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

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

9:00am - 12:00pm
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! ...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

11:00am - 1:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
About this event::
TCPL welcomes ALL of the Kindergartners in the Ithaca City and Trumansburg School Districts for special class visits! ...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

9:00am - 12:00pm
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! ...

Kids Discover the Trail Class Visit

11:00am - 1:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
Age Group: Kids
About this event::
TCPL welcomes ALL of the Kindergartners in the Ithaca City and Trumansburg School Districts for special class visits! ...

Baby Storytime

10:30am - 12:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
Caregivers and newborns up to 24 months are invited for music, rhymes, movement and books. After storytime, stay for an hour of play and social time. ...

Baby Storytime

3:30pm - 4:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Storytimes
About this event::
New! A second chance to catch Baby Storytime! Caregivers and newborns up to 24 months are invited for music, rhymes, movement and books. ...

Family Storytime

11:00am - 11:30am
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. ...

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...