Tips for children's theatre in Berlin

Whether it's a spring holiday, summer trip, autumn weekend or winter city break - a visit to Berlin's children's theatre is one of the best experiences for families who want to discover Berlin. When the rain falls outside, the cold sets in in winter or you simply fancy an imaginative break from the hustle and bustle of the city, the city's children's theatres offer magical moments for all ages.

Here, fairy tale classics are retold, social issues are dealt with in a child-friendly way and puppets come to life. The cheerful melodies and imaginative productions not only make children's eyes light up - adults also experience a magical journey back to their own childhood. Almost every district has a theatre with a lovingly curated children's programme - for rainy days, festive winter evenings or unforgettable summer holidays.

Puppet theatre in Berlin: imaginative stage art for young and old

In Berlin, puppet theatre is as lively as ever - charming, imaginative and often cross-generational. Whether marionettes, hand puppets or folding puppets: in numerous small theatres in the capital, you and your children can experience timeless fairytale classics, humorous productions and puppet shows accompanied by music. From traditional to modern, Berlin's puppet theatres offer a variety of stories for an enthusiastic audience.

• The family puppet theatre Grashüpfer in Treptower Park delights audiences all year round with lovingly staged puppet and marionette shows for children from the age of two, young people and adults - from classics such as "Pippi Longstocking" to imaginative evening performances. In addition to the varied stage programme, the family-friendly theatre also invites you to creative children's birthday parties, atmospheric fairytale evenings around the campfire and puppet-making activities.
• At the charming Firlefanz Berlin puppet theatre in Berlin-Mitte, children from the age of 3 and adults can experience lovingly staged fairytale classics and operas such as "The Magic Flute" with handmade puppets in a family atmosphere. For over 30 years, Harald Preuss, alias Herr Firlefanz, has been delighting audiences with detailed stage sets, mobile theatre and guest performances at home and abroad.
• In the Felicio puppet theatre, Karsten Ackermann has been bringing self-made figures to the stage with classic charm and modern wit for decades - a real one-man theatre with heart. His programme ranges from fairy tale classics to opera and operetta and delights audiences of all ages.
• The Puppentheater Berlin in Charlottenburg has also been offering classic fairy tales and musically accompanied puppet shows with imaginative plays for children and adults since 1984. In the intimate venue not far from Richard-Wagner-Platz, visitors experience puppet theatre in all its forms, lovingly staged and often accompanied by live music.
   

• At the Prenzlkasper puppet theatre in Prenzlauer Berg, children aged three and over can experience classic Punch and Judy adventures and well-known fairy tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Brave Little Tailor" - performed by Andreas Ulbrich. Loud cheering is expressly encouraged here when Punch and Judy, with his floppy cap and wit, delights the audience.
• The Weite Theater in Berlin-Lichtenberg is a traditional puppet theatre that has been offering a varied programme for children, young people and adults for over 20 years. With imaginative productions that combine puppetry, theatre and music, it delights audiences both locally and at international guest performances.
• Even the entrance to the Flying Theatre in Kreuzberg sets the mood for a special cultural experience: red velvet curtains and an archaic wooden figure welcome you. A unique concept of sculpture or painting combined with theatre awaits you on stage. Here you can experience the performances in a multimedia way - of course also especially for the little ones.
• The JARO theatre in Wilmersdorf uses a unique mixture of puppets and actors on stage. Live music from the accordion also ensures a good atmosphere. Probably the most popular play, "A Dinosaur in the Fridge", is regularly on the programme. In the foyer of the theatre, the in-house café invites you to a family breakfast on Sundays - with all the trimmings. It's also a great location for a children's birthday party!
• And in the Renaissance fortress Zitadelle Spandau , you and your children can marvel at classics such as Puss in Boots and the Bremen Town Musicians. The citadel is also a real experience before or after the performance: for example, there are guided tours of life in the Middle Ages as well as craft and play workshops.
• Puppet theatre for three generations can be seen at the Mirakulum Theatre. "Die kleine dicke Raupe Nimmersatt" and "Peter and the Wolf" have been delighting children, parents and grandparents here for 28 years. And all in a setting that could hardly be more fitting: The old marionette workshop has 75 seats. The atmosphere is therefore cosy and rather private.
• The Zebrano Theatre in Friedrichshain is also cosy. It shows cabaret, cabaret and chanson for the grown-ups and fairy tales and stories for the little ones from the age of three. Special performances for day-care centres and school classes can be requested directly.
   

