We love this venue and this year it’s featuring the extra exciting addition of a sauna !! One for the adults, but could be an option if you have some spare time whilst kids are being entertained ?!
There are loads of great kids shows at the Circus Hub this year – so definitely worth checking out :
The Ugly Ducking – For littler kids- A reimagining of the classic coming-of-age tale with an acrobatic twist! Bringing together the best of circus and storytelling to produce an energetic, hilarious yet heart-warming family-friendly experience focusing on celebrating difference and finding your tribe.
Trash Test Dummies – Our much loved dummies are back ! WE love this show – full of chaos and giggles. winning, side-splitting, slapstick comedy, circus routine retakes the household wheelie bin to new heights and delivers a dump truck full of hilarity!
Flip Fabrique: Six – We LOVE Flip Fabrique so are super excited about this ! Dive into this astonishing acrobatic comedy where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and ingenuity is always at play! On this planet, we are within six degrees of separation from knowing everyone. And since there are only five on stage, it makes you wonder: could the missing connection be you?
The Flying Bubble Show – Dive into a magical world where dreams and reality blur in a breathtaking fusion of bubble magic and aerial flight. Maxwell the Bubbleologist soars above the stage, creating millions of shimmering bubbles with every leap and twirl.
The Nose Dive Assembly – We love Revel Puck Circus ! – In Nose Dive Assembly we meet Pierrot, the distracted mistress of ceremonies – but she can’t focus. The circus swirls around her, yet something’s holding her back. While the troupe take to the skies, she’s stuck on the ground. She yearns to fly.
So, sadly I’m moving beyond the little people stage, with two fully formed teenagers in my house ! That means we’re very much up for exploring all that is on offer for this age group – much of the circus, magic, dance, music works for all ages and we’re keen to add some theatre into the mix too if anyone has some recommendations or a show you’re bringing works for a teenage audience ?
See below for our top six shows for this age group, but like I say, its new territory, so always keen to hear ideas…
Murder She Didn’t Write – We LOVED this improvised whodunnit last year ! Cannot wait to go back and see the talented cast come up with more surprises this year – expertly done, very engaging and the best thing, is each night you’re getting a unique experience ! Don your deerstalker and grab your magnifying glass as this talented company use audience suggestions to create a hilarious improvised murder mystery. All you have to do… is solve it!Age 12 +
Tom Brace Saws Himself in Half – Again, we are huge fans of Tom Brace in this household, after originally being awestruck by his magic when we bumped into him flyering a few years ago ! We have seen all of his shows since then, and loved every one ! Bringing a show for older kids/adults this year, we’re very excited… Houdini. Brown. Blaine. Brace? Tom Brace is aiming to enter the Magic Hall of Fame by attempting a world first. Sawing HIMSELF in half. Join him on a journey through the best tricks and illusions from magical history as he navigates what it really takes to become a legend of magic.Age 12 +
The Ruckus – We caught the Revel Puck Circus two years ago and we loved them, we had a loud and colourfully chaotic time ! Nancy is hosting a party in The Beauty. And you’re invited! Just try not to arrive early – she needs time to get ready! Oh you’re here already? Well she’s sending some of her absurdly talented friends out to entertain her guests while she finalises her outfit! Age 12 +
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Police Cops: The Original – We have seen the Police Cops a few times now, and they are just incredible, very difficult to describe their shows, but they are wonderfully unique, completely madcap and you will not stop laughing from start to finish…everyone I have recommended them too has loved them, so we’re super excited for this ! Expect adrenaline-fuelled physical comedy, 80s bangers and uncompromising facial hair. Age 12 +
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All Fired Up: an 80’s Mixtape Musical – This looks super fun and super colourful ! Tammy Tooth’s midlife crisis hits rock-bottom when an 80s mixed tape sends her back to 1987. Face to face with her teenage self, Tammy gets a second chance to ask life’s big questions, rediscover her spark and rewrite her future. Jump into the front seat of the Delorean, crank up the radio and take on a few life lessons from your favourite radio presenter, DJ Neon. Age 12+
Circa: Wolf – Circa are fantastic acrobats, and every show we’ve seen, has left us awestruck. Wolf. A gasp-inducing acrobatic thrill ride. Clad in designer Libby McDonnell’s form-hugging costumes and set to DJ Ori Lichtik’s relentless primal rhythms, the cast of ten extraordinary Circa artists grasp, tear, climb, leap and balance with fierce abandon. For Director Yaron Lifschitz, the wolf is a symbol of our untameable selves: liberating, anarchic and savage. The wolves evolve from disruptive forces of chaos into a ferocious pack whose intense choreographies overflow with raw energy and astounding physicality. Wolf is circus with fangs.Age 12+
