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For Children and Families

Explore events and activities available at the festival for children and teens, and check out some helpful tips for families.

Know Before You Go

You can plan your day using the filterable festival schedule on our website. This allows you to sort through events based on your interests and build a schedule for your day

You can add each event that interests you onto your personal calendar. Follow these steps:

  1. Find an event you’d like to attend (see pre-filtered results below).
  2. Open the “Add to calendar” dropdown below the date and time of the event.
  3. Pick the calendar to which you’d like to add the event (Apple/Outlook or Google).

View events recommended for children and families

View events best suited for teens

Download the festival site map

You’re encouraged to wear layers as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center can get cold. It’s also very large, so we also encourage choosing your comfortable shoes!

Make sure to arrive at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with plenty of time before the first event you want to attend, as you will need to go through security screening. See our Safety Tips page for more details on what to expect. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

There are a variety of dining options available within and around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit their website. Please note: each person may bring a water bottle and food, such as lunch or small snacks, for personal consumption only.

Book Signing Tips & Tricks

At the National Book Festival, you can get your books signed by your favorite author(s). Most book signings begin approximately 30 minutes after an author’s program, although some are scheduled before their event. Each book signing will last for approximately one hour. They are so excited to meet you! Here are some tips to make your book signing experience as enjoyable as possible.

  1. Buy your books ahead of time.
    Get your books ahead of the author program so you can head right over to the signing line! Most authors’ signing times begin 30 minutes after their speaking times, so you typically won’t have time to go buy the book in between.

  2. Check author signing preferences.
    Authors have different preferences for book signings. Many are open to taking a photo, signing books other than their featured book or inscribing a personalized message. Here’s how you can check:
    1. Go to the festival schedule page.  
    2. In the schedule filter’s “Event Type” dropdown, select “Book Signings.” Click the “Apply” button.
    3. Scroll down and find the event you’re interested in. Click on the event title for more details. The author’s preferences will be listed.

  3. Be respectful of the author and other attendees.
    The authors at the festival are people just like you! It is important to be respectful of them and their time. Be courteous and ask them a question if you have one! However, it’s important to remember that the other attendees at a signing should also have an opportunity to meet with their favorite author.

Festival Activities

The National Book Festival is full of family-friendly activities and events so attendees of all ages can make the most of their visit. Visit our family-friendly activities page here for a full list of fun activities.

Family Challenge

Want to get the most out of your day at the National Book Festival? Here’s your all-ages-friendly challenge:  

Places To Rest

Need a break and a place to rest? Head over to the Library Lounge, located in Room 151, to rest, eat or read one of your new books! The Lounge also has coloring sheets, word searches and other quiet activities.

The Mother’s Room is located in Room 305.

A sensory-friendly Quiet Room is available for anyone with sensory sensitivities or other disabilities in need of a space away from the noise and stimulation of the festival as an accommodation. Please ask a volunteer for the location of the Quiet Room, which has noise-canceling headphones, fidget devices and other sensory-friendly resources available.

We hope you have a wonderful festival with your family!