Welcome to the feast!
Maybe science experiments aren’t your jam or stocking an art room isn’t at the top of your priority list. Or maybe you just need a nudge to be social! Here’s a lineup of community classes, clubs and nature studies to help enrich your home-based learning. Grab a buddy and we’ll see you out there!
Homeschool Happenings
FREE Admission: Milwaukee County Zoo
Family Free Days:
Each year, the Zoo offers six Family Free Days in which all visitors receive free admission to the Zoo. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. The Family Free Days for 2025 are:
November 1
December 6
FREE Admission Milwaukee County Zoo
Family Free Days:
Each year, the Zoo offers six Family Free Days in which all visitors receive free admission to the Zoo. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. The Family Free Days for 2025 are:
November 1
December 6
Reserve FREE Admission! (MPM)
Kohl's Thank You Thursdays (KTYT) at MPM are back!
ALL visitors* (excluding groups) receive FREE access to the permanent exhibits of MPM on the first Thursday of every month during Kohl's Thank You Thursday. Children must be accompanied by an adult to receive free admission.
Reservations
Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed.
Admission is free, but we strongly recommend advance reservations.
Reservations for Kohl's Thank You Thursday can be made 7 days prior to these dates:
October 2
November 6
December 4
WHPA Homeschool Board Meeting
WHPA Description
WHPA board meetings are open to all current WHPA members in good standing.
Members are invited to attend quarterly Board Meetings regularly (January, April, July, and October) to see what goes on behind the scenes and stay informed – we have a great time at our board meetings and would love to have you join the fun!
2025 board meetings will be held:
Monday, January 27, beginning at 5:30 PM.
Monday, April 28, 2025, beginning at 5:30 PM
Monday, July 28, 2025, beginning at 5:30 PM
Monday, October 27, 2025, beginning at 5:30 PM
Current WHPA members who are interested in getting more involved with the organization should begin by attending WHPA Board meetings regularly.
WI Science Festival
WI Science Festival “Curiosity Unleashed” Description
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math with activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more.
Founded in 2011 on the premise that art and science go hand-in-hand, the festival has grown from a few days of events in Madison to a full week of activities spanning over a hundred cities. The Wisconsin Science Festival continues to grow, welcoming new event hosts and attendees every year.
Join us October 16-26, 2025 to unleash your curiosity!
FREE Admission Milwaukee County Zoo
Family Free Days:
Each year, the Zoo offers six Family Free Days in which all visitors receive free admission to the Zoo. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. The Family Free Days for 2025 are:
October 4
November 1
December 6
Reserve FREE Admission! (MPM)
Kohl's Thank You Thursdays (KTYT) at MPM are back!
ALL visitors* (excluding groups) receive FREE access to the permanent exhibits of MPM on the first Thursday of every month during Kohl's Thank You Thursday. Children must be accompanied by an adult to receive free admission.
Reservations
Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed.
Admission is free, but we strongly recommend advance reservations.
Reservations for Kohl's Thank You Thursday can be made 7 days prior to these dates:
October 2
November 6
December 4
Game Night
MPL Center Street Branch Description
Games galore! Join us for an evening of gaming at the library.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Hojalata: Mexican Tin Art
MPL Washington Park Branch Description
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a whole lotta hojalata! This vibrant Mexican tin craft demonstrates how to use recycled materials and simple designs to create decorative art for any occasion.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Shrink Plastic Pins
MPL Martin Luther King Branch Description
The Style Lab: Find Your Fit
Discover your fashion with the Makerspaces. Explore your style and express yourself through fashion and accessories. Join us every week to customize your look through different projects.
Shrink Plastic Pins
Make your own big work of art and shrink it down to a pin sized wearable. Learn to use shrink plastic and use heat to make your work a fraction of the size. Level up your jacket, backpack, or shirt and wow your friends with your new pin.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Lions & Tigers & Alebrijes…
MPL Zablocki Branch Description
Come learn about and make your own alebrijes for Hispanic Heritage Month! Experiment with clay, paper and paint to make the creature of your dreams come to life.
Have you ever imagined what it would look like if a lion, an eagle and a horse combined? Do you like creating your own fantastical beasts? Come learn about and make your own alebrijes for Hispanic Heritage Month! Experiment with clay, paper and paint to make the creature of your dreams come to life. Light snacks and refreshments provided.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
French Club for Kids
MPL East Branch Description
For kids 6-12, come join Madame Diane for a class all about French culture, food, and language through fun games and interactive activities.
Parlez-vous francais? Non? Then join French Club so you can confidently say “Oui! Je parle francais!” Learn all about France, French culture, and of course how to speak French. Au Revoir!
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
ACT Practice
MPL Villard Square Branch Description
Taking the ACT this year? Join us to learn how you can use your library card to prep and take practice tests using Peterson's Career & Test Prep - a FREE resource available through MPL!
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Game Night
MPL Atkinson Branch Description
Play games with us! We'll have a variety of fun games for every skill level.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Printmaking
MPL Central Library Description
Art Book Club: Printmaking
Open House event featuring books about printmaking and the history of print.
