Shakespeare Week
Shakespeare Week is a yearly national celebration that brings young children close to the magic of the Bard through simple, playful ways.
Teachers, parents, home educators, and cultural groups get a treasure trove of fun resources from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
These include stories, challenges, broadcasts, and activities that spark curiosity and creative thinking. It gives kids their first brush with his characters and language in a friendly, playful tone.
The idea is to light up learning with laughter and movement, not with heavy lessons.
People love it because it welcomes every child to enjoy storytelling and express ideas in their own way. Schools and families across the UK join in. They use the free tools to explore drama, voice, and play.
That mix of activity and art helps children feel confident, curious, and lively.
The celebration has already touched millions of kids across thousands of schools since it began. It unfolds like a story—simple, bright, and full of fun at every turn.
How to Celebrate Shakespeare Week
You can open this celebration with simple, fun ideas that bring Shakespeare alive for everyone.
Play a Scene Together
Pick a short passage from a play. Read it out loud with friends or family. Sources suggest letting everyone try parts of a scene to spark a connection.
Write Your Own Sonnet
Use the classic 14‑line form. Try rhyme and rhythm in your own words. Guides encourage crafting original sonnets just for this week.
Watch Different Versions
Pick a scene from a play (like Macbeth). Watch two versions—stage and film. Compare acting, sets, costumes, and tone.
Use Free Online Resources
Visit the official Shakespeare Week website for free tools. You’ll find workshops, storytelling, and resources for all ages.
Create a Puppet Show
Make simple puppets. Act out a short story or dialogue. It’s playful and creative—and schools often include puppet crafts during the week.
Join a Live or Online Workshop
Check for local or online events. Many cultural groups and schools offer live storytelling or drama sessions during the week.
History of Shakespeare Week
Shakespeare Week began in 2014 as a national project created by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The first event marked the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth and gave children across the UK a chance to meet his words in playful, friendly ways.
Instead of heavy lessons, the program offered stories, activities, and resources designed to spark joy and curiosity.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, developed the idea. Its goal was to help schools, families, and cultural groups open Shakespeare’s world to children at the primary level.
Free materials were made available to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, could participate in the celebration. This focus on inclusion gave the project its wide appeal and lasting strength.
The impact grew quickly. Within ten years, Shakespeare Week had reached millions of children across thousands of schools.
Each year, new partners joined, including libraries, museums, and theatres. Their combined efforts turned the week into a lively national tradition.
At its heart, Shakespeare Week continues to highlight the joy of stories, performance, and imagination.
It offers children a chance to see Shakespeare not as distant history but as a living voice full of fun and adventure.
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