Programs & Activities for Kids
All events are free to attend.
Family Storytime
Ages 0-4
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
September 9 – November 26
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!
When the weather is nice, Toddler Time will be held on the Library front lawn!
No registration; just drop in.
Baby Storytime
0-18 months + caregivers
Thursdays
September 11 – November 20
2:30 PM
Join us Thursday afternoons this fall 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!
Registration is no longer required for Baby Storytime so just drop on in for fun!
Nightlight Storytime
Ages 0-4 
Select Mondays
September 8 | October 6 | November 3 | December 1
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.
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.
September 8: Paper Plate Dragons
October 6: Halloween Wreaths
November 3: TBA
Kits are available while supplies last. No registration required; just pick up.
LEGO Club
Ages 5 & up 
Select Wednesdays
September 10 | October 8 | November 12 | December 10
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 August 11
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.
Projects this fall:
September 4: Scrappy Bookmarks (register here)
September 25: Sew With Me Scrappy Bookmarks (register here)
October 16: Sew With Me Kitchen Towel Apron (register here)
October 30: Holiday Garland (register here)
November 13: Holiday Garland (register here)
If your child has attended multiple Sew XO classes or you and your child have already done Sew XO Sew With Me, 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 have you choose one class to attend to make a spot for those on the waitlist who haven’t attended.
Advanced Adventurers
Grades 3 & up
Select Mondays
September 15 | October 13 | November 10
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.
Projects this Fall:
September 15: Ceramic tile coasters
October 13: Glow in the dark ghosts
November 10: Design a maze
No registration; just drop in.
Early Explorers
Grades 1 & 2
Select Mondays
September 29 | October 27 | November 24
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.
Projects this Fall:
September 29: Swirly twirly coasters
October 27: Crocodile critters
November 24: Wind racers
No registration; just drop in.
Wisconsin Science Festival
Grades 1-6
Monday, October 20
4:30-6:00 PM
Open Lab Display October 21-26
Who said the library has to be quiet?! Join us for Wisconsin Science Festival 2025 where we will be “Rockin’ in the Library”. Kidslab will be rocking and rolling on Monday Oct.20th with different “rock” stations from building your own instruments, sound wave experiments, rock painting, and a take home rock collection.
Drop in the rest of the week (October 21-26) for a fun display in KidsLab about how you can rock! Please note, the display will be unavailable during select times for library programs.
No registration, just drop in.
Halloween Costume Swap
Costume Drop Off: September 26 – October 3
Costume Swap: October 10-12
Do you have Halloween costumes that you no longer want at home? Wish you could swap too small costumes with others for larger costumes? Join us for a Halloween costume swap!
Clean, gently used costumes and accessories can be donated to the Youth Services Reference desk during the costume drop off window. Anyone who donates during this time will get a voucher for our early access day on Thursday, October 9 from 4-7 PM.
Everyone is welcome to the swap October 10-12, during library open hours. You do not need to donate a costume to participate in the swap! The swap will run for as long as supplies last. Any leftover supplies will be donated to Sussex Outreach Services.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
All Ages
October 24-31
Monsters are loose in the library! Follow the spooky clues to find their hiding spots. All monsters will either be inside of the library, or outside, close to the library.
Clues and answer forms will be available starting October 24 at the youth services reference desk.
No registration; just drop in.
Forts and Flashlights
All Ages
Friday, November 14
6:00-8:00 PM
Come to the library after hours when the lights are turned down low for a fun filled evening. Bring your blankets, pillows and stuffies and more to build a reading fort in the library!
Join us from 6:15-7:00 for a delicious S’mores ice cream bar at the beginning of the evening (while supplies last).
Children must be accompanied by a grown-up throughout the event.
No registration; just drop in.
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 required and available here on our library calendar beginning Monday, November 10.
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.
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.