Play & Learn

Play & Learn

Our Youth Services staff is thrilled to welcome you to our department.

 

What You'll Find Here:

 

Play Area

Reading Zoo

Join the fun with toy trucks, blocks, a magnetic board and lots of other toys along with our Reading Zoo, a special kid-sized room.

 

 

Games & Puzzles

game boxes

Play board and card games or put together puzzles for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-aged children. 

Computers

Kid at Computer

We offer internet computers for children aged 5-12 and their parents along with our Early Learning Stations loaded with games for the younger children.

 

 

 

 

Sensory Station

Kid Reading

Find weighted lap pads, noise-cancelling earmuffs, fidgets and other sensory tools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Tour

Take a trip through our department with our Visual Guide to TCPL.

 

Upcoming Events

Spring Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::

Caregivers with toddlers and babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books. Following storytime each week, we'll have a baby & toddler playtime from 11 am - noon.

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 57
About this event::

Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills at Family Storytime. We meet each Saturday for stories, songs and hands-on fun.

TCPL Robotics Club: Monthly Robot Racing

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Makerspace
Age Group: Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Technology Class
About this event::

It's robot racing time!

Sit! Stay! Read!

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Other
About this event::

Children are invited to practice their reading skills by sharing a story with a truly non-judgmental listener -- a dog! Reading sessions will be held Mondays from 3-4 p.m. Children who attend 6 sessions will earn a FREE book of their choice!

LEGO Build Night for Families

5:30pm - 6:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: STEAM, Other
About this event::

TCPL invites families to a weekly LEGO build night! Buckets of LEGO will be provided for participants to borrow for their builds.

Tween Book Club - Measuring Up

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids, Teens
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 6
About this event::

Readers ages 10-14 are welcome to join our Tween Book Club! 

For May we will read Measuring Up by Anne LaMotte and Ann Xu.

Spring Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::

Caregivers with toddlers and babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books. Following storytime each week, we'll have a baby & toddler playtime from 11 am - noon.

Early Readers Book Club

3:00pm - 3:45pm
Waitlist
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
About this event::

Children in grades K-2 are welcome to join our Early Readers Book Club.