If you’re visiting the Edinburgh Fringe with kids, the hardest part can be deciding what to see. There are so many family shows on during August that it’s difficult to know where to start, particularly when you’re trying to find something that’s right for your children’s ages.
I’m Ana, part of the team at The Bonham, and I live here in Edinburgh with my family. Every August, we try to get along to as many Fringe shows as we can, and last weekend (opening weekend 8th & 9th August) I spent Saturday and Sunday taking the kids from one show to another.
As we all know, taking children from one festival point to the next can be a challenge, so one of my friends joined us with her children too (safety/support in numbers parents! haha)
Assembly had also kindly given us one of their mystery packs again this year, so some of the shows were complete surprises. Others are family Fringe favourites we’ve seen before, or ones that have been recommended to us.
So, rather than trying to cover everything that’s on, these are my picks from the Edinburgh Fringe with kids, including what we’ve enjoyed, what worked well for different ages and a few useful things I’ve learned along the way.
Our 2026 Edinburgh Fringe picks for kids
After a very busy weekend of shows, we’ve already found some brilliant ones this year. There’s been everything from circus and breakdancing to puppetry, bubbles and an incredible South African choir, with some going down particularly well with the kids.
Here are the shows that have stood out so far, along with a few things that are useful to know before you book.
Ndlovu Youth Choir, Assembly Hall
This was one of my highlights of the year already and, honestly, one I’d recommend even if you’re not coming with kids.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir comes from a small rural community in South Africa, and the show is an incredible mix of vocals, choreography and cultural performance. They perform their own songs alongside covers of well-known hits, so there’s a good mix of music throughout.
The energy in the room was brilliant, and it was one of those shows that seemed to work just as well for the adults as it did for the kids. No surprise that it ended with the whole audience on their feet for a standing ovation.
Get tickets Ndlovu Youth Choir, Assembly Hall
360 ALLSTARS, Assembly Hall
BMX, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing, acrobatics and more, this is a high-energy urban circus with plenty to keep kids entertained. It’s recommended for ages 5+ and there’s a lot happening throughout the 60-minute show. One thing I would mention is that it gets quite loud and there is strobe lighting, so that’s worth keeping in mind for younger children or anyone with sensory sensitivities.
If your kids love tricks, music and plenty of action, this is a good one to have on your list.
Get tickets for 360 ALLSTARS, Assembly Hall
The Truth About Trees, Assembly George Square
This was a lovely one. Actors, puppets and shadows are used to tell the story of Alfie, a young boy who discovers that trees have stories to tell and finds himself trying to save them from being chopped down.
There’s an important message about nature and standing up for what you believe in, but it’s woven into the story rather than feeling like a lesson.
It’s recommended for ages 5+, and my almost seven-year-old absolutely loved it. I’d say it’s a particularly good choice for younger primary-school-aged children who enjoy stories, puppetry and a bit of imagination.
Get tickets for he Truth About Trees, Assembly George Square
Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall & Baby Cabaret, Palais du Variété
If you’re doing the Fringe with babies or toddlers, these are a great introduction to it.
Baby Disco Dance Hall gives little ones the chance to dance around to music and nursery rhymes, while Baby Cabaret mixes songs, live music and puppetry, with plenty for younger children to join in with.
It’s relaxed, fun and designed for little ones rather than simply being a children’s show they have to sit and watch. And yes, the grown-ups are allowed to enjoy the disco too!
Get tickets for Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall & Baby Cabaret, Palais du Variété
CIRCUS: The Show, Assembly George Square Gardens
Naughty, cheeky, interactive and full of laughs, this is a great one for younger kids who enjoy getting involved in the action.
It’s recommended for ages 3+ and there’s plenty of audience participation. Brave kids who get involved on stage can even leave with a goodie bag! It’s an hour long, with plenty going on throughout, so a great one for kids who enjoy getting involved in the action.
Get tickets for CIRCUS: The Show, Assembly George Square Gardens
The Listies: 110% Ready, Assembly George Square Studio
This is one I’m yet to see myself, but it comes highly recommended. The Listies have been a Fringe family favourite since 2008, and this year’s show turns something most parents will recognise very well, the morning routine, into a comedy disaster movie.
Rich is determined to get out of the house on time, while Matt has other ideas. Expect a poop-load of puns, slapstick, improvisation and plenty of silliness along the way.
It’s recommended for ages 4+ and, if your kids like their comedy on the silly side, this sounds like a good one to add to the list.
Get tickets for The Listies: 110% Ready, Assembly George Square Studio
The Amazing Bubble Man, Underbelly George Square
This is one of those shows that’s hard not to be mesmerised by, whether you’re a child or a grown-up. Louis Pearl creates everything from giant bubbles and bubbles inside bubbles to some shapes you wouldn’t think were possible.
It’s suitable for all ages, so it’s a good option if you have children of different ages or you’re visiting the Fringe with very little ones.
Top Tip for this show: It’s always very popular, so book ahead if you can. There are sometimes limited tickets available on the day, but I wouldn’t rely on getting them.
