If you’re not a regular attendee, it can be easy to forget the timeless joy of live theatre, dance, or music. The arts unlock creativity, empathy, and curiosity – skills kids carry for life.
\nIn Calgary, we are lucky to have a vibrant performing arts scene that offers more than just entertainment. It offers an opportunity to raise thoughtful, creative, and connected kids.
\n \nWhy the Performing Arts Matter
\nLive performances offer something uniquely powerful: presence. There are no pause buttons, no replays, just real people telling real stories in real time. For children, this creates a kind of magic that can't be replicated on a screen.
\n“The performing arts provide children with the opportunity to safely experience the world in a myriad of ways that may spark their imaginations, encourage them to think about the world differently, and perhaps inspire them to create their own art,” says Dennis Cahill, artistic director of Loose Moose Theatre.
\n“At a time when screens are taking up a lot of our time, the experience of live performance is more important than ever. There is nothing like live performance and the sense of shared experience it offers.”
\nKids exposed to performing arts tend to show greater empathy, improved focus, and enhanced communication skills. Watching actors on stage navigate friendships, conflicts, and emotions helps children make sense of their own world. It opens important conversations on everything from kindness to courage.
\nWhat Kids Learn from Live Performances
\nFocus and Patience: Unlike TV shows, a play or concert requires children to sit and engage for a sustained period. That’s a skill that pays off in school and life.
\nEmotional Intelligence: Kids see characters face challenges, make mistakes, and grow. This gives them a safe way to process their own feelings and fears.
\nCreativity and Imagination: The costumes, sets, and stories open the door to endless “what ifs.” After the curtain falls, the storytelling often continues at home with their own versions.
\nShared Experiences: Watching something together creates a special bond. It invites families into shared laughter, gasps, and sometimes even tears; moments they will remember.
\nCalgary’s Cultural Playground
\nCalgary is home to some outstanding family-friendly venues. Companies like Alberta Theatre Projects, StoryBook Theatre, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Young Peoples Theatre, Decidedly Jazz, Youth Singers of Calgary, Loose Moose Theatre, and Morpheus Theatre offer age-appropriate programming that’s both engaging and educational.
\nTheatre
\nIntroducing children to the performing arts from a young age helps shape their emotional intelligence, creativity, and ability to connect with others. Theatre in particular nurtures empathy. It allows kids to walk in someone else’s shoes, see diverse perspectives, and process complex emotions through storytelling. Beyond that, live performance offers a shared family experience that builds memories and conversation, sparking imagination in ways screens simply can’t replicate.
\n“A child’s first experience watching a play can be truly transformative,” says JP Thibodeau, artistic producer of StoryBook Theatre.
\n“It's a moment when imagination comes alive in real time, and they begin to understand the power of storytelling as something more than a book or a screen. That moment – when lights dim, a hush falls over the audience, and the curtain rises – can open the door to a lifelong appreciation for the arts.”
\nIn a world filled with fast-paced, passive entertainment, live theatre asks children to slow down, to listen, to feel, and to think. It engages all the senses and fosters emotional intelligence by helping them connect with characters, stories, and experiences outside their own. It teaches empathy, encourages curiosity, and sparks big questions in little hearts.
\nWhen you bring your child to a live show, you're doing more than filling an afternoon; you're investing in their personal growth, their confidence, and their capacity for wonder. You’re showing them that creativity matters and that stories can change the way we see themselves and others.
\nPerformance Groups:
\nDance
\nWatching dance not only entertains but also educates young minds in ways that are both subtle and profound.
\nDance performances expose children to storytelling without words, helping them understand emotions, cultures, and narratives through movement. Whether it’s the elegance of ballet, the energy of hip hop, or the rhythm of traditional folk dances, children learn to interpret body language and develop empathy.
\nCulturally, dance opens a window to the world. Performances from diverse traditions introduce children to global histories, values, and customs, fostering curiosity and respect for different cultures. It also sparks creativity, inspiring them to explore their own artistic expression through movement, music, or visual arts.
\nWatching live dance enhances focus and patience, which are skills often challenged in today’s digital age. Sitting in a theatre, absorbing the beauty of live performance, creates a sense of wonder that screen time can’t replicate.
\nMajor Groups:
\nMusic
\nThe first building block to understanding music is listening. Active listening can look like a mindful moment where kids focus intently on what they hear, or it can look like rocking out to a fast-paced jam.
\n“Keeping time, being fully present, moving to music, using our voices – all of these actions build musical understanding,” says Stephania Romaniuk, director of learning and engagement with Calgary Opera.
\n“Musical aptitude is fluid until the age of nine, which means that a child’s capacity for future musical achievement is still in flux. Although becoming a proficient singer or instrumentalist is still dependent on desire, instruction, and practice, research shows that immersing children in richly musical environments increases the latent abilities they can draw from in the future.”
\nMajor Groups:
\nMultidisciplinary & Cultural Arts
\nExposing children to multidisciplinary and cultural arts is more than entertainment; it's an investment in their development. Whether it’s a fusion of dance and music, a festival, or visual storytelling from different cultures, these performances ignite curiosity, empathy, and creativity.
\nMultidisciplinary arts can combine forms like drama and digital media or music and movement, offering children a dynamic experience that stimulates both cognitive and emotional growth. As young viewers absorb layered storytelling in a hands-on way, they learn to interpret complex ideas, boosting their critical thinking and communication skills.
\n“The Airdrie Children's Festival is a yearly festival with the goal to create a curiosity, ignite a passion, break down a barrier, remove a fear... all by giving our children the chance to see and do things they may not otherwise,” says Tara Levick, chair of the Airdrie Children's Festival Society.
\n“Our mission is to encourage inclusion by removing barriers to participation by removing or reducing cost.”
\nCultural arts broaden children’s worldview. Through performances from various traditions children develop a deeper appreciation for diversity and heritage. This fosters cultural sensitivity and helps cultivate global citizens who respect different perspectives.
\nMoreover, engaging with the arts often inspires kids to express themselves, encouraging their own artistic exploration. Watching others perform opens a door to self-discovery and confidence.
\nIn a world where creativity and empathy are increasingly essential, regularly exposing children to the rich world of multidisciplinary and cultural arts offers invaluable life skills far beyond the stage.
\nMajor Groups/Events:
\nMaking it Work (Even on a Budget)
\nRegularly going to live shows can get a bit pricey but you don’t need a boundless budget to give your child the gift of live performance. Many Calgary arts organizations offer:
\nCheck your local community centres and public library as well, as many of these organizations host performances or partner with local troupes to make the arts more accessible.
\nWant to get involved in another affordable way? Sign kids up for local arts camps or workshops or volunteer together at community festivals.
\nStart Small, Dream Big
\nIf your child has never been to a live show, start with a short, interactive performance designed for young audiences. Bring snacks, prepare them for what to expect, and keep the mood light. If your older child is taking their first dive into the arts, give them a heads up on what to expect as well. Let them watch videos of a similar performance before you go.
\nHere is a list of some of the productions that are appropriate for different age ranges.
\nThat sparkle in their eyes when the curtain rises? That’s more than entertainment. That’s molding their minds and creating memories for years to come. Supporting local arts inspires the next generation and builds a vibrant city for all. Many local groups make it easy with family pricing, accessible shows, and welcoming spaces.
\nLearn more about what exciting shows are coming up in Calgary and the surrounding area on Calgary’s Child online calendar at calgaryschild.com/calendar. CCM
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