As the number of children’s shows at Edinburgh festival increases, there are even more opportunities to introduce even the littlest of little ones to the joys of live theatre and interactive productions…shows catered to very young audiences can be some of the most memorable, with beautiful colourful sets, costumes, interactive moments and lots of creativity ! Here are our top five picks for this year for those under five…
Hello Birds – This looks perfect for babies, a gentle introduction to sensory shows. . Join Bran and Tor in the Garden and say hello to the birds that visit. Help feed them, build soft nests, and join in with their songs. The show uses colour, sound, texture and smell to immerse little ones in the world of birds, using puppets, baby-safe props, singing and key-word signing.Age0-36 months
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Out of the Box – This sounds like an exciting show for little ones, full of surprises and featuring the humble box. Every time the box opens, it’s a new adventure: trick shots, circus performances and laugh-out-loud moments that invite everyone to join in the fun. Darryl’s mission is to make you the star of the show (no embarrassing moments here, just pure joy!). Age 0+
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The Ugly Duckling – We saw the Revel Puck Circus two years ago and loved them, so we are sure this show will be filled with the same warmth, humour and incredible skills. It was a bright and sunny day at the circus when the Ugly Duckling waddled up to their trapeze… Wait. Are we really still using the word ‘ugly’? Aren’t we rewriting this story to be about belonging and celebrating difference? A reimagining of the classic coming-of-age tale with an acrobatic twist!Age 0+
Rajiv’s Starry Feelings – A storytelling show for smaller children, looking at big feelings… Rajiv has feelings for everything. He can feel confident, happy and silly. But today, he feels angry, and he doesn’t know why. With the help of his father, Rajiv sets out on a journey to make sense of his feelings. Age 2 +
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Dragon Babies – Our very mini-reviewers have previously loved shows by this company, so we’re looking forward to this one ! Dragon Song Productions is a specialist early-years theatre company based in Edinburgh. Their shows are a must for new babies, as they integrate an interactive age-appropriate props bag into the 40-minute production along with live music and beautiful tactile puppets. Age 0+
We should also give an honourable mention to our firm favourites Trash Test Dummies, much loved by all of us here at edinburghfestivalsforkids…we’ve seen this show multiple times, and have always giggled non-stop from start to finish – read our previous review here…Age 0+
Wowsers, time just flies and here we are, prepping for another Edinburgh festival in only a few weeks time ! We’ve had some amazing weather lately to get us into the sunny spirit and I’m getting very excited about August and all the fun times it brings !
As always, it is so difficult to whittle down all the amazing children’s shows on offer into a top recommendations list – this year there are almost 150 children’s shows to choose from, and that’s not counting all the fantastic circus, magic and music on offer too !! You can check them all out here ..
We have got some firm favourites returning, and I’ll be doing a separate top picks of shows for younger children, and once again for older kids/teens…I am sure I will miss something new or exciting or unique – so please do get in touch with your own recommendations too ! I love discovering all that is on offer for the younger audiences at the festival.
So, for 2025, our top recommendations are :
The Listies : Make Some Noise – Readers of this blog will know that we LOVE LOVE LOVE the Listies !! I defy anyone to see them and not come out with your cheeks and belly hurting from laughing so hard. This is a previous much loved show (see our review here). They are back by POOPular demand, and this is a loud, fun show featuring all kind of musical delights…For over a decade kids comedy maestros The Listies have toured the world doing shows for literally gazillions of kidults (that’s kids and their adults). Now it’s your turn. Make Some Noise! is a comedy concert for humans aged 4-400.
FLIP Fabrique: Six° – Again, we LOVE Flip Fabrique and have been blown away by any show they bring to the fringe and so we are sure this will be no exception. They are astounding acrobats and really push themselves to the edge, which always elicits gasps from the audience and any children we bring are fully mesmerised. Five individuals who do not know each other receive a mysterious invitation that leads them, on a stormy night, to an old, abandoned building deep in the forest. These visitors will discover that this house has a soul and a personality all of its own.
