10 Creative Ways to Have Learning Fun with Shakespeare

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Enjoy Shakespeare fun with your kids using these 10 creative ideas and resources.

You can teach your kids about Shakespeare, even if you haven't studied his works yourself!

Have you introduced your kids to the wonderful world of William Shakespeare?

If not, what are you waiting for? The Bard and his works are treasures that influence a lifelong love of learning.

Our homeschool has been studying the life and works of Shakespeare this year.

Using a variety of resources, my boys and I have gotten a closer look at Shakespeare’s time and how it impacted his writing. Also, we've discovered Shakespeare’s lasting impression on our modern world.

Why We Added Learning Fun with Shakespeare to Our Homeschool

At first, I was a bit hesitant to introduce my boys to Shakespeare. I didn’t learn much about him until high school. Fortunately, I had amazing teachers for honors English who took the time to delve into Shakespeare’s plays and other works with my classes.

I remember how fascinated I was with the life of Shakespeare, especially the language of the time. I also remember how hard it was for me to translate his words and grasp his messages.  How could I help my boys appreciate and understand Shakespeare?

Recommended in Brave Writer’s Jot It Down, Shakespeare was highlighted for use with kids as young as four. And that recommendation got me thinking...

Perhaps introducing kids to such works at an early age would actually help them better understand?  Kids are like sponges. Would early exposure to the works of Shakespeare allow for better comprehension and appreciation?

And with all of those benefits, a better chance at enjoying learning fun with Shakespeare?

I'm happy to report that my boys thoroughly enjoy our learning fun with Shakespeare. At times, they even ascertain the meaning before I do!

The only complaint I have received thus far has been from Smiley (9), “Shakespeare is totally cool but why does there have to be so much lovey-dovey, star-crossed lover stuff?”

I smile and tell him that he'll understand soon enough 😉

To help you have learning fun with Shakespeare, check out these 10 creative resources and ways to enjoy the Bard with your kids.

10 Creative Ways to Have Learning Fun with Shakespeare

1. How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare

This book by Ken Ludwig is a fantastic resource. Ludwig explains his method for teaching Shakespeare and how you can use to help your kids memorize lines plus learn how to study his works. This resource is a must-have for parents who want to encourage their kids to have learning fun with Shakespeare.

2. Printable Finger Puppets for Twelfth Night

Look We’re Learning shares some awesome ways to make learning Shakespeare fun! In addition to mentioning one of our favorite resources, Selena has these free printable finger puppets for hands-on learning fun.

3. Shakespeare For Kids: His Life and Time, 21 Activities

A recent addition to our homeschool, this resource has hands-on activities to excite and engage your kids. Lots of wonderful about Shakespeare's life, too!

4. Learning Fun with Shakespeare Games

Simply Fun has Do You Know Shakespeare?, a wonderful game for ages 12 and up. My older boys and I love to play this trivia game!

5. Playing With Plays

We have Playing with Plays Shakespeare’s: Hamlet for Kids. This fun resource contains three short melodramatic plays for three group sizes. Great resource for helping your kids get involved with easy to read and understand lines for plays that only take about ten minutes!

Shakespeare's Hamlet for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 5)Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 7)Shakespeare's Julius Caesar for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 4)Shakespeare's Macbeth for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 3)Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 6)Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays)Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays)Shakespeare's The Tempest for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays) (Volume 8)Shakespeare's Richard III for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays) (Volume 16)Shakespeare's Twelfth Night for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing with Plays) (Volume 11)Shakespeare's Henry V for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays) (Volume 18)Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays) (Volume 14)Shakespeare's King Lear for Kids: 3 Short Melodramatic Plays for 3 Group Sizes (Playing With Plays) (Volume 19)

6. Shakespeare’s Tomb

With your Amazon Prime membership, you can watch this educational video for free! Fascinating look at Shakespeare’s life and the mystery surrounding his final resting place.

7. Shakespeare Lego Fun

Do you have Lego lovers in your family? This William Shakespeare Lego figurine (with cute quote) would be a great addition to Lego play. Brick Shakespeare: Four Tragedies & Four Comedies has been added to our wishlist for learning fun with Shakespeare.

Brick Shakespeare: Four Tragedies & Four ComediesBrick Shakespeare: The Tragedies-Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Julius CaesarBrick Shakespeare: The Comedies?A Midsummer Night?s Dream, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Taming of the Shrew

8.  Usborne Books

We love the Shakespeare resources from Usborne! Illustrated Stories from Shakespeare has been a fantastic way to introduce all of my boys to characters and stories. World of Shakespeare Reference Book provides facts about his life and times. Sticker Dressing Shakespeare is a hands-on way to get even your younger learners to participate in learning fun with Shakespeare.

9. Coloring Pages

Crayola has this free printable coloring page with informative facts about Shakespeare.

And here are free printable puppets and coloring pages for A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

A Shakespeare Coloring Book would be great for your middle school and up kids (more mature quotes).

William Shakespeare: An Adult Coloring BookEscape to Shakespeare's World: A Colouring Book AdventureColoring Shakespeare: Over 30 Stunning Illustrations from Shakespeare's Most Famous Sonnets and SpeechesRomeo and Juliet: A Coloring ClassicYe Old Shakespeare Coloring Book: Make learning fun!Wise Words from SHAKESPEARE: A Coloring Book for AdultsColor Me Shakespeare: Coloring book for all ages featuring the plays of William ShakespeareA Midsummer Night's Dream: Coloring Novel Edition (Coloring Novels TM Edition)

10. Listen to Shakespeare

My boys and I love Jim Weiss’ audio CDs! His retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Taming of the Shrew and Julius Caeser and the Story of Rome are family favorites. Great for car trips and for giving my voice a break from read-alouds!

Shakespeare for Children by Weiss, Jim [2000]Greathall Productions Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare as told by Jim Weiss

I hope that these 10 Creative Ways to have learning fun with Shakespeare help you add sparkle to your homeschool and family.

 Which resources will you be adding to your learning fun with Shakespeare adventures?

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