Best show for a 7 year old?

Interestingly, OPERATION MINCEMEAT lists a 5+ age recommendation on its website.

There are also several shows with 8+ age recommendations on Broadway right now if you feel like stretching the rubber band a little - or if you know your guests can handle slightly more "mature" material.

Updated On: 7/13/26 at 05:03 PM

Matt Rogers said: "Six, & Juliet, Hadestown, Maybe Happy Ending, Two Strangers, off-Broadway- Spelling Bee or Little Shop"

For a 7 year old? Absolutely not. Some of those shows are straight up for adults and very mature teens. All will go over a 7 year old's head.

OP, either stick to Disney Broadway, something like Bubbles show off Broadway or take the kid to AMNH and The Bronx zoo, foregoing theater entirely.

The Play that Goes Wrong is recommended for 8 and up. That might be a good option with all of the moving set pieces and hijinks.

Matt Rogers said: "gibsons2 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Six, & Juliet, Hadestown, Maybe Happy Ending, Two Strangers, off-Broadway- Spelling Bee or Little Shop"

For a 7 year old? Absolutely not. Some of those shows are straight up for adults and very mature teens. All will go over a 7 year old'shead.

OP, either stick to Disney Broadway, something like Bubbles show off Broadway or take the kid to AMNH and The Bronx zoo, foregoing theater entirely."

All the shows I named will go over a 7 year old’s head? Boy, those must be some really stupid 7 year olds."

No need to be a rude jackass. Yes, all these shows will go over a 7 year oldest head. You clearly don't know any children that age.

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Little Shop of Horrors?

I know it's gruesome, but I've seen children at it!"

I've seen very young children at the Book of Mormon. Some parents don't do any kind of research before dragging the whole family to shows like this. Not only LSOH is gruesome, but it has a not very thinly veiled theme of physical abuse. 7 year olds have no business seeing most shows.

Matt Rogers said: "gibsons2 said: "Jay Lerner-Z said: "Little Shop of Horrors?

I know it's gruesome, but I've seen children at it!"

I've seen very young children at the Book of Mormon. Some parents don't do any kind of research before dragging the whole family to shows like this. Not only LSOH is gruesome, but it has a not very thinly veiled theme of physical abuse. 7 year olds haveno business seeing most shows."

Little Shop of Horrors is gruesome? That’s pretty funny."

Yea and Maybe Happy Ending is for "mature audiences.".

Or just settle for the usual Disney fare.

Is the OP's question for the benefit of the kids or for themselves? Just suck it up like a good uncle/aunt!

JOE TURNER'S COME & GONE.

Has the 7 year-old seen anything? If not, absolutely The Lion King. I took my kids when they were 5 and 6 and they were mesmerized. For a 7 year old, there is nothing that will approach LK or Aladdin. The child would be bored stiff at 2 Strangers and Spelling Bee, ask when it will be over 5 minutes into Hadestown (that would be cruel). I personally would not bring the child to LSOH. Before considering that, I would ask the parents.

In any event, I go:

1. Lion King

2. Aladdin (you may be bored but the child will not)

3. Wicked.

4. Nothing else.

OP: "Any recommendations outside of the usual Disney fare?"

Jarethan: "Take them to Disney shows."

So helpful.

gibsons2 said: "Jarethan said: "Has the 7 year-old seen anything? If not, absolutely The Lion King. I took my kids when they were 5 and 6 and they were mesmerized. For a 7 year old, there is nothing that will approach LK or Aladdin. The childwould be bored stiff at 2 Strangers and Spelling Bee, ask when it will be over 5 minutes into Hadestown (that would be cruel). I personally would not bring the child to LSOH. Before considering that, I would ask the parents.

In any event, I go:

1. Lion King

2. Aladdin (you may be bored but the child will not)

3. Wicked.

4. Nothing else."

Glad to see I'm not the only adequate person here who thinks these would be the only shows currently playing that are appropriate for a 7 year old. This board is full of clueless (and very aggressive ) people who I think do not know a single child personally or actually haven't seen the shows they suggested."

You’re a “adequate person”? Thanks for letting us know. They already deleted all your previous BS, so here you are with new BS. Pathetic.

Take them to rockaway beach or Brighton beach. Have a picnic at Fort Tyron Park. As far as theater is concerned, maybe A Winter’s Tale at the Delacorte? There are also free concerts in Bryant Park and Lincoln Center has summer in the city and Central Park has their summer stage, little island has their programming too. There are also street fairs on various days, these are fun summery outdoorsy nyc things to do.