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

Big Red Marching Band Instrument Petting Zoo

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner Full
Age Group: Adults, Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, Kids, Teens
Program Type: STEAM, Performance, Classes and Workshops, Music
About this event::
The Big Red Marching Band and the Tompkins Public Library are teaming up to hold a musical workshop for kids, tweens and teens where you'll get the chance to hear members of the band talk about their fun times and get some hands on experience with th...

Tween Board Game Club

3:30pm - 5:00pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: BorgWarner West
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
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
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. ...

Animal Adaptations with Cayuga Nature Center

2:00pm - 2:45pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: STEAM
About this event::
Kids ages 7 - 10 and their families are invited to a special event with Cayuga Nature Center! Learn all about animal adaptations. Participants will look at skulls and pelts, and learn how animals have adapted to survive. No registration necessary. ...

Family Music Concert Series

11:45am - 12:30pm
Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library
Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group: Families, Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type: Music, Storytimes
About this event::
Children and families are invited to a Family Music Concert Series presented by Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou. This program will present playfully re-imagined classics, originals and modern standards for you to listen and sing along to. This ser...

Baby Storytime & Playtime

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 at 10:30. After storytime, stay for an hour of play and social time. ...

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. ...