First Week Highlights…. 2025

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It’s been a busy old week already – we’ve had a few of our reviewers out there, sampling what’s on and enjoying the mix of sunshine, wind (!) and usual four seasons in a day that the Edinburgh weather has to offer ! The dumpling stall is back in Assembly Gardens so we’ve been enjoying that also, and our older mini-reviewers are loving the crepes and waffles just outside the gardens too !!

We’ve been busy seeing some incredible shows, from baby shows to magic, to acrobatics to dancing ! Check out our first reviews here ..

Some of our top picks from the last few days have been :

The Listies Make Some Noise – This was the usual chaos and brilliant nonsense from the Listies which kept four mini-reviewers absolutely engaged and giggling non-stop throughout ! Go on a musical adventure with the Listies this year…

All fired up : an 80s Mixtape Musical – This was unexpectedly fantastic, we loved this hour of neon, classic 80s songs and a heartwarming story about a mother finding her spark and joy again…

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Tom Brace Saws Himself in Half – We love Tom Brace in this household and enjoyed this hour of magic and illusions, with a rather fantastic costumed finale act ! Tom is brilliant at keeping both adults and children engaged with his quick wit and tricks..

Circa: Wolf – One for older children – this was absolutely amazing, these ten performers can do incredible things with their bodies and strength. We loved that all genders within the cast were bases too…it was astounding !

A Silent Disco Dance Tour by Silent Adventures – A few of our older mini-reviewers went along to a silent disco adventure and they had the BESTEST time..they were so excited when we met them after – they loved the singing, the runway dancing and had loads of fun! Highly recommended..

For the younger ones out there, our littlest reviewer really enjoyed both toooB and Hello Birds; both gentle shows and perfect introductions to the fringe for babies – with plenty of interaction and props to play with and nothing too overwhelming for little ones.

And please, we are keen to hear any other recommendations as we still have time to get out and enjoy what the festival has to offer, with a variety of mini-reviewers available!

Pleasance Kidzone

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The fantastic Kidzone at the Pleasance is back…a perfect place to keep little ones entertained this August with a whole host of arts and crafts activities available. Buggy parking and a cafe with lots of great food and drink options make this a perfect stop off or brilliant place to combine with seeing one of the great children’s shows at the Pleasance this year !

Circus Hub at the Meadows !!

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The Underbelly Circus hub at the meadows is now officially OPEN !!

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.

Top Six Shows for the even bigger little ones 2025 !

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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+

Top Five Shows for the even littler little ones 2025

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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. Age 0-36 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+