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. Registration is not needed but to receive a weekl...

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. Just drop in or register to get a reminder email! ...

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! TCPL is inviting youth 8+, Teens, and families to a monthly robot race in the Makerspace! Each month participants will be challenged to program and tune a robot car to achieve the fastest time on the track. A new track will...

Library Open

1:00pm - 5:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Library - Public Area and Stacks
Age Group: Adults, Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids, Teens

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! Co-sp...

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. Participants will also have the opportunity to display their creations in the Youth Services section for one week. ...

City of Ithaca Downtown Plan Open House

4:00pm - 7:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Avenue of the Friends
Age Group: Adults, Families
Program Type: Community Groups
About this event::
Join the City of Ithaca for a Downtown Plan Open House! Staff will show ideas for next steps and hear from the public about their preferences, with tables set up along the Avenue of the Friends inside the Library. The event is free and open to eve...

Spring Writes Poetry and Prose Open Mic

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Open
Registration
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Ezra Cornell Reading Room
Age Group: Adults, Families, Teens
Program Type: Performance, Poetry
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 66
About this event::
Join us for Spring Writes Open Mic! Local poets and prose writers will have the opportunity to showcase their work during this free open mic event, open to writers of all ages and experience levels. This event is also open to community members w...