October story time dates at the Marathon County Public Library

Each month the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) offers story times for children and their caregivers at many of its locations. These interactive story times are intended to introduce children to literature and reading through storytelling, songs, games, puppets, and fingerplays. Some even include extra activities and craft making, too!

MCPL has numerous recurring story times scheduled throughout October, giving children and their caregivers across the county easy access to these events no matter where they live. The following story times will be held at the locations listed below:

Wausau (300 N. First St., Wausau)

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children ages 5 and under and their parents or guardians are welcome at this 30-minute program. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. 

• Thurs., October 2, 10:00–10:30 a.m. 
• Thurs., October 9, 10:00–10:30 a.m. 
• Thurs., October 16, 10:00–10:30 a.m.
• Thurs., October 23, 10:00–10:30 a.m.
• Thurs., October 30, 10:00–10:30 a.m.

Play and Learn

Staff from Children's Wisconsin will read a story, share music and lead children through a craft project. They'll also be available to speak with parents and caregivers about parenting and developmental questions, and recommend community services that the adults might not know about! 

• Wed., October 8, 9:30–10:30 a.m. 

• Wed., October 15, 9:30–10:30 a.m. 
• Wed., October 22, 9:30–10:30 a.m. 
• Wed., October 29, 9:30–10:30 a.m. 

Tales for Tots

Little movers and their caregivers, join us for a fun and interactive story time geared for toddlers! We will read interactive stories, sing songs together, and have a lot of fun in this 30-minute story time. This program is designed to help children learn about shapes, numbers, colors, rhyming and more in a unique and fun way! 

• Mon., October 6, 10:00–10:30 a.m. 
• Mon., October 13, 10:00–10:30 a.m. 
• Mon., October 20, 10:00–10:30 a.m.
• Mon., October 27, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Story Time Goes Batty

Young children and their caregivers can join us for a special bat-themed story time featuring a Wisconsin Bat Ambassador! We will learn all about these helpful creatures of the night through fun stories, songs, and bat facts. Stick around afterwards for our Bat Explorers event for even more batty fun. 

• Sat., October 18, 10:00–10:30 a.m.

Athens Branch (203 Alfred St., Athens)

Toddler Time

Tots ages 2 and under are invited to an interactive, 20-minute story time designed just for them! The event will begin with a quick introduction, and then we will mix together fun stories, songs, rhymes and finger plays. Toddler Time is a great opportunity for parents and children to learn and bond together.

• Wed., October 1, 10:30–10:50 a.m. 
• Wed., October 15, 10:30–10:50 a.m. 

Preschool Story Time

Bring your little ones ages 3 to 5 to our Preschool Story Time at MCPL-Athens for fun-filled stories and adventures! We will build their imaginations through books, rhymes, music, and interactive activities. 

• Wed., October 8, 10:30–11:00 a.m. 
• Wed., October 22, 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Edgar Branch (224 S. 3rd Ave., Edgar)

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children ages 5 and under and their parents or guardians are welcome at this 30-minute program. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. 

• Tues., October 7, 11:00–11:30 a.m. 
• Tues., October 21, 11:00–11:30 a.m. 

Hatley Branch (435 Curtis Ave., Hatley)

Family Story Time

Children ages 5 and under and their parents or caregivers are invited to join us at our Hatley Branch for Family Story Time! Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities during this 30-minute program. 

• Tues., October 14, 10:30–11:00 a.m. 
• Tues., October 28, 10:30–11:00 a.m. 

Marathon City Branch (515 Washington St., Marathon City)

Family Story Time

Children ages 5 and under and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us in Marathon City for story time on Thursdays! We will read books, sing songs, and more during our 30-45 minutes together. Please note that our regular story time schedule may get interrupted by special events on occasion. 

• Thurs., October 2, 10:30–11:00 a.m. 
• Thurs., October 9, 10:30–11:00 a.m.
• Thurs., October 16, 10:30–11:00 a.m.
• Thurs., October 23, 10:30-11:00 a.m.
• Thurs., October 30, 10:30–11:00 a.m.

Mosinee (123 Main St., Mosinee)

Family Story Time

Children ages 5 and under and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us in Mosinee for story time! We will read books, sing songs, and more during our 30-45 minutes together. Please note that our regular story time schedule may get interrupted by special events on occasion. 

• Wed., October 1, 10:30–11:00 a.m.

Rothschild Branch (211 Grand Ave., Rothschild)

Story Time with a Construction Vehicle

Join us for a special story time at our Rothschild Branch featuring a grader operator with the Village of Rothschild! We’ll share books about what a grader does, hold question time, and even get a chance to see a grader up close. 

• Wed., October 1, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this hour-long program at MCPL Rothschild. Enjoy learning with your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. 

• Wed., October 15, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Spencer Branch (105 S. Park St., Spencer)

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this 30-minute program at MCPL Spencer. Enjoy learning with your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. 

• Tues., October 21, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Stratford Branch (213201 Scholar St, Stratford)

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this 30-minute program at MCPL Stratford. Enjoy learning with your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. 

• Wed., October 1, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
• Wed., October 8, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
• Wed., October 15, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
• Wed., October 22, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
• Wed., October 29, 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

All story times are free and open to the public, with no registration required. For more information, call your local library location or visit https://mcpl.us/series/family-story-time/.