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+