Drop-Off Summer Camp in Wauwatosa

Story Sprouts Camp (K4-1st)

Drop-Off Camp | Lunch Included | Single Class or 3-Day Camp Options

The drop-off summer camp in Tosa your K4 through 1st grader will ask to come back to.

EXPLORE THE WEEKLY THEMES →

Reserve a week of camp
K4-1st
Drop-off camp
10 themes
Story-led weeks
Tue-Thu
12-2pm
Flexible
Drop-in or full 3-day camp
Confidence
Independence and friendships

What is Story Sprouts Camp?

Story Sprouts is the drop-off summer camp Wauwatosa families have been asking us to build for years. It runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 2 p.m., for K4 through 1st graders. Lunch is provided.

If you've been searching for a half day summer camp Milwaukee parents actually like, this is it. The 12 to 2 window is intentional. It frees up your morning, gives kids a structured social break, and gets them home in time for summer shenanigans in the backyard or a trip to the pool.

The drop-off format builds confidence quickly, and the small group size means our team learns every kid's name by Tuesday afternoon.

A TYPICAL WEEK AT CAMP

  • Lunch Bunch

    Lunch provided! A social start time to start each day

  • Welcome Circle

    Welcome activities and a Community Circle.

  • Art Table

    Daily creative take-home projects

  • Interactive Storytime

    Not your typical storytime. Act & live out the story together!

  • sensory Stations

    Themed STEM-based sensory stations based on the week's theme.

  • Open Play

    Each week, campers go home with a book & all the treasures they made.

10 themed weeks for K4 through 1st graders

A drop-off program built around stories, art, and a little structured silliness. Tuesday through Thursday, 12 to 2 p.m., lunch included.

1

Drop in for a single class

$45

Try a theme for one day, no full-week commitment.

2

Sign up for the full 3-day camp

$125 Save $10

Tue, Wed, and Thu of the same themed week.

Free book from our gift shop
First-timers

Your first class is FREE

Curious what it's all about? Sign up for a single drop-in class and join for free. New things are hard, so we want to make sure Story Sprouts feels like the right fit for you, your kid, and your summer before you commit.

Tue 6/23 Wed 6/24 Thu 6/25

The Superhero Academy

Phonemic awareness becomes a secret mission. Sound effect training, an obstacle course, and triumphant superhero leaps.

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Tue 6/30 Wed 7/1 Thu 7/2

Wild & Free: Mud, Maps, & Magic

Engineer rainbows, navigate a real-life Listening Walk, and decode the secrets of the great outdoors.

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Tue 7/7 Wed 7/8 Thu 7/9

Jurassic Spark

Phonics through prehistoric dance-offs and fossil hunts. Dinosaur Roar opposites and a colossal explosion of rhythmic fun.

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Tue 7/14 Wed 7/15 Thu 7/16

The K-Pop World Tour

Travel from Seoul to São Paulo through dance, global snacks, and rhythm-based reading. No passport required.

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Tue 7/21 Wed 7/22 Thu 7/23

The Mad Scientist's Slime Lab

Goggles on. Magnificent mistakes encouraged. Fizz, pop, fly, repeat.

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Tue 7/28 Wed 7/29 Thu 7/30

The Lost Lagoon: Pirates & Mermaids

A hidden map, a treasure chest, and a week of collaborative storytelling, ship engineering, and shimmering mermaid tails.

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Tue 8/4 Wed 8/5 Thu 8/6

The Masterpiece Remix: Creator Studio

Process art playground. Splatter-paint storytelling, texture-driven projects, and visual literacy through messy hands.

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Tue 8/11 Wed 8/12 Thu 8/13

The Wild Side Safari

Junior Vet Clinic, savanna grass and arctic ice sensory bins, gentle empathy, and our best animal wiggles.

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Tue 8/18 Wed 8/19 Thu 8/20

Minecraft Builders: Real World Edition

Soft block engineering, construction sensory gravel, and the joy of stacking up and knocking down.

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Tue 8/25 Wed 8/26 Thu 8/27

The Good Vibes Tribe: A Friendship Era

Warm Fuzzy sensory play, collaborative art, and friendship bracelets. The grand finale.

