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

SingSong Music Class Series

10:00am–10:45am
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Music
Registration Required

Story + Craft

4:00pm–4:45pm
Kids
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
About this event::

Story + Craft is our weekly reading + creating event for children! Join us for a read-aloud, followed by art-making or a guided craft. Best for children 5 and up, but younger are welcome with an adult to assist. 

Ages 8 to 108 Board Game Club

4:00pm–6:00pm
Adults, Families, Kids, Teens
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Digital Lab
Age Group: Adults, Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: Other
About this event::

Are you between the ages of 8 and 108 and love playing board games? Then come join our board game club at TCPL! We meet in the Digital Lab (you can enter through the Local History Room) on Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm.

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!

Study Buddies

10:30am–11:30am
Kids
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Schwarz Jacobson Meeting Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Other
Registration Required
About this event::

The study buddies program is brought to you for Ithaca students, by Ithaca students. High school student volunteers will be matched up with younger students for homework help and general tutoring. Registration is required.

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.

Your Wallet 101

2:30pm–4:00pm
Adults, Families, Teens
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
Age Group: Adults, Families, Teens
Program Type: Classes and Workshops
About this event::

 

Unfortunately this program has been cancelled.

Baby & Toddler Playtime

10:00am–11:00am
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Youth Services Department
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Other
About this event::

*Due to a scheduled class visit, playtime today will happen in the Early Literacy Play Area of the main part of the Childrne's Room. Thanks for your understanding!