Marathon County Public Library

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Holiday hours: All MCPL locations will be closed Tue., 7/4.

Kids' Corner

Build a Better World! logo

Children's Summer Program

Help us "Build a Better World"! We've planned a variety of summer activities for kids this summer, including arts & crafts, musical performances, science explorations and more! (See below.)

Join our Summer Reading Club! Starting 5/30, parents may register their children at any MCPL location or online to receive a log to track their child's reading and acts of kindness over the summer. Children can show their progress to library staff at intervals throughout the summer and return their logs to the library by 8/12 to receive rewards!

Need some reading ideas for your child this summer? Check out our Staff Reviews for Children or browse our listing of New Children's Books recently added to the collection!

Featured Events

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Thu., 6/1/17 - Fri., 6/30/17 @ MCPL Mosinee
Throughout the month of June, kids can build with clothespins, craft sticks, paper cups and other household objects at our Mosinee Branch!
Slp Activities Crafts Hands-on Learning Hands-on Activities Mosinee Children Preschool Grades K 5

Mon., 6/12/17 - Sat., 8/19/17 @ MCPL Wausau
Children can help better their community all summer long by donating a penny or more and voting for which organization they want to receive the money!
Charity Community Slp Wausau Children Tweens

Tweens and teens in grades 4-12 can learn how to use Scratch computer programming to make a variety of games, stories and animations at our Wausau Headquarters!
More events in this series (3). » Hands-on Learning Slp Technology Wausau Children Teens Tweens

Children of all ages and their families are invited to build creative projects using LEGO blocks! All blocks will be provided. Free and no registration required.
More events in this series (22). » Activities Hands-on Learning Slp Hatley Children Preschool Early Elementary

Children can practice and improve their literacy skills by reading to friendly, well-behaved therapy dogs!
More events in this series (12). » Slp Activities Animals Mosinee Children Early Elementary K 5

Tue., 6/27/17, 10am - 11am @ MCPL Spencer
The newly-crowned Alice in Dairyland will visit our Spencer Branch with interactive activities to get folks excited about agriculture in Wisconsin!
Farming Activities Community Slp Spencer Children Teens Adults

Join the Zany Inventor for a glimpse of his crazy, magical world of science and invention with plenty of audience participation! Free and open to the public.
Science Hands-on Learning Activities Wausau Children

Celebrate the 4th of July with this patriotic story time and craft event happening this summer at two of our branches!
Art Crafts Holiday Story Time Slp Hatley Children Preschool

Wed., 6/28/17, 1pm - 3pm @ MCPL Wausau
Tweens must use their logic and puzzle-solving skills to escape MCPL's recreation of Mr. Lemoncello's library!
Slp Activities Games Trivia Wausau Children Tweens

Kids and families are encouraged to visit the library to complete a host of summer-themed craft projects! Free, with all supplies provided.
More events in this series (4). » Activities Art Crafts Hands-on Learning Slp Rothschild Children Grades K 5 Preschool Tweens

Girls in grades 4-12 are invited to learn Scratch computer programming during this six-week workshop!
More events in this series (3). » Hands-on Learning Slp Technology Wausau Children Teens Tweens

Sat., 7/1/17 - Mon., 7/31/17 @ MCPL Mosinee
Throughout the month of July, kids can build their own pixelated, Minecraft-themed creations at our Mosinee Branch!
Slp Activities Crafts Hands-on Activities Mosinee Children Preschool Grades K 5

Bring the whole family to work on coloring projects for both children and adults!
More events in this series (1). » Activities Art Slp Hatley Children Grades K 5

Mon., 7/3/17 - Fri., 7/28/17 @ MCPL Spencer
Visit our Spencer Branch to make a different craft each week throughout the month of July! Free, with all supplies provided.
Crafts Hands-on Activities Slp Spencer Children

Sat., 7/8/17, 10:30am - 12pm @ MCPL Wausau
Kids can get ready for Wausau Events' Balloon Rally and Chalkfest with a morning of stories, hot air balloon science activities and chalk art at our Wausau Headquarters!
Art Hands-on Learning Story Time Slp Science Community Wausau Children Preschool

See National Yo-Yo Master Dazzling Dave as he astounds audiences with this show that blends yo-yo tricks and life lessons! Free and open to the public.
Slp Athens Children

