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

Indoor Gardening with the Kids

by Jennifer Signore

March 17, 2009

Regardless of what Phil might have seen last month, we've still got two months before we can grow our gardens outdoors.  That doesn't mean you can't teach the kids about gardening right now, though.  You just have to think outside the box.  Or, rather, inside the house.  Here are some great ways to spend some time nurturing your green thumbs.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

I know that the classic "joke gift" is a Chia Pet, but they really are a neat item for kids to grow.  Better yet, get the Chia Herb Garden, and you can eat the spoils of your labor.  Both are easy, fun ways to bring a little green indoors.  (Tip: if your house tends to be a little dry, you may have to put the Chia Pet in a plastic bag to get the seeds to sprout.) 

Avocados Anyone?

If you can get your hands on an avocado this time of year, don't toss the pit in the trash.  Instead, start a windowsill garden to sprout it.  Get four sturdy toothpicks (the round, pointy kind, not the flat ones) and poke them into the seed such that you can hang it over the top of a glass and the pit will be partially submerged.  Before you know it, roots will be peeking through the seed case.  While you won't be able to follow through to the tree stage in our climate, watching the sprouting process is a classic.

Rapid Radishes

A great plant for quick growing time is the humble radish.  They grow nicely indoors and out, and the wait for the fruits of your labor is short (in garden time).  Most garden centers already have their seeds in stock, so stop by, pick up a pack, and get growing.

Aerogardening

The newest indoor garden sensation is the Aerogarden.  I haven't used one personally, but I've heard great things from others.  You can grow herbs, salads, and a variety of other garden goodies, and your kids would probably love having a miniature indoor garden to call their own.

Go Green at Phipps

If your own indoor garden isn't growing (or even if it is) you can get a year-round botanical treat from a visit to Phipps Conservatory.  Take step back in time (the main buildings date to the Victorian era) and a leap into sunny days as you stroll the lush pathways.

The Horse at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History

by Jennifer Signore

March 16, 2009

On a recent trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, we visited the new exhibit, The Horse, which will be on display through May 24.  This multimedia exhibit covers so many aspects of the horse that you're sure to find something that reigns you in (so punny).  My kids enjoyed the dioramas and "What is it?" displays that slide to reveal information about a horse-related object.  Soon after you enter the exhibit, you come to a large screen with an animated cross section of a horse-the animal in the video eats some grass and you then watch the grass as it passes all the way through (and out) of the digestive system.  I thought it was pretty interesting, and kids are often fascinated with poop, so it might just keep their attention for a while.

Other displays include a hose-drawn fire engine, a large terra cotta horse, and horse-themed toys.  There are a couple of other horse video displays in the exhibit.  One that my kids sat and watched for a while featured horses in New York City-police horses and then some therapeutic horses at a stable right in the middle of the city.  I've been to NYC a few times and have to admit I never thought I could find a stable on one of those busy streets.  In Central Park, maybe, but not in the concrete jungle.  Oh, and the touch screen exhibits on horse types and colors were also a huge hit.  (Actually, the new touch screens throughout the museum have been a big draw for my kids-kudos to the museum staff for the installation.)

If you want to see a real Equustravaganza (scroll down a bit on the link for the full list of activities), come to the museum on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and learn about things like shoeing, grooming, and tack; visit with a real horse; talk with competitive riders; and try on riding equipment.  All activities are included with museum admission.

What's Happening? February 13 - 19 Edition

by Jennifer Signore

February 13, 2009

THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Alice in Wonderland at the Carnegie Library Music Hall in Carnegie
Watch the story come to life, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $5 (discount available at Web link)

Family Yoga at the Children's Museum (every Friday in February)
12:15 to 12:45 p.m., free tea afterwards for participants

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Fiddlesticks: Our Musical Neighborhood
Heinz Hall, 11:15a.m., doors open at 10:00a.m. for pre-concert activities
Tickets $16 and $19

Darwin Remembers: A Play at the Carnegie Science Center
Saturdays through February 28, 2:00p.m.
Celebrate Darwin's 200^th birthday by learning more about his life

Alice in Wonderland at the Carnegie Library Music Hall in Carnegie
Watch the story come to life, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets $5 (discount available at Web link)

Healthy Smile Days at the Children's Museum
Free dental screenings from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and a visit with the tooth fairy

Human Society at the Children's Museum
Adopt a furry friend, 12:00 to 3:00p.m.

