Toddler friendly ballet shows/performances?

[icclemunchy]

Do they exist? DD (3.5) already does ballet and loves it. I'd like to take her to watch a show but with her age I can't be sure she'll sit quietly for the whole thing.

Am I likely to find anything suitable (were in London) or should I just wait till she's older?

[Imperial]

Google 'my first ballet' - I took DD to see Cinderella a couple of years ago and she loved it. We also went to see the Snowman at Christmas when she was about 3 and that was magical.

[frankie5]

Definitely recommend The Snowman - it is wonderful.

[dancestomyowntune]

angelina ballerina is currently touring the uk.

we took dd when she was 4 to a 'proper' ballet and she was enthralled. there are usually good childrens performances tho, especially in london.

[dontmesswithmytutu]

Northern ballet's children's ballets are perfect for pre-schoolers and older children (mine we're 3,7 & 8 at last show, all entranced). The ugly duckling, three little pigs are fantastic (both been shown on cbeebies too) and the elves and the shoemaker is coming sooner.

[dontmesswithmytutu]

I meant coming soon. Also performances are only approx 45 mins. Perfect for preschoolers .

[LadyEnglefield]

Another vote for 'my first ballet' shows by the English National Ballet.

Took DDs to see My First Sleeping Beauty a couple of years ago. They are narrated and aimed specifically at young children so they're used to a little audience disturbance

I think you've missed the 2014 tour but sign up for email updates on the 2015 one.

Also, we took DDs to see The Nutcracker (I think it was the Royal Ballet one) at Christmas when they were about 6. There are special shows where children go for free. They were totally entranced by the whole experience.

[Madcats]

DEFINITELY look out for the "My First Ballet"s in the Spring and The Snowman in November/December that Sadlers Wells do at the Peacock Theatre (near Holburn tube). They might tour too. The former are narrated so the children know what is going on. We loved The Snowman too.

If you go expecting to be interrupted by a couple of toddlers, you should be pleasantly surprised how great it is for little ballet dancers. Dressing up in tutus/as fairies isn't obligatory.

Now that we have a couple of these under our belt (DD now7) is safe to take to a proper ballet if she knows the story.

[NormHonal]

Agree the "My First Ballet" is good and the Northern Ballet - they are the ones you see on CBeebies.

Don't fork out for The Nutcracker yet, my DD went aged 5 and still couldn't sit still for long enough to appreciate it.

[AmeliaPeabody]

My eldest went to see Nutcracker from 3 years, Cinderella etc from four (though I think places like ROH may have five year minimum requirement). But we booked matinee performances and seats close to the exit in those days.

[AmeliaPeabody]

Yes, Northern Ballet children's ballets are very good too.

[erin99]

Ballet Black are touring with 'dogs don't do ballet' for age 3+, but I don't know if they have any London dates.

Travelling Light have done some wonderful contemporary dance shows that are suitable for 3 year olds. I don't know how to link to Youtube but try searching there for "Boing travelling light".