Best Off Broadway Shows for Kids

In the past few years, New York theater ticket prices have shot up faster than someone sitting on a hive of bees. While we are willing, albeit grudgingly, to pay these exorbitant prices for a rare adult afternoon or evening out, you won’t catch us shelling out top dollar to take our kids to a show. So what’s a theater geek to do with their budding Broadway aficionado? Check out our list to find out where you can see children’s theater at a wallet-loving price.

I’ll Take Manhattan

Vital Theatre Company
If polled, parents would probably say that setting a beloved kids book like Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious to music would work out just as well as Charlie Brown trying to kick a football. Lucky for us, Vital Theatre Company seems to have figured out the secret to making it work. Located on the Upper West Side they specialize in family programming, including the aforementioned musicals. They have a simple two-tier pricing system; regular tickets are $29.50 and if you want to get up close and personal with the performers that will cost you $49.50.

2162 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY
212-579-0528

New Victory Theater
As any parent knows, rarely, if ever, does one size fit all when it comes to activities. What your daughter wants to do is different from what your son wants to do, and what your 9 year  old is interested in is so not the same as what your 6 year old likes. It could make you contemplate throwing yourself on your sword in submission, that is if you had one. Well, the New Victory Theater might be the answer to all your prayers, at least those regarding activities for the kids. They feature a wide range of performances from puppet shows and acrobats to live-action graphic novel adaptations and plays. To make deciding what to see with your kids easier, they have a helpful age rating guide. Ticket prices are as low as $9 for some shows.

209 West 42nd Street
New York, NY
646-223-3010

Galli Theater
The last time you took your kid to the theater did he get up, run around, lie down on the floor, make noise and basically make you want to hang your head in shame? You’re positive everyone was looking at you and whispering. You swore that you would never put yourself through that again. Luckily, you don’t have to because Galli Theater understands that kids want to get up during the show and be a part of the action. Actors interact with the audience and bring kids up on stage. “Hey look mom, I’m a star!” Galli Theater puts on fairytales with a twist.  Adult tickets are $20 and kid tickets are $15 for all shows.

347 West 36th Street
New York, NY
212-731-0668

Dancing to the Outer Boroughs 

Queens Theatre
Have a junior theater/history buff on your hands? Take them to the Queens Theater in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and they will be happier than a pig in, shall we say, natural waste that is processed by the body. Not only will they get to experience a concert, a puppet show or a play, which will make them happy, and at a low price, which will make you happy, but also they will get to see some of the remnants from the 1964 World Fair. What more could you ask for? Family shows take place on designated Sundays throughout the year; all tickets are $14 per person.

14 United Nations Avenue South
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens, NY
718-760-0064

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Photo of Fancy Nancy the Musical courtesy of Vital Theatre Company. 

–Mikaela Walker