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Lunch is on us.

K4 — 1stDrop in for a single class or sign up for the full 3-day camp. Members save 10%.

Reserve a spot

Who Story Sprouts is for?

  • K4, 5K, and rising 1st graders ready for a drop-off setting
  • Kids who love stories, art, and a little structured silliness
  • Families looking for a half-day summer camp in Milwaukee with lunch included
  • Parents who want short, repeatable weeks that fit a real summer schedule
  • First-time drop-off campers easing in from a parent-attended program

Schedule & pricing

Camp meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12 to 2 p.m. 10 weeks total, June 23 through August 27, 2026.

Lunch is included every day.

Spaces are capped to keep small groups.

Members

$100 per week or $38 per class for Little Village members. (Use your member promocode - forgot the promocode? No worries - email hello@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com and we'll hook you up)

Non-Members

$125 per week or $45 per class for non-members.

Meet your lead teacher

Designed by an Early Childhood Educator

Jenni Shine, Director of Programming and lead teacher of Story Sprouts at Little Village Play Cafe

Jenni Shine

Director of Programming · Early Childhood Educator

Jenni joined the Little Village team in summer 2025. She launched and leads our Summer Reading Program and teaches our Early Readers Preschool Camp.

She has a knack for engaging kids of every learning style and brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to early childhood learning, creating experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.

Most preschool camps are run by general activity counselors. Story Sprouts is led by an educator with a Bachelor's in Education and a deep love of storytelling. That's the difference.

  • Bachelor's in Education, Marquette
  • Story Sprouts lead
  • Summer Reading Program lead
  • Early childhood focus

Why families choose Story Sprouts

Drop-In Toddler Classes in Wauwatosa — No Commitment

Committing to a weekly schedule with a toddler is hard. Our class series is casual and flexible — drop in free, see how your child feels, and come back the weeks that work.

A Coffee Shop + Montessori-Inspired Play Space

We're also a coffee shop with a 2,000 sq ft Montessori-inspired toddler play space. Sip a real espresso, grab breakfast, and finish a sentence with another grown-up while your little one plays.

Quotes

  • "My daughter gained so much confidence here. She went from shy at drop-off to asking when we could go back."

    Caroline B., Tosa mom

  • "My granddaughter and I love thesummer classes and making memories."

    Karin K., Tosa grandma

  • "I love letting my little learn through songs, dance and sensory play."

    Tayler C., Tosa mom
1 3

Frequently Asked Questions

What grades is Story Sprouts for?

K4 (4 year olds in their pre-K year), 5K (kindergarteners), and rising 1st graders.
Is this drop-off?

Yes. Drop-off at noon, pickup at 2 p.m. Photo ID is required for any non-parent picking up.
Is lunch really included?

Yes. We provide lunch every day. Please share allergies at registration.
What if my child has separation anxiety?

Very normal at this age. A quick, confident goodbye usually helps the most. Most kids settle in by Wednesday.
Can my younger sibling come along during camp?

No, our play space is closed to non-campers during camp hours so we can give Story Sprouts campers our full attention. Younger siblings can play on the patio or hang out in the cafe during class.
How big are the groups?

Small. We cap each week so every camper has a strong relationship with our staff.
Is there a refund policy?

Camp registrations are non-refundable. We will send home any materials missed if your child has to skip a day.

Other summer programs at Little Village

Have an older sibling, a baby, or a kid who loves to read? We've got a program for them too. Explore Summer Programming →

  •  

    Curiosity Crew 3-Day Camp

    Ages 3-4 with caregiver

    Tues-Thurs · 2:30-4 pm

    Ready for camp but not drop-off yet?!

    Learn More
  •  

    Babysitter Academy

    K4-1st (drop-off)

    Mondays 2:30-4:30pm

    Where tweens gain independence & become responsible caregivers.

    Learn More
  •  

    Baby & Me Stroller Walks

    Babies 12 mo & under

    Mondays · 9-10 am · Free

    Grab a coffee and join us for a free Monday loop in East Tosa.

    Learn More
  •  

    Summer Reading Program

    Ages 2-12

    Jun 7 - Aug 30

    Citywide reading program with Tosa prizes.

    Learn More