Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Milwaukee, WI

The Milwaukee County Library System has a great offering of story hours in every neighborhood. (If you are looking for one click here) But sometimes you need a change of scenery to keep little ones stimulated.  

Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops has been Milwaukee's largest independent bookseller since 1927 when Harry Schwartz opened his first bookshop on Downer Avenue. Today they have four bookshop locations: Downer Ave, Shorewood, Brookfield and Mequon.

Schwartz's really caters to a child's imagination. The reading area has comfy spots, train tables, huge stuffed animals and at the Shorewood location, a life-sized display straight out of the pages of Good Night Moon. There is plenty of room to play and be silly or act out stories or to sit and flip the pages of a new book. 

Another nice thing about Story time at Schwartz is that parents can enjoy the visit just as much as the children. With a cafe, (the Downer location is connected to a Starbucks) a generous selection of magazines, bargain books, best sellers, gift wrapping, calendars and more, you can encourage your kid's enthusiasm for reading and feed your brain as well.

Three locations offer Story time at Schwartz. (This includes a Saturday option for moms and dads who are at work during the week). See below for dates and times:

Downer Avenue

Story time at Schwartz on Downer
2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Saturday Mornings at 11:00 a.m.
(414) 332-1181

Mequon

Story time at the Schwartz Bookshop in Mequon
10976 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, WI 53092
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
(262) 241-6220

Shorewood Storytime at the Schwartz Bookshop in Shorewood

4093 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, WI 53211
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
(414) 963-3111

For more information contact Myra Poe, childrens bookseller downerkids@schwartzbooks.com