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
January 24-April 13
10:00 a.m.
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.
Sew XO
Grades 3-12
Select Mondays
4:00-5:15 pm
Registration for spring dates begins January 3
Do you love sewing? Are you interested in learning to sew on a machine? Join our small group classes for tweens and teens, held in the KidsLab.
January 23, February 13, & March 13: Meet the Sewing Machine
February 27 & March 27: Garland Making
April 10 & 24: Mini Drawstring Bags
(Must have attended a Meet the Sewing Machine class in the past to register for Mini Drawstring Bags)
Registration required. Visit or call the children’s reference desk to reserve your spot.
LabCrafts
Grades 3 and up
Select Wednesdays
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Drop in and have fun with STEAM projects this fall! From messy to crafty these projects are sure to delight, entertain, and engage young creators! Check back for more information about special projects and special times or locations for experiments.
LabCraft projects this spring:
February 1: Mythical creature eggs
March 1: Wall hanging decor (simple macramé)
April 5: Black light galaxy
May 3: Monster pots + plant craft
No registration required; just drop in.
Early Explorers LabCrafts
Grades 1-2
Select Thursdays
4:00-6:00 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 1st and 2nd graders. Come explore KidsLab, make a craft, and check out books perfect for your reading level.
RESCHEDULED February 23: Spinning Toys
March 16: Moving Fishies
April 13: Slime Station
No registration required; just drop in. This program will be the only time KidsLab will be available for children 2nd grade and younger.
Make It! Junior
Grades 5K-6
March 6-May 7
Get crafty with our grab-and-go kits designed to educate and delight. A new project is introduced every three weeks.
March 6-26: Origami Flowers
March 27-April 16: Mini Rag Wreaths
April 17-May 7: Hopping Froggies
No registration required; kits available while supplies last.
Tiny Art Show
All Ages
Register starting March 1
Public Display: April 1-30
Tiny art, tiny easels, big talent!
Bring in your tiny work of art and register by March 31 to have it on public display at the library.
To learn more, visit the Tiny Art Show webpage.
Youth Art Month
March 1-31
Art Reception: Tuesday, March 7 4:00-6:00 pm
March is youth art month! Stop in the library anytime during the month of March to view art created by the students in Hamilton school district. Join us on Tuesday, March 7 from 4:00-6:00 pm for our annual Art Reception. Meet some of the artists and teachers during this time and enjoy cookies and punch as well.
No registration required for the art reception, just drop in.
Bunny Scavenger Hunt
All Ages
Friday, March 24-Monday, April 3
Bunnies have escaped in the library! Stop by the library at your convenience and use clues to find hidden paper bunnies in and around the library. All bunnies will be within walking distance of the library. Each person who finishes the bunny scavenger hunt may enter their name to win a grand prize. Clues will be available online here as well as paper versions at the children’s desk starting Friday, March 24.
No registration required; just drop in.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
All Ages
Drop Off: Thursday, March 30 4:00-6:00 pm
Pick up: Friday, March 31 12:00-5:00
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 is full.
Spring Storywalk®
All Ages
May 15-June 18
A StoryWalk® takes a children’s book and spreads its pages across a nature trail to allow families to experience a story and the outdoors together. This Storywalk®, presented in partnership with the Recreation Department, features the book The Hike by Alison Farrell. The StoryWalk® takes place at Sussex Village Park and begins at the road south of the splash pad.
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.