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

This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am–11:00am
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Caregivers and their children are invited to join Cassie for music, rhymes, movement and books. Storytime will be followed by a playtime from 11-12.  Come and join the fun while building early literacy skills!

This event is in the "Kids" group

More Fall Fun Yoga!

4:00pm–4:45pm
Kids
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops
Registration Required
About this event::

Children are welcome to join us as we celebrate autumn in a yoga series that flows with the seasons!

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Family Storytime

11:00am–11:30am
Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
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.

 

 

This event is in the "Families" group
This event is in the "Kids" group

Families Learning Science Together

2:00pm–3:00pm
Families, Kids
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Science and Nature, STEAM
Registration Required
About this event::

Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to a free science program co-hosted by Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (CoRGi) at Cornell University. 

This event is in the "Kids" group
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness, Other
Registration Required
About this event::

Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides children ages 3-9 with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and literacy-focused mentorship with high school and college-

This event is in the "Kids" group
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner East
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops, Health & Wellness, Other
Registration Required
About this event::

Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides children ages 3-9 with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and literacy-focused mentorship with high school and college-

This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group

Baby & Toddler Playtime

10:00am–11:00am
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Other
About this event::

Baby & Toddler Playtime is an unstructured play and social time for children and caregivers offering a warm, child-friendly space with books and age-appropriate toys.

This event is in the "Kids" group

Sit! Stay! Read!

3:00pm–4:00pm
Kids
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
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!