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My Top Ten Children’s Shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025

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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.

My Top Ten Children’s Shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022

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I find this so hard, trying to pick out top recommendations from all the pages of amazing shows to see – we really are lucky indeed !! In 2022 the children’s shows section is jam packed and add into this the circus and physical theatre and we’ve got literally hundreds of shows to choose from…I’ll post some top picks for ‘littler little ones’ shortly, which gives me some wiggle room for some firm favourites here…

As always, I’m super keen to hear your top recommendations too and hope we find some new favourite companies out there this year….

Muse – Flip Fabrique are back and we couldn’t be happier – we have LOVED their previous shows Blizzard and Attrape Moi and cannot wait for this new performance – they always have us on the edge of seats with their gravity defying acrobatics and imaginative use of stage space and equipment. ”What does it mean to be a woman? Muse attempts to answer this question circus style! There’s hardly just one answer and exploring the question calls for some… acrobatics. Playing with gender roles, Muse offers up a refreshing view of contemporary circus” – 4th – 28th August (not 8th, 15th, 22nd)

Hamlet – Prince of Skidmark – Readers of this blog will know that we are HUGE Listies fans in this household !!!! We are delighted they are coming back to Edinburgh this August and bringing this show for it’s Edinburgh debut ! ”This is the bard, Listies style: ninjas, ghosts, pirate aliens, swords, dinosaurs and zombies. Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark is a side-splitting adventure that shatters the fourth wall and glues it back together with supersonic storytelling and silliness.” – August 5th – 28th (not 11th, 18th, 22nd, 25th )

The Ultimate Pickle – Paines Plough have brought some of my all time favourite children’s shows to the fringe in their unique Roundabout venue at Summerhall and I’m really looking forward to this one…hoping for some more of their magical, imaginative storytelling. ”Everything is awesome in Dill’s life. A loving mum, a loyal best mate, a granddad who plays the drums, and Jack Tornado: the oldest and best goldfish in the world. But when a ball of fluff falls from grandad’s book, everything changes forever. Could that be a… wolf!? ” – Saturday/Sundays only – 6/7th, 13/14th, 20/21st, 27th/28th August

Tom Brace – Embrace the Impossible ! – Again we are big fans of Tom Brace in this household after he amazed us with his tricks one lunchtime…Tom keeps his audiences highly entertained and is hugely charismatic, with just the right hint of charm ! I am in no doubt this new show will be as big a success as his last … ”Cluedo, Roald Dahl and one film in particular from 1985… Magician Tom Brace takes a trip down memory lane with a brand-new magic show for all ages. ” – 3rd – 29th August ( not 16th)

Manual Cinema Presents: Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster – Manual cinema create incredible multi-media shows – combining live music and songs, paper cut outs, puppets and diy cinema…its truly unique and promises to be very special indeed. ”Leonardo! tells the story of a monster who longs to be scary and the big decisions he must make along the way.” – 3rd – 29th August (not 15th )

Carnival of the Animals by Circa – Circa have previously brought us the amazing shows Humans and Circa: Wolfgang, so we are beyond excited for this year’s family offering and the awe inspiring acrobatics they effortlessly amaze us with. ”These zebras juggle and flip. These kangaroos skip and somersault. The elephants have rhythm and the dinosaur bones shake, clatter and roll to the music. Carnival of the Animals by Circa whisks you away on a thrilling circus escapade inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ delightful salute to feathers, fur and fins.” – 5th – 28th August (not 10th, 15th, 22nd, 23rd )

The Smeds and The Smoos – Tall Stories have been delighting us with their stage adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s well loved books for years and we’re hoping this show will continue the trend ! For the little little ones out there, puppets, songs and live action will bring this story to life – ”On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?” – 3rd – 21st August (not 6th or 17th)

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings – This show sounds intriguing to me and I will definitely be checking it out. Its also a great reason to go and spend a morning in Summerhall, delighting in all it has to offer this festival season. ”Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s darkly comic tale brought to the stage for children and adults to share. In a kitchen of a theatre, two storytellers and their audience find something remarkable – a very old man with enormous wings. ” – 3rd – 28th August (not 15th or 22nd )

