Programs & Activities for Kids
All events are free to attend.
Nutcracker at the Library
Ages 6-12
Saturday, December 13
1:00 PM
Registration begins Monday, November 10
Embark in a festive and creative holiday experience designed to bring the beloved story of The Nutcracker to life! Through Tchaikovsky’s music, storytelling, and hands-on activities, you will explore the enchanting world Clara and her brave Nutcracker Prince. During this event you will learn beginner ballet moves to create a special Nutcracker dance to perform at the end of the event for your family!
Registration is currently full. A waitlist is available here.
5th annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
All Ages
Registration begins October 1
Drop off ends December 4
Houses on Display December 6-31
It’s the 5th annual gingerbread house decorating contest! There is a category for everyone (adults, teens, kids, and family) so break out your baking and decorating skills. Registration and Rules & Guidelines will be available online on October 1. All gingerbread houses must be dropped off at the library by December 4. Visit the library from December 6-31 to view the gingerbread houses and vote for your favorites. New this year: a special Wisconsin-themed category! View the Rules & Guidelines for more information.
Open Lab- Holiday Ornaments
All Ages
Monday, December 22
4:00-6:00 PM
Drop in for this special holiday break open lab! All are welcome to come in and make paper ornaments in the KidsLab during this event.
Family Storytime
Ages 0-4
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
January 20 – April 9
10:00 AM
Traditional weekday storytime featuring stories, fingerplays, movement and more. The same storytime is repeated throughout the week, so choose your favorite day to attend.
No registration required; just drop in.
Toddler Time
Ages 0-4
Tuesdays
10:30-11:30 AM
Free play on Tuesdays made just for younger friends. This program runs every Tuesday, even when Storytime is on break, so stop in and play!
No registration; just drop in.
Baby Playtime
Ages 0-18 months + caregivers
Thursdays
December 4 – January 15
2:30 PM
Drop in for baby playtime on Thursdays during our storytime break! This is perfect to get some of those winter wiggles out with a variety of toys and other friends to play with.
No registration; just drop in.
Nightlight Storytime
Ages 0-4 
Select Mondays
January 5 | February 2 | March 2 | April 6 | May 4
6:00 PM
Our traditional storytime now presented in the evening. Enjoy stories, fingerplays, songs, and more with a mellower vibe made to help get little ones sleepy. While nightlight storytime is designed with ages 0-4 in mind, the whole family is welcome to attend.
No registration; just drop in.
Baby Storytime
0-18 months + caregivers
Thursdays
January 22 – April 9
2:30 PM
Join us Thursday afternoons for special storytimes designed just for little ones! This storytime is perfect for ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Storytime will features books, songs, and movement for littles learning about the world around them.
Storytimes will repeat throughout the sessions-but you are welcome to join if you have already heard one storytime as repeated activities are great for brain development!
No registration; just drop in.
LEGO Club
Ages 5 & up 
Select Wednesdays
December 10 | January 14 | February 11 | March 11 | April 8 | May 13
6:00 PM
Join other LEGO enthusiasts and build with the library LEGOS! Builds will be on display in the library after each LEGO club. Younger siblings are invited to play with LEGO DUPLOS during LEGO club.
No registration; just drop in.
Sew XO
Grades 3–12
Select Thursdays
4:30 PM
Registration begins January 5
Unleash your creativity with Sew XO! Sew XO is designed specifically for young beginners learning about the wonderful world of sewing. Learn sewing machine basics and how to make simple, beautiful items with it. All experience levels are welcome.
Upcoming projects this season:
Worry pets: a great project for beginners, but all are welcome
Drawstring bags: great for sewists who have attended Sew XO before. Basic knowledge of sewing is required.
Spring garland: a great project for beginners, but all are welcome
February 12: Worry pets (register here)
February 26: Worry pets (register here)
March 12: Drawstring bags (register here)
March 26: Drawstring bags (register here)
April 9: Spring garland (register here)
If your child has attended multiple Sew XO classes, please let others sign up for these classes as the space available is very limited and we often have a waitlist for each class. If we notice the same child in multiple classes we will contact you to make a spot for those on the waitlist who haven’t attended.
Advanced Adventurers
Grades 3 & up
Select Mondays
4:30-6:00 PM
Advanced Adventurers is prepared to have fun with an array of science-y and artsy activities. This hands-on experience blends creative arts and crafts with the fascinating principles of STEAM, sparking curiosity and creativity in every participant.
Upcoming projects this season:
January 12: Artic circle challenge
February 16: DIY bouncy ball
March 9: Playdough garden
April 13: Jelly bean STEM challenge
No registration; just drop in.
Early Explorers
Grades 1 & 2
Select Mondays
4:30-6:00 PM
Drop in and have fun with STEAM projects. These projects are planned with younger creators in mind and are the perfect level for those in 1st and 2nd grades.
