Family and Children’s Events at DBF24

This year at the Dublin Book Festival, come join the fun at our family events! Here, kids can enjoy amazing stories about fairy queens, evil ducks and much more, join in draw-alongs, workshops, and go on exciting treasure hunts around the grounds of Dublin Castle. There’s something for everyone, from the explorers to the storytime lovers and avid young readers.

On Saturday November 9th at 10:45 am, poet and storyteller Chrissy Donoghue Ward is performing The Fairy Queen, a story of magic and triumph stemming from the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community, with an opportunity for the children to also do some drawing. Book Here. Our Fighting Words Story Writing Workshop at 11am is currently booked out but stay tuned in case more tickets free up!

At 11am, grab your seats and hang on tight, top gun storyteller Niall de Búrca is about! Book here

If you love reading but need book recommendations, join the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic at The Printworks in Dublin Castle from 11am to 3pm! The Book Doctors will provide personalized book lists for each child, with no pre-booking required, but spaces are limited to the first 16 children on a first come, first served basis.

At 12pm, join bestselling author Erika McGann as she reads from her book Chasing the Shy Town, a fun and fantastical story about the impossibility of being perfect. Book here. Then stick around and join author-illustrator Chris Judge at 1.30pm for an exciting graphic novel workshop around his book Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune. Booked out. At 2.45pm, join author Kieran Fanning and illustrator Mark Hill for a hair-raising event of storytelling and drawing around their book Haunted Ireland… if you dare! Booked out.

Kick off your Sunday morning with Robin Stevens at 10am on November 10th as she brings you a riveting event around her book The Most Unladylike Puzzle Book. Booked out.  Join us at 11am for a hands-on event with author Michelle Darmody, who will share the journey of food from seed to table, including practical tips and fun discussions. Book here. Kids can also participate in The Moth and the Moon workshop with author-illustrator Margaret Anne Suggs, where they’ll design their own moths and moons. Book here.

Lottie Brooks is back and brilliant as ever! Join author-illustrator Katie Kirby at 12pm to find out more about the latest in the series, The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks. Book here. Also at 12pm, author and underwater filmmaker Vincent Hyland takes you on a magical journey with Greater Skellig’s weird and wonderful underwater marine life. Book here.

Then time for some DIY to grow your own Elder Wand. Join Orla Farrell, founder of the Easy Treesie – Crann Project, at 12:30 pm for a magical workshop where young book lovers can learn how to plant and grow their own Elder Wand into a Wand Tree. Discover the enchanting connection between nature and magic, and feel free to wear your best magical attire for the occasion! Free drop-in with limited spaces. 

Join author Eve McDonnell on at 1:30 pm to explore her novel The Last Boy, where you’ll create a giant festival WISHPRINT for the Leonids meteor shower. Book here. Then at 2:45 pm, bestselling author Hannah Gold will introduce Turtle Moon, sharing turtle facts and tips for becoming a planet superhero. Book Here.

For an exciting family-friendly day out, join us at Dublin Castle on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3:30 pm, featuring a treasure hunt, arts and crafts at the DBF Creative Station, a Children’s Book Swap, and the ‘Plant Your Own’ tent for budding gardeners. 

To add to your own collection drop by the DBF bookshop and check out our selection. Opening at 11am on Friday at The Printworks in Dublin Castle, we’ll be showcasing many of Ireland’s amazing writers and publishers, ranging from children’s books writers to works for parents to enjoy. 

If you’re joining us for an event, don’t forget all the drop-in activities our Festival Hub has to offer, so why not allow some time before or after your event to enjoy a range of activities that don’t require any pre-booking, from arts and crafts and book swaps to exhibitions and more!

As always, our Family and Children’s programme remains fully free to attend. By donating to any amount when joining us for some of our free events, you will be contributing towards ensuring future DBF events remain accessible to as many as possible.