Let's be clear about this from the start. This sort of activity means you will have to sit for up to 90 minutes in a confined area, or at least in the vicinity of your seats and listen and watch what can best be described as a group of professional dancers/actors etc trying to retain a modicum of dignity as they prance around in garish costumes entertaining under 5s. In terms of street cred, they have none. After you are seen going to one of these, you won't either...

There are several kids shows about, our experience extends only to the TV affiliated ones though and for our sins these seem to be the most expensive of all. Anything associated with a brand will have a premium attached and the fantastic news is that there is no distinction between adult & child prices, you will get clobbered for a full price seat for everyone. They generally fall into two types:

Characters

That is, any old actor who is capable of doing the moves dressed in an oversize costume. The thing is, you go to see The Tweenies, but the actors inside the costumes could be a student straight out of drama school, an experienced artiste, or it could be the bloke next door. You really have no way of knowing.

What you get for your money with these is the costumes bumbling around the stage telling some haphazard story which has to be simple enough for a three year old to follow. Throw in a few songs and you're on your way to something which may keep them near enough to their seats for you not to worry. Guaranteed to keep the kids watching, but boring you half to death.

Real People

Like The Wiggles or Hi 5. Although much the same, the cringe factor is far greater for parents with these, especially if you are dangerously near the front so that the people on stage can see you. There's always a chance they might clock you and smile.

With these, the emphasis is on songs and lots of them. Since your kids are probably fans of the group (why else would you be there?) they will probably know a lot of the words & dance routines, so there isn't really a lot for them to follow. Also, these shows tend to have very little spent on scenery etc, there really isn't any point, so it's a case of just turn up and dance.

Watch out for those pesky buggers on stage though, as they may try to get all the adults up for the last song to join in. Their shame knows no limit.

General

Kids love shows. They are likely to be entertained throughout the time they are there, although there is always the odd bugger having a hissy fit somewhere. Remember to do the toilet thing before the show starts and not fill the kids up with fizzy pop and e numbers beforehand otherwise you will very much regret it.

Overall, they are good fun for the kids, if not the parents but if you have more than one little person to take it can work out to be a small fortune just for the tickets.