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 puzzles, trains, a play kitchen and more along with our Reading Zoo, a special kid-sized room.

STEAM!

STEAM Cart

Let your imagination fly with our STEAM cart full of supplies for your next creation.

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.

Reader Is In

Reading to Kids

Hear a story read by our wonderful volunteers during your visit.

Maker Is In

Makerspace kid

Volunteers engage children & families in using our more high-tech STEAM supplies such as robots and snap circuits.

Sensory Station

Kid Reading

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

Virtual Tour

A trip through out department with "Visual Guide to TCPL".

Upcoming Events

LEGO at the Library

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Other
About this event::
Children are invited to attend this weekly LEGO® brick building program. 'LEGO at the Library' encourages children to use their imaginations or LEGO books from the TCPL collection to create their own LEGO art! The Library will provide LEGO bricks, an...

Tween Board Game Club

3:30pm - 5:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Classes and Workshops
About this event::
Children ages 8-12 are invited to explore and learn new board games each week with Mike Timonin, local board game aficionado! All kinds of great games to choose from! Put on your strategic thinking cap and join us! Michael Timonin has an...

Miss Judy’s Musical Adventure

11:00am - 11:30am
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Music
About this event::
Judy Stock uses the banjo, guitar, spoons and many more instruments to bring music to children Birth- 5 years of age. This program brings the joy of singing, rhyming, instruments, finger plays and movement all together in one fun filled 30 minute mus...

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 Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. Children who attend 6 sessions will earn a FREE book of their choice! Co-s...

STEAM Book Club

3:45pm - 4:45pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: STEAM, Book Clubs
About this event::
Children ages 8-12 are invited to a STEAM-themed (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) book club. Registration is required. Register and pick up your free copy of the book at the Youth Services Reference Desk. Refreshments will be served. ...

CozyBop - Babywearing Dance Class

10:30am - 11:00am
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Classes and Workshops
About this event::
Bond with baby while getting down with other parents in this judgment-free groove zone. Support social and emotional development through gentle movements that remind baby of the womb. Dancing together in the 4th trimester and beyond solidifies attach...

Baby & Toddler Playtime

11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
About this event::
Baby & Toddler Playtime is an hour-long unstructured play and social time for children and adults offering a warm, child-friendly space with books, music and a variety of age-appropriate toys. ...

LEGO at the Library

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: Other
About this event::
Children are invited to attend this weekly LEGO® brick building program. 'LEGO at the Library' encourages children to use their imaginations or LEGO books from the TCPL collection to create their own LEGO art! The Library will provide LEGO bricks, an...