Tue., 7/11/17, 10:30am - 11:30am @ MCPL Rothschild
Kids and their families can learn how to save the earth through stories, songs and more at this environmentally-themed Family Story Time!
Crafts Nature Story Time Activities Slp Rothschild Children Grades K 5 Preschool

Bring your family and friends, or come in by yourself and meet some new people, and try out some of the games the library has to offer.
More events in this series (3). » Games Wausau Adults Children Teens Tweens

Wed., 7/12/17, 1pm - 3pm @ MCPL Wausau
Build your own model robots using plastic and cardboard recycled materials at this fun and earth-friendly event!
Activities Hands-on Learning Slp Wausau Children Grades K 5

Wed., 7/12/17, 1pm - 3pm @ MCPL Spencer
Kids can get creative and stretch their imagination to the limit by building with rocks and Play-Doh® at our Spencer Branch!
Activities Hands-on Activities Hands-on Learning Slp Spencer Children

Environmental educator and humorist David Stokes will visit MCPL along with live insects, snakes, turtles and more! Free and open to the public.
Animals Hands-on Learning Slp Marathon Elementary Children

Join us for a performance by children's musician, storyteller and humorist Tom Pease! Free and open to the public.
Music Slp Rothschild Children Grades K 5 Preschool

Geared mainly toward children ages 3-6 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, this story time will feature stories as well as soothing interactive activities.
More events in this series (5). » Story Time Wausau Children Preschool

Visit the Monk Botanical Gardens to read eight different children's books posted along the gardens' scenic trails! Kids and families can also participate in fun hands-on activities and crafts at ... (read more)
More events in this series (1). » Activities Animals Art Farming Food Gardening Slp Hands-on Learning Nature Off-site Outdoor Recreation Monk Botanical Gardens Children Preschool

Bring your family to the library for a fun day of gaming! Board and card games for all ages will be available.
More events in this series (1). » Games Slp Rothschild Adults Children Tweens Teens Grades K 5

Hobby and craft enthusiasts are welcome to join us every month for a night of creating and socializing!
More events in this series (2). » Activities Community Crafts Slp Hatley Adults Children Tweens

Tweens and teens can make their own bracelet using wooden and plastic beads, yarn, hemp cord and more! Free, with all supplies provided.
Slp Activities Hands-on Activities Marathon City Children Teens Tweens

Wed., 7/19/17, 2pm - 4pm @ MCPL Mosinee
Spend an afternoon bonding as a family as you work on jigsaw puzzles of varying difficulty at our Mosinee Branch! Free and open to the public.
Slp Activities Hands-on Activities Mosinee Children

Wed., 7/19/17, 2pm - 3pm @ MCPL Stratford
Kids and families can participate in some fun-filled crafts and activities related to the popular "Magic Tree House" book series! Free, with all supplies provided.
Activities Hands-on Learning History Science Slp Stratford Children Early Elementary

Professor Marvel will engage kids with magic, story-telling and puppetry. Free and no registration required.
Activities Hands-on Learning Rothschild Children

Kids can learn how buildings withstand the elements and create their own building using marshmallows and spaghetti noodles!
Crafts Hands-on Learning Science Slp Hatley Children Grades K 5

Thu., 7/20/17, 6pm - 7:30pm @ MCPL Spencer
Kids are challenged to create their own building or sculpture using nothing but toothpicks and jelly beans! All supplies provided.
Activities Hands-on Activities Slp Spencer Children

Special story time and meet-and-greet with Katelyn Schmoll, the 2017 Fairest of the Fair for the Wisconsin Valley Fair. No registration required.
Story Time Wausau Children Preschool

Award-winning children's musician Leonardo will perform songs, lead letter and word-building exercises and entertain audiences of all ages! Free and open to the public.
Music Slp Wausau Children

Tue., 7/25/17, 1:30pm - 3pm @ MCPL Wausau
Escape the summer heat and compete in a series of crazy games and challenges - each with a 60-second time limit!
Games Activities Slp Wausau Children Tweens

Wed., 7/26/17 - Tue., 8/22/17 @ MCPL Edgar
Learn about different ways you can give back to the community in Edgar and beyond! Free and open to the public.
Community Slp Charity Edgar Adults Children Preschool

