Calling all makers and content creators.
Does your hometown library have a makerspace? If not, I bet there’s one not too far from you and it might be worth the trip!
The creative technologies available at makerspaces and innovation labs offer homeschoolers a fantastic opportunity to explore hands-on learning with little-to-no financial investment. Equipped with tools for crafting, coding, fabrication and multimedia production, these spaces encourage students to unleash their creativity while developing essential skills.
While not comprehensive…this page highlights a few spaces in Southeast Wisconsin you might want to keep on your radar. Reach out if you find an amazing space that welcomes homeschoolers and should be featured here!
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Waukesha County
Studio 321 located in the Waukesha Public Library is amazing! This innovative space provides access to computers, art supplies, and multimedia equipment, all aimed at fostering creativity and learning. It's a fantastic setting for homeschoolers and community learners to explore, create, and connect with others.
Notable Features
Art Supplies
3D Printing
Glowforge
Cricut Products
Audio/Video Studios -
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Racine County
The Innovation Lab at Racine County Library is an exciting hub for homeschoolers eager to explore and innovate with advanced technologies! Whether designing a prototype, experimenting with robotics, or unleashing their artistic flair, homeschoolers will find endless opportunities here.
Notable Features
3D Printing & Laser Engraving
Audio Recording & Podcast Studio
Robotics & Coding Tools
VR, AR and Gaming
Circuitry -
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Milwaukee County
No shortage of options in Milwaukee with makerspaces at the Good Hope, Washington Park and Mitchell Street MPL branches! Area homeschoolers will find an overwhelming array of options (too many to list here)! Check out the full menu on the MPL website.
Notable Features
3D Printing & Laser Cutting
Creative Software & Wacom Tablets
DFRobot Arduino & Electronics Kits
Audio/Video Recording
Snap Circuits & Ozobots
Cargill Community Kitchen -
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Waukesha County
Meta Space 511 at the Mukwonago Public Library is another fantastic makerspace for homeschoolers to unleash their creativity and learn new skills! Meta Space 511 offers open studio hours and plenty of creative programming. Ask about their Teen Maker-in-Residence program where creative teens can get paid while learning new skills!
Notable Features
3D Printing
Laser Engraving/Cutting
Vinyl Cutting
Sublimation
Sewing Machines -
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Kenosha County
KPL Kids @ Uptown Lofts in Kenosha County offers a vibrant Create space designed especially for early elementary homeschoolers. This welcoming library is rich with hands-on activities, interactive learning stations, and cozy reading nooks that ignite curiosity – not to mention plenty of educational programming. Bring your little ones to explore, create, and connect with others in this inspiring community hub.
Don’t forget to ask about the STEAM-focused Homeschool Club which is open to “homeschoolers of all ages”. -
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Milwaukee County
Milwaukee Makerspace is a community hub that embraces creativity and hands-on learning in its fabrication studio(s). Unlike typical library makerspaces, paid membership offers resources for advanced tinkering in woods, metals, welding, stained glass, CNC, ceramics and more! Members can transform raw materials into intricate masterpieces with mentorship and high-quality tools. Milwaukee Makerspace offers specialty workshops and classes that explore various crafts and technologies, empowering members of all ages to innovate and take pride in their craftsmanship within a supportive community.
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Makerspace Directory
In my research I stumbled across an organization called Make Community LLC, that offers a worldwide directory of makerspaces. At the time of this entry there were nearly 15 listings for Wisconsin. Their mission is to “empower, inspire, and connect individuals of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a global movement that prioritizes resilience, creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning. By advancing the maker movement, we are helping to shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to be a creator, a doer, an innovator—a maker.”
A handy resource to revisit from time to time to see if any new makerspaces pop up in your area!
Don’t forget about your Library of Things!
If you don’t have a swanky makerspace nearby, that doesn’t mean your library doesn’t have some of those items! The Library of Things is a fantastic resource that goes beyond traditional books, offering an array of educational and creative tools to support your family’s hands-on learning.
For early literacy, ask about story-time kits filled with engaging materials—puppets, books, and activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in your young ones. These resources can turn reading into a fun, interactive experience, helping to foster a love for literature right from the start. Encourage curious minds to dive into the world of STEAM with craft kits, tablets and gadgets available for checkout. From robotics tools to science experiment sets, these items encourage your budding critical thinkers to explore, experiment, and innovate at home.
So next time you visit your local library, don’t just grab a few books! Explore the Library of Things or ask your youth librarian for an age-appropriate recommendation. Unlock a world of learning possibilities that can enrich your homeschooling experience.