Upcoming projects this season:
January 26: Gingerbread boat challenge
February 23: Cornstarch bubble dough
March 23: Garden rocks
April 27: Worry stones
No registration; just drop in.
IditaRead + IditaRead Puppies
January 2 – February 20
Register on Beanstack 
Mush! Race across Alaska in our winter reading challenge. This program is inspired by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race where mushers, racing their team of dogs, have to reach 26 checkpoints and race across the finish line in order complete the race. Track your reading on the Beanstack or stop by the appropriate reference desk for a paper log. Make sure to stop by the children’s desk to decorate your sled dog to race on the giant library map!
IditaRead (kids in grades 1-6)
Read 27 hours between January 2-February 20 to finish the challenge and enter to win fun prizes!
Think you have what it takes to be the biggest reader of the event? Continue logging your reading after the 27 hours to see if you can read more than anyone else. Winner gets a special prize!
IditaRead Puppies (Kids ages birth-5K)
Read 13 hours between January 2-February 20 to finish the challenge and enter to win a prize!
Please note: Friday, February 20 is the last day to log reading for all challenges. Sunday, February 22 is the last day to enter for IditaRead grand prizes. You must visit the library to enter. All finisher prizes must be claimed by March 2.
Kid Librarian
Grades 1-6
Do you have dreams of becoming a librarian? Want to assist in storytime, make a book display or help check in books? If so, you could be our Kid Librarian! Finishers of the IditaRead (see above for information) will be able to enter for the chance to become our Kid Librarian.
Kid Librarian session will be held during the week of Hamilton School District’s spring break (March 30-April 3). The library will work with Kid Librarian’s family to choose between select times for the session.
Harry Potter Book Night
All ages
Friday, February 6
6:00-8:00 PM
Harry Potter Book Night is back and bigger than ever! Join witches and wizard of all ages to celebrate the magic of Harry Potter. Create your own wand, attend potions class, complete the Sorcerer’s Stone Maze and SO MUCH MORE!
No registration; just drop in.
Youth Art Month
March 1 – 31
March is youth art month! Art will be on display from students in the Hamilton school district during the month of March throughout the library.
Youth art reception: Tuesday, March 3 4-6 PM
Stop in during art reception to meet teachers, artists and other art admirers!
No registration, just drop in
Make It! Junior
Ages 5 & up
Get crafty with our popular grab & go craft kits for school-age kids. A new project is introduced at the beginning of select months.
March 2: Yarn birdies
April 6: Butterfly cones
May 4: Bendy straw umbrellas
Kits are available while supplies last. No registration required; just pick up.
Tiny Art Show
All Ages
Registration opens March 9
Public Display: April 13-May 15
The fourth annual Tiny Art Show is a month-long community art project. The twist? All art must be tiny! Canvases will be available while supplies last or provide your own. Rules and guidelines will be posted on our website March 9.
Bunny Scavenger Hunt
All ages
April 10-19
Bunnies are loose in the library! Follow clues to find their hiding spots. All bunnies will either be inside of the library, or outside, close to the library. Each person who finishes the bunny scavenger hunt may enter their name to win a grand prize.
Clues and answer forms will be available starting April 10 at the youth reference desk.
No registration; just drop in.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
All ages
Drop off: Thursday, April 23 4:00-6:00 pm
Pick Up: Friday, April 24, 12:00-5:00 PM
Registration begins March 30
Ever wonder what mischief a group of stuffed animals can get up to in the library? Sign your stuffed animal up for the library sleepover and find out! Bring your animal to the library any time during drop off time and complete a fun craft together, then read a book and tuck them in. Starting at 6:00 pm watch the library Facebook page for updates on the animals’ antics. Pick up your stuffie the next day and hear all about their fun night.
Registration required and available here on our event calendar starting March 30.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Ages 0-Kindergarten
Self-paced
Ongoing
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a reading incentive program for the youngest readers/listeners, beginning at birth. The tracking program Beanstack, available both on your computer or as an app, offers an online framework that allows books to be counted and milestones to be marked with digital badges as well as stickers and other tokens picked up at the library.
Registration for this program is available on Beanstack! Sign up whenever you are ready to begin.
Please note: For the protection of children using the library, the Pauline Haass Public Library Child Safety Policy states:
Pauline Haass Public Library is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for children and families. Library staff have many duties to perform in order to serve the public. For this reason, the staff cannot monitor the behavior or whereabouts of each patron, including children, or take over parental responsibilities.
Children age five and under must be accompanied by, and within view of, an adult or caregiver at all times and in all areas of the building including the Children’s Area and the restrooms.
Please feel free to refer to our complete Child Safety Policy.