Who else is excited that Hamilton is now on Disney Plus?🙋🏻‍♀️

When it comes to taking a small child to Hamilton or any Broadway/stage performance, there are two groups of people: The first group is horrified I’d even suggest taking a child. Then there are those like me who want our children to experience everything with us, especially when we travel. If you’re in the latter group, this post is for you. 

So when can you take a child? Is Hamilton appropriate for kids? How do you plan for a situation where it’s etiquette to be quiet, but you have a ticking time bomb sitting next to you? I’m sharing all my tips and what you can expect. Spoiler alert: we all had a great time!

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?

When it comes to Broadway and other professional stage performances, there are actual age restrictions. So before booking your trip around a show, be sure to look into both what the venue AND specific show lists as a minimum age. At our venue, there was a minimum age restriction of 5-years-old, but again, that varies by venue and show. And yes, you will need to purchase your own seat and ticket for a small child.

GENERAL BROADWAY TIPS

• Listen to the soundtrack prior to the show. Not only will you know what to expect content-wise, but your little one may get excited when they recognize some familiar songs come showtime.
  

  Headphones and Roman’s favorite stuffed animal made falling asleep easy!

• Consider how bedtime will interfere with an evening show. Including intermission, Hamilton was over three hours long, and we knew our son would never stay up that late. Thankfully he easily fell asleep about halfway through. You can also see if there is a matinee show option. The only downfall to a matinee show is a young child may not be tired and might just be restless. But you know what will be the best choice for your kid and their sleep schedule.
• Seat planning is incredibly important. An aisle seat to make a quick escape was a must. We also preferred to be as close to a door as possible. Keep in mind that with a popular show like Hamilton, you may not have the luxury of picking the seat you are most comfortable with, as tickets sell out quickly.
• Manage your expectations. You may not see the whole show with a small child. Do you consider it a waste of money if you only see part of it and are stuck in the hallway? Many will understandably feel that way. We personally felt like the experience was worth the financial risk.
• Have a “worst-case-scenario” game plan. If your kid loses it, can you accept the fact you may need to leave? If you have a partner with you, you could each be assigned an act where you divide who is responsible for your kid(s) in case you need to step out. You could at least guarantee each of you sees half the show.
• Give yourself plenty of time. Prior to the theatre doors opening, the entire venue will feel like herding cattle. So making a bathroom and concession stop is not an easy feat. You’ll need time to get through the crowds and wait in line. 
• What to pack:
  • Headphones to muffle noise. These headphones have been our favorite for travel because they come in fun colors, are foldable and affordable.
  • Favorite toy/stuffed animal. Your usual go-to activities for a plane or restaurant may not work in a dark theater. Leave tablets, coloring books, or any activity that requires the ability to see behind. We brought along our son’s favorite stuffed animal so he’d have something familiar to hold.
  • Snacks. Keep in mind most venues do not allow outside food and drink but do have concessions. As I mentioned above, give yourself plenty of time to get in line for concessions. You may be able to sneak in some small snacks, but you’ll be at the mercy of the staff if they’ll make an exception for a small kid.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH HAMILTON

• Length
  • As I previously mentioned, the show is a little over three hours when you include the intermission.
• Noise
  • My son is terrified of loud noises, so my biggest fear was having him start screaming and crying knowing there would be gun shot sounds. Thankfully, the gun shots sounded like they were part of the audio rather than props, so the sounds weren’t large “booms” and were much more muted than I expected. My son even slept through this with his headphones on.
• Content
  • Hamilton was clearly created for an adult audience. There is cursing in almost every song, and there are a few adult themes (infidelity, murder, war). There is no blood, and clothes stay on. That being said, your comfort level of what your child should experience will vary greatly. Personally I didn’t leave feeling like my 5-year-old was morally corrupted! 

Would you ever take a young kid to a Broadway show?