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!

.

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.