Programs & Activities for Kids
All library events will be held in person or as a grab-and-go kit. Please read program descriptions for special locations, registration requirements, and more. All library programs are free.
Family Storytime
Ages 0-4
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
September 5-November 22
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.
Make It! Junior
Grades 5K-6 
October 23-December 22
Get crafty with our grab and go craft kits designed to educate and delight. A new project is introduced every three weeks.
October 23: Owl Ornaments
November 13: Button Bouquets
December 4: Snowman Shooters
Kits are available while supplies last. No registration required; just pick up.
LabCrafts
Grades 3 and up
Select Mondays
4:00-7:00 pm
Drop in and have fun with STEAM projects this fall! LabCrafts is prepared to have fun with an exciting array of science-y and artsy activities made for kids in 3rd grade or older.
September 11: Glitter Cards
October 16: Wisconsin Science Festival “When the Stars Come Out” Special
November 13: Textured Art
December 11: Grinch Hearts
No registration required, just drop in.
Early Explorer LabCrafts
Grades 1 & 2
Select Mondays
4:00-7:00 pm
Can’t wait to get into KidsLab but you are not in 3rd grade yet? Join us for Early Explorer LabCrafts! This special program will take place in KidsLab, but is for kids in 1st and 2nd grades. Come explore KidsLab and make a fun, age appropriate craft.
September 25: Highlighter Coloring
October 30: Creeping Spiders
November 27: Little Yarn Apples
December 18: Pinecone Holiday Trees
No registration required; just drop in. This program will be the only time KidsLab will be available for children 2nd grade and younger.
Sew XO
Grades 3-12
Select Wednesdays
4:15 pm
Registration for Fall dates begins September 5
Do you love sewing? Join our small-group classes for tweens and teens to learn sewing machine basics and how to make simple, beautiful items with it. The class will be using Viking sewing machines, purchased with grant money from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Wednesdays, September 20 & October 4: Meet the Sewing Machine
Wednesdays, October 18 & November 1: Meet the Sewing Machine, Part 2
Prerequisite: Meet the Sewing Machine, Part 1
Wednesdays, November 15 & 29: Holiday Felt Garland
Registration required and begins September 5; visit or call the children’s desk. Space is limited.
Kids who have completed Meet the Sewing Machine parts 1 and 2 and have earned their Sewist certificate are welcome to Open Sew on the following Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15pm:
September 27
October 11
October 25
November 8
November 22 (4:00-5:00 day before holiday, library closes at 5:00pm)
December 6
December 13
December 20
Wisconsin Science Festival
Grades 3 and up
Monday, October 16
4:00-7:00 pm
TIME: When the Stars Come Out
Drop into KidsLab for this special session for the Wisconsin Science Festival. Come and celebrate the 2023 theme of TIME and complete a special LabCraft based on the autumn night sky.
No registration required; just drop in.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
All Ages
October 23-31
Join us for a spooktacular scavenger hunt! Visit the library during open hours to hunt down monsters hiding in the library. Find 6 of the 8 hidden creatures and enter to win a fun, spooky prize. Clues and answer sheets will be available at the children’s reference desk starting October 23. Costumes are welcome!
No registration required; just drop in.
Trick or Treat at the Library
All Ages
Tuesday, October 31
5:30-7:00 pm
Stop by the library on Halloween night and pick up a spooky take-home craft. Costumes are welcome!
No registration required; just drop in.
Forts and Flashlights
All Ages
Friday, November 10
6:00-8:00 pm
What could be more fun than being in the library after hours with the lights turned low? Building a fort in the library during that time! Bring your blankets, stuffed animals and flashlights and build a fun fort in the library to read in. An adult must attend and accompany children during the event.
Join us from 6:00-6:30 for a S’mores Ice Cream Bar (while supplies last).
No registration required; just drop in.
3rd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
All Ages
Submission Deadline: November 30
Public Display: December 1-30
Join our third annual all-ages Gingerbread House Decorating Contest! You can enter as a team or an individual. Categories include: adult, teen, children, and family. Rules and guidelines will be available on October 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.
Read more about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Early Literacy.
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.