Wed., 7/26/17, 10am - 10:30am @ MCPL Mosinee
Katelyn Schmoll, this year's Wisconsin Valley Fairest of the Fair, will join us for a special session of our weekly Play and Learn program! Free and no registration is required. Call 715-693-2144 for more information.
Story Time Activities Mosinee Children

Wed., 7/26/17, 11am - 2pm @ MCPL Spencer
Kids can use duct tape and other supplies to turn recycled materials like soda bottles and milk cartons into something entirely new!
Activities Hands-on Activities Slp Spencer Children

Wed., 7/26/17, 1pm - 3pm @ MCPL Wausau
Children in grades K-5 can use a variety of techniques to create their own 3-D sculptures out of paper. Free, with all supplies provided.
Activities Hands-on Activities Slp Wausau Children Grades K 5

Wed., 7/26/17, 2pm - 3pm @ MCPL Edgar
Meet a Marathon County Sheriff's Department Deputy and his K9 partner at our Edgar Branch!
Animals Community Slp Edgar Adults Children Preschool

Mon., 7/31/17, 6pm - 7pm @ MCPL Rothschild
Tweens and Teens can learn how to make a small yarn basket using the ancient art of yarn coiling! Free, with all supplies provided.
Art Crafts Hands-on Learning Slp Rothschild Children Teens Tweens

Tue., 8/1/17 - Thu., 8/31/17 @ MCPL Mosinee
Throughout the month of August, kids can build their own model robots using recycled materials and craft supplies at our Mosinee Branch!
Activities Hands-on Learning Slp Mosinee Children Preschool Grades K 5

Tue., 8/8/17, 1pm - 7:50pm @ Wausau Outdoor Pools
Children and their families can enjoy a FREE day at Wausau's outdoor pools just by showing their library card! One card per family.
Off-site Slp Community Wausau Outdoor Pools Children

Wed., 8/9/17, 1pm - 3pm @ MCPL Wausau
If you can dream it, you should try to build it! Stop by MCPL Wausau and get creative with various types of building materials.
Activities Hands-on Learning Slp Wausau Children Grades K 5

Sat., 8/12/17, 6:35pm - 8:30pm @ Athletic Park
Kids who complete their summer reading program goals will receive a voucher to attend a Wisconsin Woodchucks game for free on this special game night!
Sports Community Athletic Park Children

Thu., 8/17/17, 6:30pm - Fri., 8/18/17, 9am @ MCPL Wausau
Bring your best stuffed friend to the library for a sleepover! Drop off starts at 6:30 p.m., pickup starts the next morning at 9 a.m.
Animals Activities Wausau Children Preschool Slp

Mon., 8/21/17, 11am - 1:45pm @ MCPL Wausau
Safely watch the solar eclipse outside with pin-hole viewers (weather permitting). Free and all supplies provided.
Science Wausau Adults Children Teens Tweens

Create a variety of crafts all with colorful types of duct tape! Free and all supplies provided.
Activities Art Hands-on Learning Crafts Slp Athens Adults Children Tweens Teens

Fri., 8/25/17, 11:30am - 12:30pm @ MCPL Wausau
Players can battle for points by drawing (and guessing) their favorite Pokemon characters!
Slp Games Activities Wausau Children Grades K 5

The MCPL Blog

summer craft

Get ready for summer crafts!

What better way to beat the heat than to escape to your local (air-conditioned) library for a few hours of crafting? Throughout June and July, multiple MCPL locations will host crafting events for children of all ages. Crafts will include making sparkling dragonflies, dazzling suns, salt paintings and more! Examples of some of these crafts are shown...

Summer Library Program Events Children

Staff Reviews: For Children

The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Smallbone

★★★★★ Fleeing his neglectful and abusive uncle in a brutally cold, blinding New England blizzard, Nick ends up on the porch of an eccentric old man who appears to be the owner of the Evil Wizard Bookstore. In exchange for a warm place to live and plenty to eat, the snarly old man orders him to clean the house, make meals and take care of the animals. The only...

Audience: Children
Genre: Fiction

Resource of the Moment

Britannica Learning Zone

Britannica Learning Zone

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