Puppet & storytelling
Dragon Babies
“Cosy, sensory show for the youngest babies. Little dragons hatch, discover the world, and find their roar.”
0–4 yrsgentle and sensory11.30am, 45 minLifeCare Centre · 11.30am · £10 · 3–29 Aug
The Fringe with little ones, sorted.
All kids' shows this August, picked by what your child can actually do at each age — nap-friendly times, how loud it gets, whether wriggling and shouting are welcome. Save what fits, and get a tailored plan for your family.
Babies (0–1)
Babies are led entirely by their senses right now — no plot to follow, but they clock light, sound, texture and your face instantly. That's why sensory shows work: something new to notice every few minutes, nothing to understand. Go slow, timed around their nap, not a curtain call. Many venues offer free lap tickets for under-1s, worth checking before you book two full-price seats.
Sensory & bubble show
Bubba-Licious
“Sensory, joyful baby and toddler show at the Fringe. Soft colours, gentle sounds, and lots of wonder.”
0–4 yrsonly £530 min — short and sweetLaughing Horse @ The Pear Tree · 10.30am · £5 · 6–30 Aug
Sensory show
Float
“A gentle, immersive sensory performance for babies (0–12 months) and their grown-ups by Starcatchers. Calm, water-inspired — designed to let babies and carers relax together in a beautifully still space.”
0–12 monthscalm and quietcrying is fine1pm — after the morning napPleasance at EICC · 1pm · £17.50 (£10.50 preview) · 9–22 Aug
Toddlers (1–2)
Toddlers are mobile and impulsive, but their attention span is measured in minutes, not acts — they're not being naughty, their brains genuinely can't hold a plot yet. Rhythm is what lands: a song they can bounce to, something familiar within the first minute. Go loud, short, and bouncy — wriggling is the point here, not a problem. Most venues want a ticket per child from now on; lap tickets are usually just for babies.
Music & dance
Monski Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall
“Baby Disco is back! Monski Mouse DJ-ing for the world's youngest clubbers. Total joy, no bedtime.”
0–3 yrs10am — done before nap timedancing and noise welcomelively music — ear defenders if sensitiveAssembly George Square Gardens · 10am · £12 (£11 concessions) · 8–31 Aug
Clown show
A Clown's Lullaby
“Tender, funny, and heartwarming bedtime show for babies and toddlers — clowning as you've never seen it for little ones.”
0–5 yrsgentle and funny2pm — an after-nap slotRotunda Theatre · 2pm · £10 (£8 concessions) · 7–18 Aug
Nursery rhymes & singalong
Mother Goose Shiva
“Niddry Street is right in the thick of the Fringe buzz, so arriving a few minutes early helps you settle little ones before it gets lively. The prop-sharing element — shakers, bells, feathers — makes this genuinely hands-on rather than just watch-and-sit, which tends to keep even the wriggly ones engaged. Concession tickets are available at £6.50, worth knowing if you're booking for a group.”
0–8 yrs10am, 45 min — done before nap timeshakers and bells handed out — hands-ononly four dates — 17–20 AugtheSpace @ Niddry St — Lower Theatre · 10am · £8.50, concessions £6.50 · 17–20 Aug
Young preschoolers (2–3)
Language is exploding and pretend play is just starting — a teddy can suddenly “talk,” a box becomes a boat. That's exactly why a simple story with one clear character starts to click, as long as it stays short and physical. Gentle puppetry beats anything talky here. If your toddler's shy, sit further back — plenty of shows pull kids up front, and not every 2-year-old wants that.
Live music
The Lion and the Mouse
“Beautiful puppetry retelling of Aesop's fable. A tiny mouse saves a mighty lion — and friendship is born.”
2–6 yrslive violin and cello35 min — short and sweetStockbridge Church · 10.30am · £12 (£8 concessions) · 8–16 Aug
Puppet & storytelling
Hello Beach
“A gentle, sandy adventure for the very young. Buckets, waves, and a magical day at the seaside.”
