Little Folkies Award-winning music classes for kids

4-volume song collection out now on Smithsonian Folkways!

Little Folkies is a multi-award winning family folk music class for parents and kids ages 0-5. Little Folkies music classes are pure musical fun! The teachers play guitar and engage students with finger play, hand movement, singing, dancing, rhythmic play and instrument jamming. The classes boost creativity, help develop speech and language, fine and gross motor skills with simple lyrics and repetition. Enjoyable for both kids and parents,

featuring a 4-volume collection of songs now out on Smithsonian Folkways!

Join a class or sign up for the Little Folkies Online Teacher Training!

Let’s Build Confidence!

You want your kiddo to feel confident, imaginative, and comfortable in their own skin. At Little Folkies we role model a relaxed, pressure-free and attainable way of singing, and making music. Every child is musical, in fact we are all music at the core. Here at Little Folkies we encourage everyone to sing with voice they have. You do not need to be a trained musician to make good music.

hands-on learning

You want to give your child a break from the devices. Unplug, be present and connect with you child. Little Folkies offers an alternative to the all-too digital world we live in. The classes provides play, movement, and in-person interactions all while being exposed to live, acoustic music!

An Empowering Outlet

You want to provide your child with a constructive outlet for their endless energy, where they can simultaneously wiggle, dance, and learn. Our classes are engaging with finger play, hand movement and activities for every song and easy to sing lyrics. Your child will love listening to you singing the melodies, tapping the beat and doing the movements; and soon enough they’ll be singing and doing the movement themselves!

Little Folkies collection out now on Smithsonian Folkways!

We are so thrilled to announce that the full 4-volume collection is OUT NOW on Smithsonian Folkways! This is a 4-volume set that orbits around the earth’s seasons.

Songs for Fall embodies the season of transition and gathering with sweet, peaceful tunes about animals, the universe, and more.

Mastered by visionary traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo expert Dirk Powell (who also plays fiddle on “Rocketship”) and featuring musician, educator, and Little Folkies co-founder Irena Eide on vocals and guitar, Songs for Fall is a celebration of togetherness and sound.

Like each volume, Songs for Fall nurtures discovery and the innate love of music and play that the Little Folkies curriculum was built to uplift.  

Click here to read more!

We've Spent over 10 years Creating the Best Musical Start for Little Ones

As parents and educators, we get it.

These early years are fleeting and precious, and you want to fill them with the best experiences possible.

For over a decade, we've shared our award-winning, folk-based music curriculum (featured by Smithsonian Folkways!) with thousands of children.

Ready to join the fun?
Here’s how it works:

  1. Find Your Class: Take a peek at our schedule to find a class that fits your family's routine.

  2. Come Say Hello: Sign up for your first class.

  3. Watch Them Shine: Enroll for the season and watch your child's confidence and creativity grow week after week.

  • Little Folkies is the highlight of our week!

    “I'm not sure who's the bigger fan - my son or me. The quality of the music and the classroom experience is really outstanding. You can immediately sense the love and expertise that has gone into creating such a special music class for children. As my son loves to sing every morning, "Four, three, two, one... BLAST OFF!!"

    - Caroline K., Noe Valley Parent

  • We have LOVED little folkies with Laura

    “We have been going to Laura’s class since fall 2019. The songs that we have learned are both a fun and soothing part of our daily routine. Zoe lights up when she sees Laura on the computer each week and it has helped us keep a “constant” in Zoe’s routine in these strange times. Thank you Laura, Zoe will miss you!!”

    — M. Weikert

  • I may enjoy the class more than my baby does.

    “Irene is great. and it’s such a fun place for kiddos to learn, sing, and play. We’re signing up for Spring next!”

    — E. Kicko

Contact us

Contact us

Frequently asked questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 even sign up for private lessons.

    We also offer a comprehensive teacher training program for musicians who want to bring Little Folkies to their own community.