Programs & Activities for Kids
All events are free to attend.
Unearth a Story! Summer Reading Program
June 1–August 29 
All Ages
Get ready for a dino-mite Summer Reading Adventures! Starting June 1, register on Beanstack for a summer of reading and activities. Receive fun prizes as well as coupons from local businesses for each of the six adventure completed.
Search the app store on your device to download the Beanstack app!
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.
Summer Performers
Ages 5-12
Select Mondays
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
June 15– Mark Yo-Yo
LOCATION: Civic Center Board Room (2nd floor).
- Free tickets can be picked up at the Youth Services desk starting at 10:30 AM on June 15.No adults or children under 5 will be able to attend Mark Yo-Yo due to room capacity.
July 20– Bollywood
LOCATION: The Ridge at Village Park. No tickets, age or capacity limits for performers at The Ridge.
August 3 – Wildlife in Need Center
LOCATION: The Ridge at Village Park. No tickets, age or capacity limits for performers at The Ridge.
LEGO Club
Ages 5 & up 
Select Wednesdays
August 12 | September 9 | October 14 | November 11 | December 9
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.
Make It! Junior
Ages 5 & up
Get crafty with our popular grab & go craft kits for school-age kids. Craft launch on select Mondays
June 15: Beaded Lizards
July 6: Dinosaur Puppets
July 20: Beaded Bubble Wands
August 3: Crazy Kitties
August 17: Clothes Pin Flyers
Kits are available while supplies last. No registration required; just pick up.
Reading on the Roof
Ages 6–10 
Select Mondays
3:00 PM
Hear the first few chapters of an unforgettable book then take home your own copy of the book to keep. This program will be held on the Civic Center patio roof, accessible from the second floor. During inclement weather it will be held in the Civic Center board room also on the second floor.
June 15 – Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
July 13 – When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
August 10 – Growing Home by Beth Ferry
No registration required.
Books will be limited to one book per family and handed out on a first come, first served basis until gone.
Tie Dye Party
All Ages
Rescheduled for Saturday, August 22
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
All are welcome at the annual tie dye party on the library front lawn. Bring your own items to dye, and we’ll provide the rest of the supplies!
Kids ages 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration required.
Book Cook
Grades 1 & up
Mondays, August 10 & 24
5:00–6:30 PM
What is better than a good book? Eating a book snack! Expand your imagination and art skills and create one-of-a-kind book snacks based on a fun theme or amazing book.
Registration is required and will begin July 6. Please only register for one date.
Spirit Camp
Ages 7–12
Friday, August 14
5:00–6:30 PM
We have spirit, yes we do! Learn fun poms dance choreography and cheer for the USA with Sussex Dance in this exciting collaboration with Sussex Parks and Recreation.
Registration is required and will be available here beginning on July 13.
Dance Party! Taylor’s Version
Grades 3–12 
Friday, August 21
2:00 PM
Bring your friends and come hang out at the library to enjoy snacks, crafts and more inspired by Taylor and her music!
No registration required.
Family Storytime
Ages 0–4
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
September 8–November 25
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.
Baby Storytime
Ages 0–18months + caregivers
Thursdays
September 10–November 19
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.
Nightlight Storytime
Ages 0–4
Select Mondays
September 14, October 5, November 2, December 7
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.
Fire Truck Storytime
Ages 0–4
Friday, September 18
10:00 AM
Meet a firefighter, see a fire truck up close, and more at Fire Truck Storytime featuring the Sussex Fire Department!
Please note if the fire department gets a call they may not be able to join storytime. Storytime will still be held in this event.
No registration required
Holiday Storytime
Ages 0–4
Friday, December 18
10:00 AM
Join us for a special storytime featuring stories and songs from across seasonal traditions and holidays.
No registration required
Advanced Adventurers
Grades 3 & up 
Mondays, September 28, October 26, November 23
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 season:
September 28: Fall Fairies
October 26: Spooky Stress Balls
November 23: Galaxy Jars
No registration; just drop in.
Early Explorers
Grades 1 & 2 
Mondays, September 21, October 12, November 9
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 season:
September 21: Foil Disco Balls
October 12: Leaf Bookmarks
November 9: Fizzy Crystal Trees
No registration; just drop in.
Fiber Arts Lab
Grades 3 & up
Select Thursdays
4:30–5:45 PM
Registration opens August 17
Get crafty with our new Fiber Arts Lab! Sign up and join to learn the basics of machine sewing, crocheting, and more. Each session is a different project with a variety of mediums covered throughout the season.
September 17: Sew! Scrappy Bookmarks (register here)
October 1: Stitch! Apple Cross-Stitch (register here)
October 15: Sew! Pumpkin Garland (register here)
November 5: Crochet! Winter Wreath (register here)
November 19: Sew! Penguin Hand Warmer (register here)
Wisconsin Science Festival
Grades 1 & up 
Monday, October 19
4:30–6:00 PM
Its time for the annual Wisconsin Science Festival! Join us to discover the science hidden in everyday life and learn how the community helpers use science to get their job done!
No registration; just drop in.
Make It! Junior
Ages 5 & up
Get crafty with our popular grab & go craft kits for school-age kids. Craft launch on select Mondays
September 8: Owl Ornaments
October 5: Yarn Ghosties
November 2: Octopus Pals
Kits are available while supplies last. No registration required; just pick up.
Halloween Costume Swap
All Ages
Costume Drop Off: September 25- October 4
Costume Swap: October 9-11
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 8 from 4-7 PM.
Everyone is welcome to the swap October 9-11, 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 23-31
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 23 at the youth services reference desk.
No registration; just drop in.
Trick or Treat at the Library
All Ages
Saturday, October 31
12:00-4:00 PM
Its Halloween and the library is ready with candy! Trick or Treat at the service desks, pick up a take home craft and have fun! Candy and activities will be available while supplies last. Costumes are welcome!
No registration; just drop in.
Forts and Flashlights
All Ages
Friday, November 13
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 5
1:00 PM
Registration begins November 2
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 will be available here starting November 2.
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.