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

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
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. ...

Lemonade with the Ithaca Sunrise Movement

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Community Groups
About this event::
Meet local climate activist Cheyenne Carter, one of the founders of the Ithaca Sunrise Movement. Learn about what we can do to protect our environment and help stop the climate crisis. Enjoy a glass of lemonade, make a recycled craft, and check out b...

LEGO at the Library

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids
Program Type: STEAM, 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...

Pokémon Club

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Families, Kids, Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Classes and Workshops, Community Groups
About this event::
Pokémon enthusiasts are invited to bring in their Pokémon cards to battle, discuss, and enjoy with other fans. Beginners are welcome - an expert from TCGplayer will be on hand to teach the basics of the game and provide decks for players to use. T...

Tween Board Game Club

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

Toddler & Preschool Storytime

11:00am - 12:30pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
Toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers are invited every Tuesday for early literacy-based stories, songs, finger plays and much more! After storytime, stay for an hour of play and social time. ...

Sit! Stay! Read!

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cancelled
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! Children who attend 6 sessions will earn a FREE book of their choice! Co-sponsored by Cornell Companions. ...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

9:00am - 12:00pm
Cancelled
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
About this event::
TCPL welcomes ALL of the Kindergartners in the Ithaca City and Trumansburg School Districts for special class visits! ...