Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Pittsburgh, PA

I definitely love to laugh, and I love it even more when the kids can get in on the fun.  Seeing them crack a smile, look to you for reassurance, and then burst into bellylaughs is one of the moments I cherish most in life.  So, as you might expect, I enjoy reading funny books with my kids.  We have a lot in our collection, and I have gathered here, for you, some of our favorites:

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

This book reminds me of life with a three-year-old.  If you haven't read it yet, it goes something like this...if you give a pig a pancake, he'll want syrup.  If you give him the syrup, he'll make a mess.  Then he'll need a bath.  And so on.  The twists and turns go on and on, delighting both you and your preschooler.   

Where the Sidewalk Ends

I consider this book a classic to the degree that no preschool home library is complete without it.  Shel Silverstein really knew how to make us all laugh, but it's that special understanding of what will really make the kids laugh that I cherish.  I grew up reading the poems from this book over and over, and I hope your kids will do the same.

Kangaroo Stew

I nearly forgot about this book until we were digging through a box of my old books to add to my kids' collection.  I immediately grabbed this one and read it to my son.  He giggled throughout.  I mean, really, who is going to believe that canned kangaroo isn't already prepared?  Now that's just plain silly.

The Bears' Picnic

The bears are up to their old family dynamic with father being enthusiastic but daft, mother being wise but accommodating, and brother and sister taking turns as the voice of reason.  Throw in the quest for the perfect picnic, and you've got a really fun read.

Green Eggs and Ham

As far as Dr. Seuss books are concerned, this is definitely one of the must haves.  However, I have chuckled my way through many of his whimsical creations, so don't limit yourself to just one.  Oh, and a little tip that puts my son into belly laughs: when you get to the part where they crash into the water and, once again, he says "I do not like them, Sam I Am," say that part while flapping your lips with the side of your index finger.  It makes you sound "underwater" and helps to convince the kids that you're a bit kooky.  A win-win!