Volume 09: Issue 10 | October 2026

 
 

Hello, Door County families! 🍁

October is here, bringing cooler days, colorful leaves, and plenty of opportunities to connect, learn, and enjoy time together as a family.

At the Door County Partnership for Children and Families, we’re here to help make parenting a little easier by connecting families with local resources, programs, support, and opportunities throughout Door County.

OCTOBER 16, 2026 @ 8:15am

The Partnership is open to any Door County Community member. You are especially encouraged to attend our quarterly Partnership meetings to hear what the Partnership has been working on.

 

💙 October is Safe Sleep & SIDS Awareness Month


October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month, an important reminder for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone caring for an infant to learn and follow safe sleep practices.


 

💛 Parenting Can Be Hard — You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

Every parent has questions. Whether you’re dealing with tantrums, bedtime struggles, challenging behaviors, routines, communication, or simply wondering, “Am I handling this the right way?” — support is available.

Our Triple P – Positive Parenting Program offers practical strategies that can help parents feel more confident while building strong, positive relationships with their children.

There’s no judgment and no expectation of “perfect parenting” — just tools you can use in real life.

 

FREE FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES

The Friends of Door County Libraries invites you to join in the fun and celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th Birthday this October. 

Woozles and Wizzles Creative Art Projects on Saturday, October 3, 11 am – 4 pm

ARTicipation, Sturgeon Bay FREE drop-in family art workshop creating your own Woozle or Wizzle--the mysterious creatures that Pooh and Piglet track in the 1926 classic Winnie-the-Pooh. Stop in anytime between 11-4 pm and have oodles of fun.

Sign up at ARTicipation Gallery and Studio: https://articipationdoorcounty.com/

Letters to Winnie the Pooh Family Writing Workshop Saturday, October 3, 10-11 am

Sunday, October 11, 11 am to noon

Write On, Door County

As part of the Friends of Door County Library's celebration of the 100-year anniversiary of the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, young and old alike are invited to write letters to Pooh. Letter kits will be available along with ideas and assistance in creating your letters, as well as light refreshments. The Friends and Write On will collect letters and send them to the Pooh Corner Shop in Hartfield, England, where fans of the books have long sent letter to a special collection mailbox for Pooh Bear. Can't make the session but still want to take part? Letter writing kits are available for pickup at all branches of the Door County Library, as well as at Write On and other partner locations. Drop off boxes for your completed letters are at each location as well, so Door County letters can be sent en masse to Hartfield! THIS IS A FREE EVENT, open to all. There is no need to register; simply show up. If you attempt to register and get a message that registration is closed, ignore it. We are working on this issue.

Letters to Winnie the Pooh Writing Workshop

THERE ARE A LOT MORE ACTIVITIES HAPPENING SO CHECK THEM OUT:

October 9 | Pumpkin Carving Night – Sturgeon Bay | 4:00PM-5:30PM

Fun-filled weekend! Free admission. Live music, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, face painting, pumpkin & scarecrow displays, magician, kids games & activities, raffles, food and fun!


October 10–11 | Pumpkin Patch Festival – Egg Harbor

Fun-filled weekend! Free admission. Live music, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, face painting, pumpkin & scarecrow displays, magician, kids games & activities, raffles, food and fun!


October 16 | Trails & Treats – Sturgeon Bay | 5:30-7:00PM

CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK: Trick-or-treat along our luminary-lit paths, glowing with jack-o-lanterns carved by the community. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join the fun! No registration required. Free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of our amazing sponsors.


October 16-18 | Sister Bay Fall Fest – Sister Bay

The festival features family activities, kids' games, live music, an arts and crafts fair, and the annual Fall Fest Parade on Saturday at 11 AM. Food and some activities are paid, but families can attend and enjoy many of the festival happenings without an admission charge.


October 22 | Lasers & Lightsabers – Sturgeon Bay | 5PM-6:30PM

Join us for a dynamic, visually rich presentation blending cutting-edge science with behind‑the‑scenes storytelling from the world of filmmaking. The presentation concludes with a hands‑on science showcase, where attendees can examine real props including:

  • a giant salt crystal
  • laser targets
  • aerogel — the world’s lightest manmade material


October 30 | YMCA FREE Trunk or Treat – 4:30-6:30PM

Jackie & Steve Kane Center Parking Lot

Sturgeon Bay Program Center Parking Lot


October 31 | Pumpkin Walk – Ephraim | 2 PM - 6PM

Check out classic cars and motorcycles, arts and crafts vendors, food and live music for a fun fall Saturday in Baileys Harbor.


October 31 | Jack O'Lantern Days – Fish Creek | 10AM

This festival puts the “eek!” in Fish Creek! A true, hometown Halloween festival, Jack O’ Lantern Days will entertain little witches and goblins of all ages. Highlights include a festive costume contest, town hall games, town-wide trick-or-treating, a costume parade, mask making and so much more! This festival is full of surprises and will give your family a Halloween filled with good memories they’ll remember forever.


October 31 | Thrills and Chills – Downtown Sturgeon Bay | Beginning at 9 AM

Get spooked and entertained with a fun parade, costume contests, fall treats, and eerie fun for the whole family in this Halloween-themed event.


October 31 | Family Art Day: Mask-Making Extravaganza! | 9-12 PM

Get ready for Halloween and celebrate Fall Jack O’Lantern Days during our annual Mask-Making Extravaganza. Start with a molded paper mask and let your imagination fly. 


Every Saturday | Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market | 8 AM–Noon ---- last market is on Saturday, October 10th

Visit the market for locally grown produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, flowers and other local products.

The Door County Partnership for Children and Families in partnership with United Way of Door County is offering PLAY TIME BLVD! This is a space for families to play with blocks, paint a rock, make a bracelet, chalk art, practice those hopscotch skills and more! Check them out in front of the Door County Fire Company every Saturday from 8am - 12 noon!


REMINDER for family's who receive Foodshare (SNAP) benefits: several vendors at the Farmer's Market accept Foodshare benefits at their stands. All you need to do is stop at the United Way booth (in front of The Fire Company) and get tokens for the farm stands. You will let the United Way volunteer know the dollar amount you want converted to tokens and swipe your Foodshare benefit card on their machine. They will then give you tokens to use at the farm market stands.


 

Door County

101 Free things to DO with your kids in Door County...

 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

🤝 Not Sure Where to Start?

Sometimes you need help but aren’t sure what program or resource are available to you.


That’s exactly what Community Connections is for.

Our Community Connector is a parent with experience utilizing Door County resources and services. She can help connect you to local services and resources for things like:

  • Basic family needs
  • Parenting support
  • Child development
  • Food and household resources
  • Community programs
  • Family activities
  • Local services and referrals

Rebecca Paulsen

(920) 421-3145 call or text

rebecca@unitedwaydc.com


FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL


For assistance fill out the Interest Form and Rebecca will contact you.

 
 
 

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for this newsletter please contact Rebecca Paulsen at rebecca@unitedwaydc.com

STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for this newsletter please contact Rebecca Paulsen at rebecca@unitedwaydc.com