Get tickets for he Amazing Bubble Man, Underbelly George Square
Tips for visiting the Edinburgh Fringe with kids
Leave some time between shows
After years of attending the Edinburgh Fringe, one thing I’ve learned from doing it with kids is not to try to pack too much into one day. Leaving a bit of time between shows makes everything much easier, especially when everyone needs something to eat, a toilet stop or just a break from the crowds.
I’ve also found that most shows always run a little over their scheduled finishing time!
George Square Gardens is particularly handy if you’re seeing shows around this part of town. There are food stalls, picnic tables and a little playground, so it’s a good place to stop, refuel and let the kids have a break before the next show.
Download the Official Fringe App
One of my biggest tips is to download the official EdFringe App before you start planning. It makes finding family shows much easier, especially when you’re trying to work around children’s ages, timings and where you’re going to be that day.
You can search and filter the programme, save shows to your planner, keep your tickets in one place and use the map to find venues (I know some people that try and manage all of this through their normal email accounts, and it always seems to add stress to their day while they scroll through general alerts, non-Fringe messages, and QR codes)
The ‘Nearby Now’ feature is also handy if you suddenly find yourself with a gap and want to see what’s starting close by.
I’d still book ahead for any shows you really don’t want to miss, particularly the more popular family shows, but it’s also worth leaving a little room for spontaneity. Some of our best Fringe experiences over the years have been shows we might not originally have planned to see.
Check the age guidance before you book
Not every family show will work for every age, so it’s always worth checking the individual show listing before you book. The Fringe gives suggested age ranges for shows, along with any content warnings and information about whether babies can come along.
I’d use the age guidance as a starting point, but also think about what your own kids enjoy. Some will happily sit through an hour of storytelling, while others will have much more fun at something interactive, noisy or full of action.
I’ve tried to include ages and anything else we found useful to know in our recommendations above, particularly where I’ve experienced the shows ourselves.
Can you do the Edinburgh Fringe with kids on a budget?
Taking the whole family to several shows can quickly add up, but there are ways to keep the cost down.
Look out for child concession and family tickets when you’re booking, as these are available for some shows. There are also more than 400 free shows in the Fringe programme this year, although it’s worth remembering that many free shows rely on donations from the audience at the end.
If you’re happy to decide what to see at the last minute, it’s also worth checking the Fringe’s Half Price Hut offers. Despite the name, there isn’t actually a hut anymore (in the past, the festival had multiple ‘huts’ set up around the main Fringe areas so that you could drop in on a whim). From 12 August 2026, participating shows offer half-price tickets for selected performances, which you can buy in person from the Fringe Box Office on the High Street.
And don’t forget the street performers. Spending some time watching performances around the Royal Mile can be just as much a part of a day at the Fringe as the shows you’ve booked, especially on a sunny day (just don’t forget the sun cream!)
Edinburgh Fringe with kids: FAQs
Is the Edinburgh Fringe suitable for children?
Absolutely. There are hundreds of children’s and family shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, covering everything from circus, comedy and magic to theatre, dance and music.
Can you take babies and toddlers to Edinburgh Fringe shows?
Yes, there are Fringe shows specifically designed for babies and toddlers, including sensory performances, puppetry, music, dancing and interactive shows. Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall is one of our picks this year for younger children.
The important thing is to check the individual listing before booking. Babes-in-arms policies vary between shows and venues. Some allow babies without a ticket, some require a paid baby ticket, and others don’t allow babies at all.
I’d also look at the running time and type of performance. With very young children, something relaxed and interactive where they can move around can be much easier than expecting them to sit quietly for an hour.
How many Fringe shows can you realistically see with kids in one day?
It can be tempting to squeeze as much as possible into a day at the Fringe, but with kids, I find that less is usually more. My honest answer, two feels like a good number, perhaps three at a push if they’re all within a short walking distance of one another.
Most family shows are around an hour long, but you also need to allow time to get between venues, find something to eat and give everyone a break. Edinburgh gets very busy during August, and even venues that look close together on a map can take longer to reach when the streets are crowded.
A lot of people wrongly assume that taking the bus will allow more time – in my experience, this can actually bring extra work! Edinburgh’s main city bus routes are extremely busy during the Fringe, and buggy spaces are often full before you get on in the centre of town.
A boutique hotel in Edinburgh’s West End to escape the busy crowds of the Fringe
After a day in the middle of the Fringe, it can be nice to leave some of the crowds behind. The Bonham is tucked away on Drumsheugh Gardens in Edinburgh’s West End, while still being within walking distance of the city centre and many of the main Fringe venues. We’re only a 25-minute walk from St Andrew Square, which is operating as a main venue hub for the Assembly Festival (running August 6–30, 2026) after two major outdoor venues had to relocate from George Street due to traffic diversions following a fire on Princes Street
If you’re visiting Edinburgh as a family, some of our larger Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites and Signature Suites have space for an extra bed or cot. Our Signature Suites also have a separate bedroom and living room, giving you a little more room to spread out after a busy day exploring the city.
And if you’re heading to the Fringe this year, I hope some of our recommendations help. We’ll keep adding to this guide as we discover more family shows worth sharing.