August 14, 2025 National Book Festival Offers Free Activities for Readers of All Ages

With free activities for readers and attendees of all ages, the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival will continue to unite book lovers on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There is something for everyone at the festival, which offers a variety of author programs on stages and free activities for families. The schedule tool at loc.gov/bookfest can be used to find programs by genre, stage and event type. Interested attendees can also search by author names. The 2025 festival features more than 90 authors and illustrators.

On the Main Stage, R.L. Stine shares his two new books that aim to frighten. Also on the Main Stage, actor Geena Davis speaks with National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett about her debut picture book about growing up tall. Leigh Bardugo, known for her young adult fantasy works, and illustrator John Picacio also unveil their first picture book. Fantasy lovers can learn about the latest installment in Tracy Deonn’s “Legendborn” cycle and Katherine Applegate’s newest book, “Pocket Bear.” Young readers who appreciate mysteries, thrillers, graphic novels, romance, history, science and more can hear from authors such as Tiffany D. Jackson, Maika and Maritza Moulite, Jorge Cham, Caroline O’Donoghue, Raúl the Third, Eleanor Spicer Rice and Debbie Levy.

Explore a wide variety of activities and programs for families and attendees of all ages in Hall D (Level 2, North Building) of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See the full schedule here.

Make, Learn and Create with the Library of Congress
Library of Congress specialists will offer visitors a wide range of interactive, kid and family-friendly activities that emphasize building skills and showcase the Library’s rich resources.

• Make a 3D globe and explore how the Library maps the world.
• Discover how braille works through a fun, hands-on coloring activity that teaches kids about reading through touch.
• Get expert advice on how to protect family photos and important documents for future generations.
• Kids and caregivers can work together to create a personalized emergency plan – just like the pros!
• Bring history to life by coloring and sketching real architectural features from the Library’s collections.
• Become a research detective by uncovering clues in historical photos to determine when, where and why they were taken.

Follow the Roadmap to Reading – Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Take a literary trip across the country by visiting the Roadmap to Reading, sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and supported by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. The Roadmap to Reading celebrates books and reading with representatives from across the United States, and features book selections from the nationwide network of Centers for the Book. Every year, each Center for the Book selects a book for youth and one for a general adult audience, creating a list of books called Great Reads from Great Places. Pick up a Great Reads from Great Places brochure and explore the tables in the Roadmap to Reading to discover each state’s great reads and collect unique stamps along the way. Collect all of the stamps to receive a special giveaway at the Institute of Museum and Library Services booth.

The Story District

Storytelling comes alive at the Story District! Washington, D.C.-area literacy nonprofits join together to celebrate authors, illustrators and stories. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., this fun and lively area in Hall D features various activities for kids and families, including story times and interactive programs offered by the nonprofits and many of the authors featured at this year’s festival. 

Featured Story District organizations include:  

• 826DC
• Everybody Wins DC
• Latinx Kidlit Book Festival
• National Federation for the Blind
• PEN/Faulkner Foundation
• Virginia Children’s Book Festival

The STEM District – Sponsored by General Motors
The STEM District is back at the National Book Festival! Spend time in this dynamic space in Hall D to spark a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, where we blend STEM with literary activities and storytelling. Enjoy talks by children’s and young adult authors, hands-on activities and experiments, and engaging demonstrations and presentations. The STEM District stage will feature a full day of programming.

 Featured STEM District organizations include:  

• Black Girls Code
• Blossom Education Solutions, Inc. (OurFarm D.C.)
• Community-Word Project
• DarkSky International (DarkSky Washington, D.C.; DarkSky NOVA; and DarkSky Maryland) 
• University of Maryland Language Science Center
• Virginia Space Flight Academy

Library of Congress Pavilion and Activities

Visit the Library of Congress Pavilion to hear from Library experts about the hidden gems, historic treasures and innovative work happening at the nation’s Library. Learn how the Library preserves everything from rare books and maps to theater, dance and architecture. Explore topics like historic newspapers, the origins of audiobooks and what the Constitution means in plain English. Discover volunteer opportunities, resources for educators and writers, and even historical vegetarian recipes. Each session includes time for questions and answers, providing the opportunity to connect directly with Library staff.

Sponsors and Exhibitors Activities

• Folger Shakespeare Library

Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library’s booth to try on kid-sized versions of Shakespearean costumes. There will be fairy wings, crowns, cloaks, swords and gowns, perfect for photos and impromptu performances. There will also be materials for making bookmarks and a Shakespeare Trivia game for visitors of all ages.

• Highlights Magazine

Join in the Highlights scavenger hunt! Kids can stop by the Highlights booth, pick up their scavenger hunt card, and win prizes.

• National Center on Improving Literacy

Stop by the National Center on Improving Literacy’s booth for fun, hands-on vocabulary and comprehension activities the whole family can enjoy. Learn easy strategies to build reading skills at home and take away free resources to support your child’s literacy journey.

Additional exhibitors include the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Friends of the Library of Congress,American Psychological Association, Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, Libro.fm, National Building Museum, Planet Word, the Library of Congress Store and U.S. Capitol Historical Society.

The National Book Festival is made possible by the generous support of private- and public-sector sponsors who share the Library’s commitment to reading and literacy, led by National Book Festival Co-Chair David M. Rubenstein. Sponsors include General Motors, James Madison Council, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Friends of the Library of Congress, the John W. Kluge Center, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Diane and Tim Naughton, the Hay-Adams, Joseph and Lynn Deutsch, the Library of Congress Federal Credit Union and the Junior League of Washington.

Presenting Partners include NPR and C-SPAN’s Book TV, which will televise select events and interview featured authors. Media Partners also include The Washington Post, Libro.fm, the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals.

About the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.