The 2025 Festival Guide for Kids and Families
Young visitors at the 2019 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Photo by Xueying Chang, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Every year, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages, but this year’s theme, Youth and the Future of Culture, makes the week a uniquely perfect experience for our youngest visitors.
While all of the Festival is family-friendly, many activities are designed with particular age groups in mind. Here are some highlights of the many options available:
For All Ages
Our Family Activities tent is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day of the Festival for families with kids of all ages, though many of the activities are geared toward younger children. Participants and volunteers will be providing fun activities that correspond to the Festival’s program areas. From coloring sheets inspired by Myaamia art to a game of giant Jenga inspired by the Building Trades program, kids can have fun and dive into the details of the Festival.
If you’re curious about the Foodways cooking demonstrations, get up close with the Foodways sensory play table, which will be available every day. Experience the ingredients and materials that will be used to prepare meals, while engaging all the senses—except taste!
Nearby, check out the Gifts from the Land garden. Kids can pick up scavenger hunt sheets to find and draw some of the plants featured in the garden—find them all to win a prize! The scavenger hunt will be available on all days of the Festival. Please be aware of potential allergens, including pollen, in the garden.
For Ages Six and Up
Our Streetwise venue will offer skateboarding lessons throughout the Festival. Daily lessons at 11 a.m. prioritize kids ages six to twelve, while afternoon lessons are open to ages six to seventeen. Pick the session that works best for you! Please note that these lessons have limited spots and will require safety waivers.
While visiting Streetwise, be sure to check out Sidewalk Astronomy, led by the National Capital Astronomers. Kids can learn how to make spectroscopes out of paper tubes, revealing the full spectrum of light. As night falls, look at the stars through the astronomers’ telescopes. Sidewalk Astronomy will only be offered on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6, from noon to 9:30 p.m.
On the opposite side of the Festival grounds, try out New Orleans-style blacksmithing in the Building Trades program area. Kids can design a wrought iron gate with the help of professional craftspeople from the American College of the Building Arts.
While you’re visiting the blacksmiths program, pick up the Building Trades Scavenger Hunt sheet, offered every day of the Festival. Through the scavenger hunt, young visitors will dive into the world of the carvers, painters, blacksmiths, plasterers, and other artisans who practice traditional building trades. Turn the completed sheet in for a small prize!
For Ages Ten and Up
Looking for activities for older kids? Head indoors to the Arts + Industries Building for exciting Media Arts Workshops. (Bonus: if you need to cool down, the building is air-conditioned!)
At these workshops, kids can make cyanotype prints, developed using special ink and sunlight; upcycle old records with vinyl painting; or create a stop-motion animation sequence. These activities will be offered every afternoon from noon to 4 p.m. and will be limited to ten participants at a time (first come, first served).
The Arts + Industries Building is also home to the “Fold a Poem” workshop, where visitors can learn to write and create their own zines. This workshop is offered on Thursday, July 3, and Saturday, July 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m.
For Ages Thirteen and Up
Young people interested in getting involved in their community can visit the Arts + Industries Building for Plugged In: D.C.-Area Community Resources Fair. A wide range of organizations that specialize in youth involvement will be tabling, and teenage visitors are sure to find roles that are perfect for their unique interests and skills. The Resources Fair will be active every day from noon to 4 p.m.
Future pop stars can practice their skills in the Rebel Song Academy’s Popcorn Songwriting workshops. Visitors with all levels of musical experience can work together to create a song and are even welcome to bring their own instruments. Popcorn Songwriting takes place 11 to 11:45 a.m. on July 2, 3 to 3:45 p.m. on July 3 and 5, and 2 to 2:45 p.m. on July 7 in the Music Room tent.
Finally, what better way to celebrate the teenage experience than prom? On Saturday, July 5, finish the day with Prom in the Park, and dance the night away to live music. Prom in the Park will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and is open to visitors of all ages, so bring your whole family—not just teens!
For more comprehensive information, check out this Family-Friendly Activities schedule.
Other helpful links:
Ella Peters is an intern in the Festival’s Folklife Storytellers Workshop and a rising senior at Georgetown University studying anthropology and government.
