EdFringe 2026: Theatre for children and young people

Aug 5 2026 | By Thom Dibdin More

Edinburgh-made theatre for children and young people.

Scotland has some of the best producers of theatre for children and young people in the world. You can see a taste of their work at Imaginate‘s May festival of Children’s Theatre. But some of it comes to the Fringe too.

The difficulty is that productions like Marc Brew company’s Boys Don’t Dance or Greg Sinclair’s Tongue Twister might be intended for a young audience – but they don’t half hit the spot in theatrical or dance terms. Worth seeing whether you have a youngster with you or not.

Then you do have very specialist work, like Harley Earlam’s Brrr, for children with complex needs, and the wonderful Starcatchers who specialise in work for very early years and are showcasing their immersive three hour work Float, for babies from 0 to 12 months old and their grownups.

It is also heartening to see new companies coming through, such as Dragon Songs, and the Singing Willows – younger companies who are finding their way in the sector. Great also, to see an established company like Crested Fools, who have put on some seriously heavy work, with a new play A Crown’s Lullaby, for young people.

And of course there are the perennial pieces of brilliance. That maestro of the piano and incorrigible storyteller Will Pickvance is back on the ivories up at the Pianodrome with his Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) which is always a blast.

195 shows #MadeInEdinburgh

We are listing a total of 195 shows Made in Edinburgh at #EdFringe this year – not including standup comedy.

In order to make things clearer, we have divided the listing up into seven parts. On this page you can find an alphabetical listing of theatre for children and young people.

Here are the links to the other six listings pages:

We are also proud to work with EPAD to produce and publish their annual listing of shows “created, performed or produced by Edinburgh’s theatre professionals” which is here.

Children

A Clown’s Lullaby
Crested Fools
Rotunda Theatre (Pip) Venue 65
7 – 18 Aug: 14:00 (1hr)
Tired of the news? Need a break? Become a clown! Just like SHE did. And SHE feels so much better now that everything is so silly… Until she gets a call from her clown friend Loo Krayina – Mr Bellicose has been mean to Loo again! Now SHE needs to find some playmates to help her cheer Loo up. Can SHE count on you? Further details.

A History Mystery
Performing Arts Studio Scotland
PASS Theatre (Theatre) Venue 446
26 – 30 Aug : Various times (1 h)
A History Mystery is an exciting, interactive children’s theatre adventure for ages 6–10, designed to make history fun and engaging! This unique production blends storytelling, puzzles and audience participation as young detectives uncover secrets from the past. Further details.

Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners)
Wll Pickvance
Pianodrome at St Oswald’s Centre (Pianodrome) Venue 344
9 – 30 Aug : 11:00 (50m)
A boy asks for a spaceship but gets a piano. The award-winning show of playful piano dissection, virtuosity and storytelling, featuring Bach’s wig, Beethoven’s moods and jamming with Fats Waller. ‘Inspirational and empowering’ (Scotsman). Further details.

Boys Don’t Dance
Marc Brew Company
Assembly @ Dance Base (DB1) Venue 22a
7 – 23 Aug (not Mons): 13:15 (1hr)
Boys Don’t Dance is a poignant dance theatre show by acclaimed disabled artist Marc Brew, reflecting on his lifelong journey defying societal expectations to embrace his love for dance. Combining movement with BMX and wheels, storytelling, lighting and an uplifting 80s soundtrack – alongside visual projections and animation, creating an immersive experience for audiences. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com. Further details.

Brrr
Haley Earlam
Nicolson Square Venues (Great Hall) Venue 209a
18 – 22 Aug : Various times (1hr)
Brrr is a multi-sensory installation and dance performance for young audiences with complex needs aged 10-18. Set within an inflatable dome, Brrr is an immersive exploration of winter featuring dance, sound, video and lots and lots of snow! Created in collaboration with young people, the performance is tailored to meet the needs of each audience member to engage in their own way and at their own pace. The performance is suitable for those with PMLD, Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, and wheelchair users or other mobility aid users. Limited capacity of 8 young people plus accompanying adults. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com Further details.

