Family Resources
Ithaca is a family-friendly community, with lots of programs and fun activities for families and kids. Cornell also offers programs and resources for parents, families with children, and students’ partners.
English Language and Culture
Many organizations in Ithaca and Tompkins County offer programs or informal gatherings to help you increase your English language skills and adjust to American culture.
Childcare
Local Media for Families
Libraries
Tompkins County Public Library
The library has a wide range of English-learning materials, as well as a children’s room and activities like toddler story time and teen events.
Finger Lakes Toy Library
Borrow toys for your children or donate used toys your children no longer need.
Fun for Children
Primitive Pursuits
This organization works with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide wilderness and leadership skills classes and camps for kids and adults.
Music Together
An early childhood music and movement program where you and your child can have fun together making music.
Children’s Garden
This free, three-acre garden is designed for kids and promotes environmental exploration and stewardship of nature
Lab of O
The Lab of Ornithology offers a free Exploration Station, where children and adults can enjoy hands-on activities about birds.
Museum of the Earth
At this museum, you’ll find plenty of hands-on family fun as you explore 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history.
Cayuga Nature Center
Children and adults can learn about the region’s natural history, meet local wild animals, and climb a six-story tree house to get a bird’s-eye view of the forest.
Farm Sanctuary
The Farm Sanctuary in nearby Watkins Glen is one of the first of its kind: a home to over 500 rescued farm animals. Visitors can interact with many of the animals.
Museum of Play
The Strong Museum in Rochester is the second largest children’s museum in the country and includes the Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Ithaca’s many restaurants offer plenty for families to enjoy. Almost all U.S. restaurants allow children, but some are specially equipped to serve the needs and tastes of children. Here are a few local restaurants our families enjoy.
