Image courtesy Marathon County Public Library.

WAUSAU – Each week, the Marathon County Public Library offers story times for children and their parents 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 craftmaking, too.

The following story times will be held at the locations listed below:

Wausau (300 N. First St., Wausau)

Bouncing Babies Story Time

Babies and their caregivers are invited to the library for 20 minutes of lap-sit story time. Babies will sit in a caregiver’s lap and enjoy songs and rhymes while bouncing along. We will share nursery rhymes, songs and board books. A laid-back play time will be offered after for parents and caregivers (and babies!) to socialize. Best for children ages 1 and younger.

  • Tue., April 4, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Tue., April 11, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Tue., April 18, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Tue., April 25, 10-10:30 a.m.

Family Story Time

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

  • Thurs., April 6, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 13, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 20, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 27, 10-10:30 a.m.

Tales for Tots

Little movers and caregivers, join us for a fun and interactive story time geared for toddlers. We will meet every Monday morning to read interactive stories, sing songs together and have a lot of fun in this 20-30 minute story time. This program is designed to help children ages 2-4 acquire fundamental knowledge such as shapes, numbers, colors, rhyming and more in a unique and fun way. Children must attend with a caregiver.

  • Mon., April 3, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Mon., April 11, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Mon., April 17, 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Mon., April 24, 10-10:30 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. Call 715-845-6747 for the latest information.

  • Weds., April 5, 10-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 12, 10-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 19, 10-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 26, 10-11 a.m.

Athens Branch (221 Caroline St., Athens)

Family Story Time

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

  • Mon., April 3, 10:30-11 a.m.  
  • Mon., April 10, 10:30-11 a.m. 
  • Mon., April 17, 10:30-11 a.m. 
  • Mon., April 24, 10:30-11 a.m.

Edgar Branch (224 S. Third Ave., Edgar)

Family Story Time

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

  • Tue., April 4, 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Tue., April 18, 11-11:30 a.m.

Hatley Branch (435 Curtis Ave., Hatley)

Family Story Time

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

  • Tue., April 4, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Tue., April 11, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Tue., April 18, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Tue., April 25, 10:30-11 a.m.

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

Family Story Time

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

  • Thurs., April 6, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 20, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 27, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Mosinee Branch (123 Main St., Mosinee)

Family Story Time

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

  • Weds., April 12, 1-1:30 p.m.
  • Weds., April 26, 1-1:30 p.m.

Rothschild Branch (211 Grand Ave., Rothschild)

Family Story Time

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

  • Tue., April 4, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 6, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Tue., April 18, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Thurs., April 20, 10:30-11 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. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities.

  • Weds., April 5, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 12, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 19, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Weds., April 25, 10:30-11:30 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://www.mcpl.us/services/childrens/story-times.