Circus Abyssinia: Tulu – We absolutely LOVED Circus Abyssinia’s last show here in 2017 – Ethiopian Dreams and we are so excited they are back this August with their new show. They totally amazed us with their joyfulness, colour and vibrancy…. ”Inspired by the true tale of an Ethiopian icon, Derartu Tulu, this unmissable showcase of superhuman strength blends breathtaking contortion, awe-inspiring acrobatics and mesmerising fire juggling with a rocking, exuberant soundtrack.” – 6th – 27th August (not 15th or 22nd )

Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show – I sadly missed Olaf Falafel when he was last here, but all I heard was great things – so I won’t be doing that again ! This looks like something a bit different and sure to provide a few giggles along the way – ”Join comedian and children’s author Olaf Falafel for an hour of really stupid kids’ comedy plus a drawing lesson and possibly something that involves fishing, ducks, bumbags and sausages. Family-friendly frivolity that will leave you feeling a lot less intelligent than when you walked in.” – 4th – 21st August ( not 16th )

And seeing as I couldn’t squish everyone into this list – I’d just like to mention that some of our previous much loved shows that we’ve reviewed are returning in 2022, including :

Shark In The Park

Our review here

Chores

Our review here

AND not forgetting our old friends, the very lovable….

Splash Test Dummies

Our review here

My Top Ten Children’s Shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019

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As always, I really struggle to whittle down the fantastic array of children’s shows to a concise ‘top ten recommendations’ – in 2019 we are being treated yet again to a growing number of brilliant and entertaining shows aimed at the younger audience. When I first started reviewing, the choice was much smaller, and now there are literally hundreds to choose from, covering all genres including musicals, magic, circus and theatre….

The abundance of shows makes this task difficult, but as before, I will do a top ten for ‘littler little ones’ which gives me some more room to pick some firm favourites ! I’d like to also explore the slightly older, almost ‘teen’ category a bit more this year, and I am bringing in a new ‘not so mini- reviewer’ to assist with this in August !- so do please get in touch if you’re working on something for older children that you think we should be seeing !!

I get that tingly exciting feeling in my stomach when writing this as I’m so excited for August and all the amazing theatrical experiences it will bring….

I’ll start with an firm favourite company of mine and with only a few performances, it looks like you should get in quick ! :

image of eventDexter And Winter’s Detective Agency – Paines Plough have brought some of my absolute festival highlights over the years in their unique Roundabout venue situated at Summerhall. I’m hoping this show will bring some of the same imaginative, magic storytelling that really does blow me away !!  ”When Dexter’s mum is sent to jail for getting mixed up in a jewellery robbery, it’s up to Dexter and his best friend Winter to get her out. On their journey to uncover the truth and free mum, their detective work leads them to some surprising discoveries. ”                 3/4th, 11th/12th, 17th/18th, 24th/25th August

 

image of eventChildren Are Stinky – Yay !! These guys are back – we LOVED this show when we saw it (check our review here)….they will surely bring their madcap, hilarious, mischievous magic back to the Piccolo tent this August – and it’s up to you to prove them wrong that children are infact stinky – are you up to the challenge ?? ”Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lightning-fast hula hoops and loads of laughs”  1st – 26th August (not 7th/14th/21st) 

 

image of eventThe Listies: Ickypedia – We are DELIGHTED that the Listies are returning to Edinburgh this year !!!!!!! Our mini-reviewers still talk about their last show ALOT (review here )…and we listen to their CD in the car on repeat it feels !! This new shows looks like it will be more of their same hilarious, silly and slightly bonkers entertainment !  ”Australia’s kidult comedians are back with a new show filled with trademark bottom-waggling anarchy! Based on The Listies best-smelling book, Ickypedia aims to answer all of life’s unimportant questions, like: How do you take a smellfie? What are udderpants?* How many bubble machines are too many? What’s the Snot Ness Monster? What happens if you never ever clean your room?”   31st July – 18th August

