A joint visit to the theatre is a great way to spend time with family. Watching performances for children is not only excellent entertainment for the little ones, but also a perfect way to learn through play. Łódź, given its long-standing traditions in preparing animations and performances for children, is a particularly special city in this regard. See which theatres are worth visiting with your children.

Teatr Mały in Manufaktura

Łódzka Manufaktura is a very well-known shopping and entertainment centre where residents of the city enjoy spending their free time. It is worth knowing that Teatr Mały also operates here, offering brilliant plays for adults and beautiful performances for children. Teatr Mały was founded in 2009 thanks to the initiative of Mariusz Pilawski. It has only one stage and an auditorium that can accommodate 125 people, but that is enough to create a magical place. Since 2010, this venue has been known for organizing the MONOwMANU monodrama competition. Distinguished guests perform here, such as Edyta Geppert, Michał Bajor, Stanisław Sojka, and Jacek Cygan.

The repertoire for children includes beautiful, colourful performances with enchanting scenography, such as "Anne of Green Gables", entertaining and educational puppet and marionette performances. It is also worth encouraging older children to visit Teatr Mały in Manufaktura, where they can see adaptations of important literary works on stage, such as plays by Aleksander Fredy.

Teatr Pinokio

If you are looking for an interesting idea on how to spend time together with your children, performances of Teatr Pinokio should certainly be on your list of suggestions. This is not an ordinary theatre. The actors and directors who work here strive to push the boundaries of the traditionally understood cultural institution, creating extraordinary theatrical performances, as well as workshops, festivals, exhibitions and educational programmes. In the repertoire and event calendar of the Łódź Teatr Pinokio, both the youngest, schoolchildren and young people, as well as adults, will certainly find something for themselves.

Interestingly, Teatr Pinokio was founded in 1945 in a building that, after World War II, was used by the Supreme Entertainment Directorate. At that time it was a puppet and actor theatre, but today the formula has been expanded to include various theatrical forms and conventions: from plastic theatre through poetic performances to strictly entertainment-oriented shows.

Teatr Lalek Arlekin

One of the most famous puppet theatres in Poland. Teatr Lalek Arlekin has been continuously striving since 1948 to meet the not inconsiderable expectations of the youngest viewers. The repertoire includes both the most well-known fairy tales and performances that tell contemporary stories in a modern way. You can see plays prepared using traditional puppet techniques, but also a combination of puppet work with so-called live action performance. It is worth knowing that Teatr Lalek Arlekin is one of the few such institutions in the world that uses a technique on stage that involves performing shows using marionettes suspended on long, two-and-a-half-metre lines. This is an extremely difficult art, but also very impressive.

It is particularly worth encouraging children to visit Teatr Lalek Arlekin, especially since it recently (in 2014) underwent major renovation, thanks to which the interior of the building gained lustre, transforming the historic townhouse into a fully professional theatre building. In addition to its performance repertoire, Teatr Lalek Arlekin also offers a range of educational and workshop events.

Teatr Piccolo

There are few private theatres for children in Poland that can boast such a track record. Teatr Piccolo was founded in 1992 thanks to the initiative of experienced actors: Anna and Włodzimierz Wdowiakowie. The theatre is located at ulica Tuwima 34 in Łódź and is renowned not only for interesting, thoughtful performances for children, but also for organizing various types of events. A fully professionally equipped hall can accommodate 221 people, and the lighting and sound system of the stage and auditorium have been prepared at the highest level and adapted to the volume of the room. This is very important, because visual and sound aspects of performances often have key significance for young viewers.

When browsing the offers of Łódź theatres with a view to entertainment suitable for children, it is also worth remembering Teatr Powszechny, where children's performances are often held. It is also worth looking for interesting cultural events during summer and winter holidays, when many institutions certainly prepare interesting workshop projects for the youngest.