2–6 yrsgentle seaside adventure11.30am, 45 minAssembly George Square · 11.30am · £13.50 (£12.50 concessions) · 6–30 Aug
Wordless comedy
Shhh! (A Wordless Comedy)
“The quietest show at the Fringe — where silence itself becomes magical. Sensory theatre for young children.”
2–6 yrsthe quietest show at the Fringegood for noise-sensitive kidsGilded Balloon Teviot · 11.20am · £10 · 5–31 Aug
Preschoolers (4–5)
By 4 or 5, kids can hold a full story in their head, beginning to end, and they've usually learned to take turns — which is exactly why being picked to help feels like a reward, not a threat. Prime age for magic, interactive theatre, and musicals. If they're not keen on being picked, sit mid-row rather than front — performers usually take whoever's closest.
Magic show
Mario the Maker Magician
“DIY magic using cardboard, bubble wrap, and household objects. Children volunteer to make magic with Mario.”
3–10 yrskids volunteer on stagerobots from cardboard — expect a rebuild at homeUnderbelly, Bristo Square · 11am · £16.50 (£15 concessions) · 7–30 Aug
Bubble show
The SEND Bubble Show
“Bubble show with relaxed performance standards — lower noise, adjusted lighting, freedom to move and vocalise.”
all agesrelaxed performance — moving and shouting welcomelower noise, softer lights35 minJust The Tonic at The Caves · 11.45am · £10 (£8 concessions) · 7–23 Aug
Scottish ceilidh dancing
CeilidhKids at the Fringe
“Traditional reels and jigs make this an irresistible Scottish ceilidh show for families.”
4–12 yrs10am, 45 minonly £2.50a grown-up has to dance tooLaughing Horse @ The Counting House · 10am · £2.50 · 6–30 Aug
Big kids (6–8)
By now kids understand fairness and rules, and want to be a participant, not just watch one. Circus skills, hands-on magic, and shows with real plot hold their attention best, because this age gets bored fast without something to actually do. If they'd hate being pulled up as a volunteer, tell them that's their call, not the performer's — most will ask, not grab.
Circus skills
DIY Circus with Frisco Fred
“Children become the circus in this hands-on show. Plate spinning, diablo, juggling — the audience does it all.”
3–10 yrsLaughing Horse @ The Three Sisters · 10.15am · £2.50 · 6–16 Aug
Interactive theatre
A Pirate Adventure!
“All hands on deck! A swashbuckling pirate adventure where children in the audience become the crew.”
3–8 yrstheSpace @ Surgeons' Hall · 9.40am · £10 (£7.50 concessions) · 10–15 Aug
Musical theatre
CinderGorilla: The Musical
“Award-winning author-performer Gareth P Jones invites one audience member to help turn his picture book into an all-singing, all-dancing musical. With ukulele, piano, trumpet, loop pedal and two puppets. Interactive from the first note.”
3–10 yrstheSpace @ Surgeons' Hall · 11.40am · £10.50 (£8 concessions) · 7–15 Aug
The full list — every kids' show at the Fringe
Not every kid fits neatly into an age band. Browse every family show below, filter by age and week, and save what works — next time you open Little Outings, your plan's already there waiting.
113 shows
A Clown's Lullaby
0–5 · £10 (£8 concessions) · 2pm · 60 min · Rotunda Theatre
Bubba-Licious
0–4 · £5 · 10.30am · 30 min · Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree
Darryl J Carrington: Out of the Box
0–99 · £8.50 · 1.20pm · 60 min · Underbelly, George Square
Dragon Babies
0–4 · £10 · 11.30am · 45 min · LifeCare Centre
Float
0–1 · £17.50 (£10.50 preview) · 1pm · 180 min · Pleasance at EICC
Frankie Monroe: A Show for Babies
0–1 · £10 · 12pm · 60 min · Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 3
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