Chicago Children's Theater and Plays

Chicago has some of the best kids' play to offer families, and our Theater Guide lists all of the Chicago area children's theater that your family can enjoy. Find current children's productions below, and scroll down to see other family friendly theater productions and kids' plays that are coming soon.

Note: Dates listed are performance beginning and end dates. Please call for specific performances dates and times within those ranges, as not all performances take place on a daily basis.

Now Playing

Chicken Little

Beverly Arts Center
Oct 29 - Nov 26
The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling! Join Chicken Little and her friends -- Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey and others-- as she journeys to tell The King the news!

Disney's Finding Nemo

Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire
Oct 11 - Jan 04
The Theatre for Young Audiences adaptation of the beloved Pixar movie FINDING NEMO, with music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen). Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home.

Leo Lionni's Frederick

Chicago Children's Theatre
Sep 28 - Nov 16
While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick daydreams the summer away. But when fall weather comes, it is Frederick who has stored up something special for the long cold winter in a celebration of the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world.

Little Red Riding Hood's Big Adventure

Various Theaters
Oct 03 - Nov 25
At the ripe old age of 10 Little Red is ready for an adventure! Unaware of the danger in the woods, she and her trusted friend, Bonkers the squirrel, set out to deliver goodies to Granny.

Peter Pan

Chicago Kids Company at Stahl Family Theater
Oct 24 - Nov 26

Six Stories Up at the Zoo

Tellin' Tales Theatre at Filament Theatre
Nov 14 - Nov 23
Six middle school students visit the Wienerbury Zoo, a sanctuary for animals with differences. When they find out the zoo is closing because of federal funding cuts they must find a way to keep it open.

Coming Soon

A Year With Frog and Toad

The Greenhouse Theater Center
Nov 29 - Dec 21
Whether baking cookies, planting a garden, flying kites or celebrating the holidays in style, Frog and Toad discover that life is more fun when it’s shared with a friend!

Music Theatre Works' ANNIE

North Shore for Performing Arts George Van Dusen Theatre
Dec 18 - Jan 04
For more than 100 years, the beloved story of a spunky, red-headed orphan who lands a holiday stay with Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a billionaire trying to do good has delighted and inspired audiences around the world.

The Hobbit

The Greenhouse Theater Center
Feb 07 - Mar 01
With a small acting ensemble and a soaring original score, YPT’s engaging and innovative staging reminds us that the least among us all can change the course of great events.

Goodnight Moon: An Immersive Spectacle

Chicago Children's Theatre
Apr 11 - Jun 07
This musical based on Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved children’s book is drenched in primary colors that pay homage to Clement Hurd’s vivid illustrations in an all-new, immersive setting.

Dog Man the Musical

Centre East at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
May 02 - May 02
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture! Can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Will Petey the world’s most evil cat finally defeat our canine hero? And can George and Harold finish their comic before lunchtime?

The Hula Hoopin' Queen

The Greenhouse Theater Center
May 09 - May 31
Evanston playwright Gloria Bond Clunie’s sweet, funny, and energetic adaptation follows three Harlem girls as they vie for the crown of Hula-Hoopin’ Queen!