Dragon Babies (for ages 0- 1 year)
Dragon Song Productions
LifeCare Centre (George Young Hall) Venue 524
3-29 August (Not 17-20, 24 – 27): 11:30 (45m)
The story follows the tale of Bertie the Moon Dragon, who falls asleep and forgets to wake the Moon. With the help of eight majestic owls, a larger-than-life unicorn, and two comical frogs, Bertie embarks on a whimsical adventure to find the Moon and lift it back into the sky before it’s too late. Featuring handcrafted puppets and original songs, this Dragon Babies offers a gentle introduction into the magic of live theatre. Age suitability: 0-1 year Further details.

Dragon Tales (for ages 1-6 years)
Dragon Song Productions
LifeCare Centre (George Young Hall) Venue 524
3-30 Aug (Not 17-20, 24 – 27): 10:00 ( not Sun); Sun: 14:00, 15:30. (55m)
When the Librarian discovers a chapter from her book has gone missing, she embarks on a journey to solve the mystery, seeking advice from two sister Kelpies, a clever Fox and an outrageous Octopus. Dragon Tales is a heartwarming theatrical piece for preschool children, featuring puppetry and original songs by Edinburgh based pianist and composer, Jon Beales. The production explores identity, reminding its young audiences that we all have the power to choose who we want to be. Age suitability: 1-6 year Further details.

Float
Starcatchers
Pleasance at EICC (Cromdale Theatre) Venue 150b
9 – 22 Aug (Not Mon): Various times (3hrs)
A beautiful, calm, immersive world designed especially for babies from birth to 12 months old and their grown-ups. Float invites you to relax with your baby and enjoy a gently interactive performance inspired by the healing powers of water. You and your baby are free to explore, engage with the performers or unwind in Float’s tranquil space. Float is a three-hr durational performance designed to relieve the pressure of time. Your ticket allows you to come and go during this time to suit the needs of you and your baby. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com. Further details.

Singing Willows and The Magical Bed
Singing Willows
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Netherbow Theatre) Venue 30
22/23, 28/30 Aug : 11:00 (1hr 15m)
When a young girl moves to a new home, her extraordinary bed comes alive and carries her through dreamy worlds of music, play and imagination. Together they discover friendship, courage and the joys of growing up. With playful audience participation, original songs, enchanting visuals and multilingual storytelling with integrated BSL, the audience are invited to dream, laugh and explore in this wonderful musical adventure. Ideal for ages 5+ and their grown-ups, but open to all. Further details.

Smashing Shakespeare
Captivate Theatre
Assembly @ St Andrew Square (Bijou) Venue 172
7 – 30 Aug (Fri-Sun + 10, 11, 24): 10:45 (1hr)
Primary Times Children’s Choice Award winner Brave Macbeth returns to the Fringe with a new score. ‘A hilarious, song-packed hr of fun’ (PrimaryTimes). ‘One of the best children’s shows at the Fringe’ (BroadwayBaby.com). Further details.

The Small Bright Things
Flat 4 Collective / Alexandra Jorg
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Central Youth Hostel (Conference Room) Venue 142
15 – 21 Aug : 11:05 & 12:15 (45m)
A gentle immersive sensory theatre experience for babies aged 0–3 and their grown-ups. Two Keepers awaken a magical forest through light, puppetry, shadow theatre and music, inviting little ones to help uncover its hidden secrets before exploring an immersive woodland installation together. 30 mins followed by a 15 min stay and play. Further details.

The Truth About Trees
Apropos Thbeatre
Assembly George Square (The Box) Venue 8
6 – 30 Aug (not 17, 24): 10:45 (1hr)
When Grandpa explains how to read a tree’s story, Alfie doesn’t believe him. Once he starts to listen closely, he realises that he is the only one who can save the trees from being chopped down. Further details.

Tongue Twister
Greg Sinclair and Scottish Theatre Producers
Pleasance at EICC (Cromdale Theatre) Venue 150b
8 – 22 Aug (Not 9, 16): 11:30 (1hr)
One man’s attempt to say tongue twisters in as many different languages as possible. Whilst also trying to dance. And make music. And do all the costume changes without leaving the stage. Humorous, colourful, rhythmical and odd, Tongue Twister is a celebration of the musical beauty of language. Further details.