A trip to the theatre or an outdoor performance is a real treat in the school holidays. There’s no need to go to London for the best shows as there are plenty of fantastic kids shows and family theatre in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire this Summer. In fact, the brand new show, Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain Part Four, is coming to the Hertford Theatre before it hits the West End!
If you’re looking for fantastic family theatre in London then take a look my guide to London Shows for Kids this Summer… but before you do, make sure you check out the gems that Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire have to offer. You can join Peppa Pig on a big adventure, see The Ladybird Heard, have a picnic and enjoy Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster, or see The Midnight Gang adapted from David Walliams’ bestseller! There’s also family fun at the circus and ‘Little Stock’ is coming to Luton this Summer!
The weather can change and so can the details of events, so please check directly with the venue or organisers, BEFORE you travel.
Alban Arena – Teletubbies Live!
Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LD
On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July 2018, see Teletubbies Live! at the Alban Arena. See the iconic, world famous Teletubbies in their first ever theatre show created especially for little ones. Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love and laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. Look out for the Tubby Phone, Noo-noo and Sun Baby in a fun, bright and safe world which captures young imaginations. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hertford Theatre – What The Ladybird Heard
Hertford Theatre, The Wash, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1PS
On Sunday 21st and Sunday 22nd July 2018, visit the Hertford Theatre to see What The Ladybird Heard. Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog in this glittering stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyard adventure. Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird and a whole farmyard of fun. Suitable for children aged 3 years old and above. See some of the best family theatre in Hertfordshire this Summer! Visit the website to book your tickets, or for more information.
Highfield Park – Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster
Highfield Park Cricket Field, Highfield Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0RE
On Saturday 21st July 2018, at 2.30pm (gates open 2pm) come enjoy an outdoor performance of Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster in Highfield Park, St Albans. Pirate Pearl lives aboard the good ship Mirabel with her crusty old shipmate – grandpa Bert! One day, Pearl finds a stowaway aboard ship. It’s a little blue monster. But little monsters grow into big greedy monsters and this one wants dinner! Suitable for children aged 3 years and above and their families. This is an outdoor family theatre performance so arrive early, bring a picnic and be ready whatever the weather! Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Wardown House – The Secret Diary
Wardown House, Old Bedford Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7HA
On Tuesday 24th July, as well as the 7th and 21st August 2018, discover stories from Luton’s past in this fun and interactive family theatre show set inside Wardown House Museum. It’s not a normal day for our intrepid rule following curator… Max MacDonald is a cautious and bookish curator who leads tours around the museum. Max loves sticking to the rules but one day, the discovery of the lost diary of Wardown House’s first curator, Thomas Bagshawe, leads them on an unforgettable and magical adventure! Travel around Wardown House with Max and learn about the museum’s history, find hidden clues and discover the mystery of the house! Don’t miss this innovative family theatre in Bedfordshire. Suitable for children aged 6 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Sandpit Theatre – The Sand Dragon
SandPit Theatre, The Ridgeway, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 9NX
On Tuesday 24th July 2018, see The Sand Dragon at the SandPit Theatre in St Albans. As Edie and her Daddy set off for their Summer holiday at the seaside, little did they know what a magical adventure would await them. Join their adventure as Paul Batten of Theatrix Arts performs this magical story using puppets, changing scenery, song, music and sound effects. Then, meet the puppets after the show! Suitable for children aged 4 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hertford Theatre – Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Part Four
Hertford Theatre, The Wash, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1PS
From Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th July 2018, don’t miss Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain Part Four at the Hertford Theatre, prior to its West End season! Be reduced to rubble by the ruthless Romans! Survive axe-factor with the Vikings! Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Can Queen Elizabeth I endure her terrible teeth? Will you be hanged by King James I for being a witch? Prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage with a brand new show. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Stockwood Discovery Centre – Little Stock: Discover Dinosaurs
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
From Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th July 2018, book a session at Little Stock: Discover Dinosaurs with a storytelling performance by Mike Dodsworth followed by dinosaur arts & crafts and an amazing dinosaur show from Los Kaos. Each session will include a storytelling session, arts and crafts and the ‘Meet The Dinosaur’ show, which combines science with a lively interactive performance and realistic puppetry to bring you a dinosaur encounter like no other. Suitable for children aged 3 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Sandpit Theatre – The Walrus and the Carpenter
SandPit Theatre, The Ridgeway, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 9NX
On Monday 30th July 2018, see The Walrus and the Carpenter at the SandPit Theatre in St Albans. This musical show, based around Lewis Carroll’s famous poem from ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass,’ is set to accompaniment on the accordion and features a large weepy walrus puppet and his lugubrious chippy companion. Expect hilarity, song and slapstick. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Wardown House – The Lost Letter
Wardown House, Old Bedford Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7HA
