards the end, most specifically the songs. This musical is based on the original A.A. Milne story so you won’t see Tigger, unless you look very closely at Piglet’s costume (there’s a stitched figure of Tigger). I think younger children (ages 2-5) would really get a kick out of the characters and movement on stage and off!

See more performances at Imagination Stage! 

The official program from Jaja's African Hair Braiding!

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Arena Stage

Date Reviewed: 09/21/24

  • Location: 1101 Sixth Street SW Washington, DC 20024
  • Dates: 09/06/24 – 10/13/24
  • Ticket prices: $69+ 
  • Best for: middle grade and older 
  • Discounts:
  • Need to know info:
    • No sexual references but there’s a bit of cursing.
    • 90 min. with no intermission
    • Check out the learning guide for more info historical and cultural references.  

Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community. Follow the uproarious escapades of Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi, Jaja, and others as they navigate life and laughter in Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon. With humor as rich as its characters, this Tony Award-winning production weaves hilarious moments with profound insights, celebrating the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.

4DMV Kids Review: SO many good things to say about this performance. From the acting to the cultural references, you’ll think, laugh and shed a tear or two. What I really appreciated about this performance was the display of the realities of immigration. It was both eye-opening and thought provoking. It left Liv (age 10) with a bunch of questions, which was good exposure to issues she never knew existed. She also wanted to know whether there’ll be a part 2, which is a great question!

See more performances at Arena Stage!

Stay tuned for updates to this blog!

DC Museums

Interested in visiting museums in DC? Check out this information packed guide to visiting not only Smithsonian and Smithsonian-affiliated museums but other cultural nooks and hubs on the National Mall and outside of Downtown DC. This post includes cost information and links to museum websites.

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