award-winning music classes for little ones
Songs for the whole family.
Live acoustic music, familiar faces, and songs you will find yourselves singing all week. Little Folkies brings babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups together to sing, move, play, and make music.
For children ages 0–5 and their grown-ups. No musical experience needed.
Teacher Training & Certification
Learn the songs, musical skills, and playful approach behind Little Folkies. Training is open to everyone, with a separate application pathway for teacher certification.
Little Folkies boxset out on smithsonian folkways!
Little Folkies 4-CD and book Box Set
Songs for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter is a four-volume box set of original folk music for young children, created to celebrate the rhythms of the seasons through song, movement, and connection. Available now!
Designed for parents, teachers, and children ages 0–5, this collection brings the Little Folkies music experience into the home with joyful, interactive songs rooted in traditional folk music and early childhood education.
'Songs for spring, summer, fall and winter’
Little Folkies is a multi-award-winning, early-childhood folk music program developed by acclaimed musician Irena Eide that features a joyful treasury of original and traditional folk songs to inspire singing and movement. The songs collected on this 4-CD set are the cornerstone of the Little Folkies repertoire, with one volume dedicated to each of the year’s four seasons. Each CD is accompanied by a songbook with printed sheet music, encouraging parents, teachers, caregivers, and kids from infancy through early elementary school to sing and play along with the charming, engaging songs about furry critters, outer space, daily routines, and more. Whether listened to at home, in the classroom, outdoors, or on the move, Little Folkies encourages sharing and discovery, and nurtures everyone’s love of music and play. Recommended for children ages 0-5
Why Little Folkies?
Little Folkies gives young children a joyful, pressure-free introduction to music through
live acoustic singing, movement, rhythm, play, and connection.
Rooted in the American folk tradition and created especially for little ones, our classes help children build a musical foundation while developing confidence, creativity, coordination, and a lifelong love of making music.
build musical confidence
At Little Folkies, we believe
every child is musical.
There’s no pressure to perform and no “right” kind of singing voice. Children are encouraged to listen, explore, move, sing, and participate in their own way and at their own pace. By making music together week after week, children begin to find their voices, trust their instincts, and experience the joy of expressing themselves through music.
screen-free learning
Little Folkies offers a refreshing break from the digital world.
Classes are filled with live acoustic music, singing, movement, rhythm games, hands-on instrument exploration, and imaginative play—giving children the opportunity to learn through their whole bodies while connecting with their grown-ups and other families.
No screens. No flashing toys. Just real people making real music together.
move, play & express
Little ones are made to move.
Our songs incorporate dancing, finger play, hand movements, rhythm, call-and-response, and simple musical activities that give children a positive outlet for all that wonderful energy.
Grown-ups join in too, modeling participation while children gradually begin moving, singing, and making the songs their own.
Made by musicians. Shared by families.
Created by singer-songwriter and music educator Irena Eide, Little Folkies has brought children and families together through folk music since 2009.
Our teachers share a love of acoustic music and a welcoming approach to making it with young children. At the heart of the program is Songs for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
We believe music is for everyone, and making it together should feel good.
Contact us
Contact us
Frequently asked questions
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Our classes are designed for children from birth to five years old. It's never too early to start!
We create a welcoming environment for all stages, from infants who can absorb the music and rhythms to preschoolers who are ready to sing, dance, and play along with the group.
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Absolutely! Our classes are a positive outlet for all that wonderful energy.
We encourage wiggling, dancing, and joyful movement as a core part of learning.
It's a space where your child can be themselves and learn through active, creative play.
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Yes! We want you to be sure it's a great fit for your family.
We offer trial and drop-in options so you and your little one can experience the magic of a Little Folkies class firsthand before enrolling for the full season.
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While it feels like pure fun, your child is learning so much!
Beyond music fundamentals like rhythm and melody, our classes are designed to boost brain development, build social skills and confidence, and improve coordination.
They'll learn how to be part of a group, express themselves creatively, and develop a lifelong love for music.
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We do! You can bring Little Folkies to your child's birthday party, have us come to your child's preschool for a special music program or join a pop-up concert!
We also offer a comprehensive teacher training program for musicians who want to bring Little Folkies to their own community.