On Wednesday 1st, and again on the 15th and 29th August 2018, discover stories from Luton’s past in this fun and interactive family theatre show set inside Wardown House Museum. When a mysterious letter arrives at the museum, it’s up to Max MacDonald, Wardown’s trusty curator and you, a team of explorers, to uncover the truth. Will you help Max solve the puzzle? This interactive adventure, full of fun and intrigue, will spark your imagination, warm your heart and challenge your detective skills! Suitable for children aged 6 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Stockwood Discovery Centre – Little Stock: Discover Puppetry
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
From Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th August 2018, book a session at Little Stock: Discover Puppetry. Each session will include a puppet theatre show and a puppet making workshop. Cuddle up around the campfire as Grandad recalls a daring escape from a hungry shark. Exquisite puppets, captivating storytelling and beautiful shadow puppetry combine to create an enchanting show guaranteed to spark little ones’ imaginations. Then, make your own creepy crawlies in a fun art session where participants can make their own bug-tastic hand puppets, from bees and butterflies to spiders and ladybirds. Suitable for children aged 3 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Knebworth Garden Theatre – Dr Dolittle
Knebworth Garden Sunken Lawns, Knebworth House, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AX
On Thursday 9th August 2018, come and enjoy Dr Dolittle, performed by multi-award wining theatre group Illyria. Dr John Dolittle of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh starts out as a human doctor, but once his wise old parrot Polynesia teaches him how to talk to animals he becomes the most celebrated veterinary doctor in England. Word of his skills spreads and animals across the world send messages asking for help, so he buys a leaky old ship and together with his trusty crew, sets forth to heal illness, right wrongs and gain a greater understanding of the animal kingdom. Bring a low back chair, a picnic and enjoy a magical evening of Summer entertainment. The show must go on regardless of the weather, so dress appropriately. Recommended for children aged 5 years old + and their families. Booking is essential. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Stockwood Discovery Centre – Little Stock: Discover The Circus
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
From Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th August 2018, book a session at Little Stock: Discover The Circus. Each session will include circus performers showing off their skills in a juggling show, a fun workshop where you’ll learn how to make juggling balls and a balancing stick, before putting them to good use in a juggling workshop with the fabulous circus performers. Suitable for children aged 3 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Gadebridge Park – Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster
Gadebridge Park, Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1DN
On Saturday 11th August 2018, at 11am and again at 2.30pm, come enjoy an outdoor performance of Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. Pirate Pearl lives aboard the good ship Mirabel with her crusty old shipmate – grandpa Bert! One day, Pearl finds a stowaway aboard ship. It’s a little blue monster. But little monsters grow into big greedy monsters and this one wants dinner! Suitable for children aged 3 years and above and their families. This is an outdoor performance, bring a picnic and be ready whatever the weather! Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
The Radlett Centre – The Gruffalo’s Child
The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 8HL
From Monday 13th to Thursday 16th August 2018, visit The Radlett Centre to see The Gruffalo’s Child! One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he? A magical and musical stage adaptation that will delight children from 3 years old upwards. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Stockwood Discovery Centre – Little Stock: Discover Nature
Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LX
From Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th August 2018, book a session at Little Stock: Discover Nature. Be enthralled by the giant inflatable ‘magic’ peach and fascinating stories, songs and facts about insects as we travel the world on a fascinating bug safari. Let Old Green Grasshopper, Miss Spider and Lady Bird inspire your imagination as they open your eyes to creepy crawlies and the important contribution they make to everyone’s lives. Then, gain some new skills in the arts and crafts workshop and dazzle your friends with creepy crawlies that sparkle and shine. Finally, get up close and personal to creatures you have never seen before! Nick Wadham will educate and enthral you with creepy crawlies from around the world from millipedes and tarantulas to dinner-plate sized bird-eating spiders. Suitable for children aged 3 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Van Hage Great Amwell – Summer Circus
Van Hage Great Amwell, Pepper Hill, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP
The circus is back at Van Hage Great Amwell! Enjoy the new acts at the John Lawson’s Circus for 2018 from Saturday 18th to Monday 27th August 2018, with shows at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Tickets are £6.50 per person and children of 2 years and under go free but must sit on an adult’s knee. Visit the website to book ticket or for more information.
Forty Hall – The Midnight Gang
Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield, EN2 9HA
On Sunday 19th August 2018, at 5pm, don’t miss The Midnight Gang at Forty Hall. Drum roll please… Heartbreak invites you to come along for the grand opening of The Lord Funt Hospital Playground, a spectacular new play area for the convalescent child. Tom and his friends will be there too, but you might know them best as The Midnight Gang. When everyone else is sweetly sleeping, they gather in the middle of the night in the name of magic, mischief and memory making. Join the gang on this crucial mission to overcome our greatest fears and uncover the magic ingredient to a fantastic friendship. This is an outdoor theatre event, so make sure you dress for the weather and bring your picnics, blankets and fold-up chairs. Suitable for children aged 7 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
The Spotlight – Peppa Pig’s Adventure
The Spotlight, High Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8BE
On Friday 24th and Saturday 25th August 2018, visit The Spotlight in Broxbourne to see Peppa Pig’s Big Adventure. Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George and her school friends including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure full of games, laughter and live music. Visit the website to book your tickets or for more information.
Details of events are correct at the time of publishing.
Please check the details of an event directly with the venue or organisers, before you travel.
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