If you’ve ever worried that “Shakespeare” and “kid-friendly” don’t belong in the same sentence, we hear you and we’re here to change your mind.
After years of renovation, the Folger Shakespeare Library reopened last June with a bold new vision: to become a space where all families feel welcome, included and inspired.
Families with young children will especially appreciate the sloped walkways (ideal for strollers or mobility devices) leading to the entrances to our new pavilion, new restrooms and inviting public spaces. And now, as we head into our second full summer since reopening, we’re thrilled to invite families from across the DC region to experience everything we’ve created for kids.
As interim education director, I’ve seen firsthand how the building has come alive in new ways, and not just with scholars and theater lovers. Whether your little one is learning their first words, or your teen is tackling Macbeth in English class, the Folger has something for your family this summer.
Family Programs at the Folger
We offer a variety of programs for children and families.
These sessions are joyful and imaginative, filled with stories, movement, and play. Think forest adventures, fairies, crowns and animal characters – no prior Shakespeare knowledge required!
- Our Do-It-Yourself series, DIY at the Folger, allows for fun hands-on activities. Recent activities include DIY at the Folger: Printing, which gives families a chance to help staff pull prints from our authentic recreation of a 17th-century printing press and DIY at the Folger: The Tudor Ruff, which invites children to make and model the most recognizable Renaissance accessory, the frilled neck ruff.
- Our designated Family Programs offer two sessions focused on the same theme with the earlier session for ages 5-7 and a second session for ages 8-11. The recent workshop Shakespeare and Me connects kids and their feelings with Shakespeare’s lines, while A Power Player Spectacle builds upon the themes of an exhibition currently on view in our galleries.
The Folger remains a go-to destination for middle and high schoolers who are reading Shakespeare in school or trying out for drama club. Our exhibits provide meaningful touchpoints for this age group to connect classroom learning with the Folger’s collection of historic books and costumes on display.
Exploring the Exhibition Halls
The Folger’s exhibition halls offer many opportunities for families to engage with Shakespeare’ in meaningful and fun ways.
- Shake Up Your Shakespeare brings out kids’ inner thespians with a digital stage where they can dish out Shakespearean compliments and hurl hilarious insults.
- For everyday fun, kids can try Printing with Light, learning to lay type as printers did in Shakespeare’s time (backwards!) without the messiness of ink and compose their own poems using common Shakespearean words.
- Don’t miss A Fantastical World of William Shakespeare, a brightly colored map that connects characters across plays illustrated in rich, storybook detail.
We offer interactive exhibition paths for different ages, complete with guides and activity kits: the Discovery Trail, perfect for preschoolers (ages 3–5), turns exploration into a visual matching game; while the Decoder Trail, ideal for budding readers (ages 6–9), guides young poets to create their own fill-in-the-blank poem.
And for families who want a little downtime during their visit, our Book Nook in the Great Hall provides a cozy retreat, stocked with Shakespeare-themed kids’ books and games.
An Outdoor Escape
Beyond our indoor exhibits, the Folger’s gardens offer a natural escape right in the heart of Capitol Hill. Families often pause here to snack, rest or just watch their kids play on the raised plinth. We plan occasional programming in our outdoor spaces such as the recent Spring Has Sprung workshop and we celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday outside in April with ruff making, jousting, dancing and birthday cupcakes.
Folger Shakespeare Library is proud to be a place where every child can see themselves in the story.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 2003, folger.edu
When:
Sundays: 11a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sensory-Friendly Supports:
- Sensory kits – including headphones, sunglasses, earplugs, and fidget items – available at the welcome desk.
- Quiet room on-site that can be used for breaks, calming moments or nursing.
Katherine Dvorak is interim education director at Folger Shakespeare Library.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Shakespeare for kids
“It’s never too early to discover Shakespeare!” The library’s online resources for kids and for Shakespeare beginners include:
- Tips for seeing your first Shakespeare play
- A giggly guide to Shakespearean insults, compliments, and quotations
- Short Shakespeare scripts for kids
- Coloring pages for artists of all ages
Pop Culture Shakespeare and Teens with Stefanie Jochman
In an episode of the podcast Shakespeare Unlimited, a high school teacher shares some of the bard’s pop culture resources that are popular in her classroom.
Katherine Dvorak is interim education director at Folger Shakespeare Library.