even more attractions for children

Clear the stage for children's dreams: discover Berlin's vibrant theatre world

• At the Pfefferberg Theatre in Prenzlauer Berg, children's theatre becomes a real experience: in the middle of the charming historic brewery grounds, imaginative productions whisk visitors young and old away into the world of fairy tales. The Hexenberg ensemble delights with lovingly and creatively retold classics such as "Snow White", "Fischer un sin Fru" and "Cinderella" - staged in the atmospheric Glass Palace, which adds to the magic of the stories. For children aged four and over, theatre comes alive here, touching and unforgettable. The captivating children's and family theatre Coq au Vin is another highlight with circus, drama, artistry and clowning and playfully bridges the gap between generations
• Varia Vineta in Pankow is a charming children's theatre that lovingly brings classic fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen and Russian stories to the stage. While the children immerse themselves in the fantastic stories on cosy cushions, parents can relax in the adjoining café lounge and enjoy the cultural ambience.
• The Galli Theater Berlin delights children from the age of three with interactive play-along theatre, where they can not only experience fairytale classics such as "Cinderella" or "The Frog Prince", but also actively participate in shaping them. Each play is a unique experience, as the actors slip into different roles in the lovingly staged performances and involve the young audience directly in the action through shouts and spontaneous stage actions.
   

• The Astrid Lindgren Stage at the FEZ Berlin delights with a varied programme of plays, puppet theatre, music and dance pieces that lovingly bring well-known children's book classics, fairy tales and international stories to the stage. Whether it's "Pippi Longstocking", imaginative adventures or musical theatre pieces - children's culture comes to life here, bringing a sparkle to the eyes of young and old alike and creating unforgettable theatre moments.
• One of the largest children's and youth theatres in Germany is the traditional Theater an der Parkaue. Its productions are aimed at children and young people of different ages, with lovingly adapted classics, modern plays and exciting performances on the programme.
   

• Small but mighty: The theatre of the small form offers space for 50 visitors, but delights them all the more because the lovingly staged plays are written especially for the little ones and take them seriously. Even as an adult, you will have fun in the theatre of small form.
• Theatre Strahl specialises in plays for young people aged 12 and over and inspires with powerful productions that strike young people right in the heart - sometimes speechless, sometimes loud, but always moving. It offers both classic dramas and modern in-house productions that address current issues and often do without language Whether classic material or modern in-house productions: Here, the theatre becomes a space of experience for young people, inviting them to think, feel and discuss.
   

The sound makes the music: musical theatre and musicals in Berlin

• The GRIPS Theatre in Berlin-Mitte is one of the most important theatres for children and young people in the world and stands for courageous, funny and true-to-life plays that take children seriously and empower them. It has been developing contemporary and political plays since the 1960s. Surely everyone knows the play Linie 1. For younger audiences, plays are offered from the age of 2: Verwandelt, die fabelhaften Millibillies, die Blauen Engel, aneinandervorbei, are just some of the plays on a fascinating programme.
• The largest musical theatre in Germany is the ATZE, which is also suitable for children of primary school age. Here you can see well-known fairytale characters on stage. You will also be surprised by fantasy singing plays with video mapping. The plays are all centred around music and are therefore sung and played, but also narrated.
• In summer, the Atze Musiktheater at Luftschloss Tempelhofer Feld offers an imaginative and varied programme for children and families with stories that touch, inspire and make you think.
• The Urania , on the other hand, offers a more classical programme: the ballet dancers in "The Nutcracker" and "Sleeping Beauty" come together here, especially at Christmas time. A storyteller accompanies the pieces in a child-friendly way. Christmas fun for the whole family.
• The curtain also rises at Christmas time for the lavish shows of the children's and youth ensemble at the Friedrichstadt-Palast. Under the motto "Children perform for children", they take to Berlin's biggest stage and show off their skills in a wide variety of shows.
   

Even more performances in Berlin

From what age is children's theatre suitable?

• Depending on the programme, Berlin's children's theatres and puppet shows offer performances for children as young as 1.5 years old. Ultimately, however, it always depends on your child. Try a shorter play to start with. Once your child has caught the theatre bug, you can also try out more challenging performances.
• Is your offspring a real music fan? Then be sure to visit one of the many children's musicals, for example at the Grips-Theater, the ATZE Musiktheater or the children's performance at the Friedrichstadt Palast.

More tips for Berlin with children