Explore the wonderous world of printmaking during September’s edition of Art Book Club. There will be numerous examples of print processes from Central Library’s vast Art Reference collection. Woodcuts, engravings, lithographs, screenprints and more! From graphic black and white illustrations, to colorful abstract prints, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
There is no need to register — drop in any time during the program to browse the materials at your leisure.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Air-Dry Clay Pendants
MPL East Branch Description
Design and paint your own clay pendant that you can take home and turn into a necklace or keychain!
This program will invite teens to design and paint a pendant sculpted from air-dry clay that they can take home and convert into jewelry or a keychain.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Dear Diary
MPL Central Library Description
Dear Diary Day is September 22nd! Let's get together to learn about how rewarding it is to journal about gratitude, challenges, favorite animals, and adventures!
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
You Build It
MPL Atkinson Branch Description
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
LEGO® League
MPL Zablocki Branch Description
Come play, create, and compete using LEGO® bricks at the Zablocki Library! Budding builders and expert architects alike are welcome. Bring or make a friend as we build together at LEGO® League!
Are you a LEGO® fan? Join us for LEGO® League!
Each month we'll feature a building challenge to solve. After finishing, we'll name, share, and display our creations for all to see. Then, everyone will get a chance to vote on which design they like best. The winner each month will receive a complimentary set of LEGO® bricks to take home - may the best builder win!
Parent accompaniment welcome for young children.
Disclaimer: LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Level Up!
MPL Center Street Branch Description
Learn a new skill and make something fun to take home. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Each month we will explore a new way to make things and work on a fun project you can keep! Learn to sew, cook, plant, and build with tools, and discover how to use those skills at home.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Teen Game Night
MPL Martin Luther King Branch Description
Join us for Teen Game Night - board games, video games, and everything in between. Bring your friends or make new ones!
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
File the PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report!
2025-26 Wisconsin Homeschool Enrollment
You may notice that the DPI HOMER website states that it’s currently accepting data for 2025-26 but you do not need to take action any earlier than Friday, September 19, 2025. Here is the related Wisconsin statute:
Wis Stat 115.30 (3)
On or before each October 15, each administrator of a public or private school system or a home-based private educational program shall submit, on forms provided by the department, a statement of the enrollment on the 3rd Friday of September in the elementary and high school grades under his or her jurisdiction to the department which shall prepare such reports as will enable the public and private schools and home-based private educational programs to make projections regarding school buildings, teacher supply and funds required. The administrator of each private school system and home-based private educational program shall indicate in his or her report whether the system or program meets all of the criteria under s. 118.165 (1).
The Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association’s (WHPA) encourages home-based educators to file the PI-1206 only during the window between the third Friday in September and October 15th.
Please review WHPA’s guidance on When and How to File the PI-1206 for more context.
Custom Shoe Laces & Beads
MPL Washington Park Branch
The Style Lab: Find Your Fit
Discover your fashion with the Makerspaces. Explore your style and express yourself through fashion and accessories. Join us every week to customize your look through different projects.
Custom Shoe Laces & Beads
Customize your kicks with fresh laces and a variety of beads. Try out different combinations of beads and charms or tie up your laces in a new pattern to personalize your style.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Custom Shoe Laces & Beads
MPL Martin Luther King Branch Description
The Style Lab: Find Your Fit
Discover your fashion with the Makerspaces. Explore your style and express yourself through fashion and accessories. Join us every week to customize your look through different projects.
Custom Shoe Laces & Beads
Customize your kicks with fresh laces and a variety of beads. Try out different combinations of beads and charms or tie up your laces in a new pattern to personalize your style.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
You Build It!
MPL Good Hope Branch Description
Spend an afternoon exploring and creating with open building time! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity!
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Craft & Chat
MPL East Branch Description
Bring your craft and hang out for a cozy craft and chat! All-ages program to bring neighborhood crafters together. Every Thursday starting September 4th thru December 4th, 4-5pm.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Paint & Sip Tea Party
West Allis Public Library Description
Tap into your creative side with a relaxing evening of painting, tea, and camaraderie. No experience is necessary. Open to ages 12 and up. Registration begins Monday, August 18th.
If you have participated in previous Paint & Sip events, we kindly request you wait to register until Monday, August 25th, this will allow newcomers an opportunity to participate.
If you register but are unable to attend, please cancel your registration so others may participate. Registration can be cancelled online via your confirmation email or by calling the Library's Reference Desk.
*This is a non-alcoholic program.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
After School Art Club
Oak Creek Public Library Description
Bring your imagination and creative thinking skills to our After School Art Club! At each session, you will create a different work of art. Wear something that can get messy!
This program is for those in grades 2-5 and will take place in the Story Time Room. Registration for each session is required.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Teen & Tween Craft
Greendale Public Library Description
Ready to get crafty? Teens and Tweens in grades 6-12, join us for a fun craft! Want to know what the craft is? Check out the Teen Instagram (@grndpubliclib_teen) the week of the event to find out! No registration required.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.
Wonder Wednesday
Wauwatosa Public Library Description
School’s back & so are Wonder Wednesdays!
The first Wednesday of every month (well usually the first ;) is when we pull out games, crafts, or activities, plus snacks. For all the additional Wednesdays, we'll provide healthy snacks and a respectful, calm environment to chill and get homework done. We’ll see you there!
This program is made possible by a grant from the Brewers Community Foundation.
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Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the organizer’s event page to check on the current status.