The Truth About Trees: One of the Best Children’s Shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
- Alex Zawalnyski
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The show that had children leaning forward in their seats.
If you’re hunting for the best children’s shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2026, The Truth About Trees belongs near the top of your list. Made by Edinburgh-based Apropos Theatre, it’s a puppetry and shadow theatre show for children aged 5 to 8 — and one of the few family shows at Fringe 2026 that earned four-star reviews across the board when it ran last year.
What the show is about
The story follows eight-year-old Alfie after his Grandpa reveals that paper, if made correctly, can tell the story of the tree that it came from. At first, Alfie is unsure whether to believe Grandpa, but when he starts to look closer, the evidence is right there.
But then Alfie discovers that the trees are going to be chopped down and all the stories lost forever. Alfie makes it his mission to save the stories before it’s too late!
The show runs 55 minutes and combines actors, puppets, and shadows with folk music. It was developed with the help of primary school children in Aberdeen.
What audiences said
Families who saw The Truth About Trees at Edinburgh Fringe 2025 described it as “really enchanting” and said it “captured the imagination of the children we were with.” One reviewer called it “a multisensory experience with music, puppetry, shadow play, and brilliant actors — all great for keeping little ones engaged.” Another noted that “the production is full of warmth and creativity” with shadow work that “had children leaning forward in their seats.”
Who is it for
The show works particularly well for children who love nature, animals, and the outdoors — especially those who like to hear and tell stories. Kids who enjoy making things, who are curious about how books and paper are produced, or who respond well to quiet, imaginative theatre will find a lot here.
It’s also genuinely enjoyable for adults. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings have all found something to take from it — whether that’s puppet Alfie’s determination, the simplicity of the shadows, or just the chance to sit in the dark and watch something beautiful together.
For school groups
For teachers planning Edinburgh Fringe trips, The Truth About Trees is one of the strongest curriculum-linked children’s theatre options at Fringe 2026. Themes of nature, conservation, environmental responsibility, storytelling, and standing up for what you believe in connect directly to primary science and literacy programmes. Apropos Theatre also offers supporting workshops in puppetry and storytelling — get in touch if that’s of interest.
Booking
The Truth About Trees runs 7–31 August 2026 at The Box, Assembly George Square, Edinburgh. Tickets are on sale now via the Edinburgh Fringe box office.
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