Play & Learn
Our Youth Services staff is thrilled to welcome you to our department.
What You'll Find Here:
Play Area
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
Play board and card games or put together puzzles for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-aged children.
Computers
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
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
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
3
2023
Sat
Registration
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
3
2023
Sat
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group:
Families
Program Type:
Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining:
55
About this event::
Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to celebrate reading and build their early literacy skills every week at Family Storytime!
Registration is not required. If you’d like to receive weekly email reminders for these storytimes, co...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Jun
3
2023
Sat
Playtime with the Finger Lakes Toy Library
11:30am - 12:30pm
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Jun
3
2023
Sat
Playtime with the Finger Lakes Toy Library
11:30am - 12:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type:
Classes and Workshops
About this event::
Families with young children are invited to come play with an assortment of toys appropriate for infants and toddlers. The Finger Lakes Toy Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to toys and play while fostering a communit...
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
6
2023
Tue
Registration
Library Branch:
Off Site
Age Group:
Families
Program Type:
Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::
Enjoy the beautiful summer weather while celebrating reading and building early literacy skills every week! Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome. In inclement weather, we'll meet in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.&nbs...
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
6
2023
Tue
LEGO Build Night for Families
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group:
Families
About this event::
TCPL is inviting 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.
...
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Jun
9
2023
Fri
Registration
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
Jun
9
2023
Fri
Library Branch:
Off Site
Age Group:
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Program Type:
Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::
Caregivers and their babies are invited to join Cassie for songs, rhymes, movement and books at the park next to the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St. On days when it's wet outside or we have a heat advisory, we'll instead meet in the...
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
Jun
10
2023
Sat
PRIDE Storytime & Dance Party
11:00am - 12:00pm
This event is in the "Families" group.
This event is in the "Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.
Jun
10
2023
Sat
PRIDE Storytime & Dance Party
11:00am - 12:00pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
BorgWarner West
Age Group:
Families,
Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers,
Kids
Program Type:
Storytimes,
Other
About this event::
Join us for a celebration of Pride - family style - with fun LGBTQIA+ stories and sing-a-longs; make a festive pride fairy flower crown, and then join us for a fun dance party with DJ Woodrow!
...
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
13
2023
Tue
Registration
Library Branch:
Off Site
Age Group:
Families
Program Type:
Storytimes
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: Unlimited
About this event::
Enjoy the beautiful summer weather while celebrating reading and building early literacy skills every week! Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome. In inclement weather, we'll meet in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.&nbs...
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
13
2023
Tue
LEGO Build Night for Families
5:00pm - 6:30pm
This event is in the "Families" group.
Jun
13
2023
Tue
LEGO Build Night for Families
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Library Branch:
Tompkins County Public Library
Room:
Thaler/Howell Programming Room
Age Group:
Families
About this event::
TCPL is inviting 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.
...