Massaoke: Sing The Musicals – I have been wanting to go to Massaoke for years – and now they’re bringing this family friendly show to the fringe – we’re huge musical fans in this household, so cannot wait for this ! (I personally also cannot wait to go to Massaoke: 90s live too). This limited run live band lunchtime sing-along show is a dream come true for musicals fans of all ages, raising the curtain on all your favourite hits from stage and screen. Featuring songs from Mamma Mia, Hamilton, Frozen, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, Les Mis, Jungle Book, We Will Rock You, Phantom, Mary Poppins and many more…
The Box Show – We all love the humble cardboard box and it’s potential for creativity and imagination and this show looks like it will provide those things in abundance along with being colourful, fun and noisy ! Four rhythmical misfits turn ordinary junk into extraordinary funk! With explosive drumming, dance, comedy and imagination, this show transforms everyday items – wheelie bins, cardboard boxes, plastic bags – into a riot of rhythmic creativity. It’s fast-paced, funny and full of surprises.
Monsterrrr! with Trygve Wakenshaw – I’ve seen Trygve in some adult shows in the festival before and they have been both bonkers and amazing, he is very talented – so I have high hopes for this children’s show ! Argh! A monster! A hideous, evil monster! With nasty claws, bristles and horns. It’s disgusting and gross and… very, very lonely. So what?! Serves him right. It’s his own fault! But wait, the monster isn’t so bad after all: it’s big and strong, tough and clever. It has nothing to hide and doesn’t give a damn about rules and manners. It’s exciting, different, funny and not a bit boring. Do you dare to shake the monster’s hand?
Dream Space – Part of the Korean season, this show looks gentle and immersive and a tonic from some of the more loud and brash parts of the festival. Dream Space invites you into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Through enchanting puppetry, music and movement, embark on a thrilling island adventure and a heartfelt encounter with a majestic whale. This immersive performance blends laughter, wonder and healing – rekindling childhood innocence for adults and sparking creativity in young audiences. As reality and fantasy merge, the stage transforms into a Dream Space, where stories breathe, and magic unfolds.
By A Thread – I liked the sound of this show, involving thirty metres of rope – and thought it could inspire many young minds and imaginations alike…Seven acrobats and thirty metres of rope… Long spools of white rope run through pulley sheaves and wrap around bodies, connecting the artists’ movements above and off the ground. By a Thread weaves virtuosic acrobatics and intricate choreography through moments of confusion, hilarity, romance, playfulness, fear and friendship, uncovering the threads of connection present in all relationships.
Snow White Rose Red Bear Brown – Theatre of Widdershins have brought some of my very favourite and much loved shows to the fringe in years gone by, so I’m hoping this show will have lots of that same magic, intricate puppetry and sets and will be filled with wonder. Snow White and Rose Red have lived in the forest since they were Babes in the Wood. Brought up by their Mother to be kind and caring… if sometimes a little over-enthusiastic! When their quiet life is interrupted by a friendly bear a new chapter begins. But why has the bear chosen them as playfellows? Why is he so sad? And who on earth is that rude little man who keeps appearing?
Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest Super Stupid Show – New Improved Recipe – Olaf Falafel is back, and we’ve really enjoyed previous shows and are super excited for this improved version ! Promising lots of giggles for accompanying adults and jokes, games, drawing and much silliness for the littler ones amongst you. Expect drawing, jokes and maybe a poo on a pogo stick!
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Mario the Maker Magician – Returning to the fringe this year, Mario promises to amaze you with his tricks and robot. This came highly recommended to me previously, so we’re going to make time to catch it this time round. Mario the Maker Magician returns for a limited season only! Bringing his robot magic live from New York, Mario returns to Edinburgh with a show full of original magic, handmade robots and modern slapstick. Fast-paced, interactive and full of heart, Mario leads you through a romping explosion of contagious energy and belly laughs.
Square Cinema – It’s back – the brilliant free outdoor cinema – in St Andrew Square Garden.
Over the weekend of 13th – 15th June there will be a variety of films shown…
Family audiences are in for a treat with daytime screenings including Wicked, a Paddington double bill with Paddington 2 and Paddington In Peru, Inside Out 2, The Wild Robot and Moana 2.
Later in the day, the programme shifts to Hollywood blockbusters and cult classics including The Lost Boys, Chicago, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Mrs Doubtfire, Twisters, and Gladiator 2, all shown in a relaxed, picnic-style setting in St Andrew Square Garden.
Check out the website for daily programme listings here ..just need to cross fingers and toes for good weather to enjoy it all !
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