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

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!

Stories in the Park

11:00am - 11:30am
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Families
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather while celebrating reading and building early literacy skills every week!  Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome.  In inclement weather, we'll meet in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.&

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.

Family Board Game Club

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Adults, Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: Other
About this event::

Join us for Family Board Game Club! Adults and kids ages 8 and up are welcome to come play board games with us in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room every other Wednesday from 4 to 6pm beginning June 5.

Summer Baby & Toddler Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Caregivers and their children are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S.

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
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.

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!

Stories in the Park

11:00am - 11:30am
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Families
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather while celebrating reading and building early literacy skills every week!  Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome.  In inclement weather, we'll meet in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.&