 

image of eventBlizzard – Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay………….Flip Fabrique are back to weave some more magic into our lives – Attrape Moi last year was a total, total highlight of the fringe for us and we are beyond excited to see what they have to offer this year with Blizzard !! ”What if winter has taken over? With Blizzard, Flip Fabrique take you on a crazy, poetic and gentle journey in the dead of winter, and invite you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. ”  1st – 26th August (not 7th, 12th, 19th)

 

image of eventMustard Doesn’t Go With Girls – I really appreciate shows with a strong female lead or narrative, and this year we have plenty to choose from – this musical number looks like it will deliver – being billed as a feminist fairy tale with an original soundtrack ! The piece follows a young girl with a passion for science as she goes up against a society which believes girls should only be seen, never heard.  ”When the children of Bow-on-Tie start mysteriously disappearing, Abigail decides to investigate further. She embarks on a music-filled adventure to uncover the town’s secrets, topple the cabinet of treacherous animals in charge and prove girls are made of more than just sugar and spice.”  31st July – 23rd August (not 13th )

 

image of eventMorgan and West: Unbelievable Science – We are big fans of Morgan and West and the mini-reviewers always enjoy their magic tricks and illusions …so we are excited to see they have a new show for the festival this year  – and something a bit different as they are bringing scientific experiments this time !! ”Unbelievable Science is an interactive science show for the whole family, where experiments take place right before your eyes! Captivating chemistry! Phenomenal physics! Bonkers biology! Magicians, time-travellers and all-round spiffing chaps Morgan & West have a secret past – they are genuine, bona-fide, legitimately qualified scientists and now are bringing their knowledge to the stage! ”  31st July – 25th August (not 21st)

 

One Duck Down – With the school strikes for climate, and the increase in climate action, it is unsurprising that this year, quite a few shows are featuring an environmental message or using sustainable props and costumes -One Duck Down is one of these shows doing just that, and it looks like it’ll be inspiring for any environmentalists out there –  ” 7000 rubber ducks. Seven Seas. One big adventure! Inspired by a true tale (featured on Blue Planet II) that saw 7000 rubber ducks cast adrift in a mighty storm, jam packed with music, clowning and puppetry and with a set and props which are recycled from the lost and found of rubbish both on land and at sea, join us on an ocean clear-up adventure that would make David Attenborough proud.”      31st July – 26th August (not 20th)

 

image of eventThe Showstoppers Kid’s Show – This is another firm favourite of ours – a fully improvised show so you have no idea where it’ll go next !! ”Fringe favourites and Olivier Award-winning improvisers, The Showstoppers, take your kids’ ideas and transform them on the spot into interactive musical adventures. Captain Underpants underwater? Done! SpongeBob and the Gruffalo on the moon? No worries! Kids (and only kids!) decide who we meet and where we go to create a show tailor-made to their imaginations.”  31st July – 18th August

 

image of eventSparkle – I’m hoping this show may be a little like the fabulous Duckie last year .. bringing with it a powerful message about identity, choices and being your full true self. ”Sparkle, who loves to dress in tutus, tiaras and sparkly dresses, finds on his first day of school that not everyone wants to let him shine. In this playful and poignant show, Sparkle discovers the magnificence of standing up for himself and being unique – even in his own sparkly slippers.”    31st July – 25th August (not 12th/19th)

 

image of eventErth’s Dinosaur Zoo – This looks like it will be spectacular and totally not to be missed for any young dinosaur fans out there !! Erth’s dinosaur puppets walk, roar and blink at audiences and they are unmistakably ‘alive’ and keen to play! ”Get right up close and personal with an amazing array of prehistoric creatures, from baby dinos to some of the largest carnivores and herbivores that have ever walked the planet. Erth’s dinosaurs are unmistakably “alive” and mostly friendly in this fun, educational and original performance, connecting young audiences to the real science of palaeontology.”  31st July – 26th August (not 12th )