Family Dance Party at the Children's Museum
Dance your heart out, 1:00 to 3:00p.m.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Alice in Wonderland at the Carnegie Library Music Hall in Carnegie
Watch the story come to life, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets $5 (discount available at Web link)

Professor MiGooch at the Children's Museum
Professor of Fun wandering the museum 1:00 to 3:00p.m.
Stuffie Show at 3:00p.m.

Open House at Glen Montessori School
Emsworth, 1:00 to 3:00p.m.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Betsy and Pals at the Children's Museum
Sing and dance, 1:00p.m.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Gallery Play Dates for Preschoolers at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Brrr! It's Cold Outside:  explore sunny scenes around the galleries
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; additional cost = $20 members/$24 nonmembers per adult-child pair
Call for reservations:  412-622-3288

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Painting with White at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts
Ages 4 - 6, 4:30 to 6:00p.m.
Create a snowy day painting
Tuition: member $15/nonmember $25

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19

A Day with Monet at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts
Ages 6 - 10, 4:30 to 6:00p.m.
Paint in the Impressionist style
Tuition: member $15/nonmember $25

A LOOK AHEAD

Animation for Kids at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Lets your kids, ages 5 - 7, explore the art form of animation
Class begins Saturday, February 21
Four sessions, 10:00 to 11:30a.m.
Space is limited

EVERGREEN EVENTS

Children's Museum
There's always something happening at the Children's Museum.  Check out their calendar for the month for a great activity to share with the kids.  Don't forget that they have classes for kids every day. Most are included with museum admission; check the Website for details.

Carnegie Museum of Art
CMOA has a variety of classes for all ages.  Every weekend from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., check out the ARTventures: Drop-in Family Art-Making.  You can pick up a gallery search and to explore together and then make your own masterpiece at an art station.  And don't forget about the recurring Gallery Play Dates for Preschoolers.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
CMNH has a great collection of activities for museum visitors.  On weekends, you can augment your explorations with the Discovery Carts, located throughout the museum (Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.).  Or, take a trek downstairs to the Discovery Room, which is open daily (check Web for exact hours).  Here, you can touch and explore the displays and materials or check out a Museum Bag to take with you as you visit other museum displays. 

Warhol Museum
The Warhol is an eclectic place with lots of bold patterns and bright colors that should appeal to the kids.  Check out Good Fridays.  While they are not necessarily geared toward the kids, admission is half price, and it's a great way to burn off some steam at the end of the week.  On Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m., check out the Weekend Factory, where everyone in the family can get hands-on with an art project, usually including a silkscreen on paper.

Counting Around Town

by Jennifer Signore

February 03, 2009

Teaching your preschooler math might seem daunting, but if you start with basic counting, it can be as easy as 1, 2, 3...(sorry, bad math humor). Here are some places around town where you might find some interesting things to count. Bridges Pittsburgh has hundreds of bridges. Depending on your vantage point, you may see one or, perhaps, a dozen bridges at once. By  Read more...

Three Days in Pittsburgh: Day Three--Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

by Jennifer Signore

February 02, 2009

Hopefully by today you are not completely exhausted, because you are about to experience one of the best dinosaur collections in the world! First of all, though, is breakfast (have you noticed that we Pittsburghers love our food?). I would recommend a trip to Pamela's Restaurant (various locations), famous for pancakes and also for yummy home fries (I don't like potatoes and I just LOVE  Read more...

Give the Gift of Pittsburgh

by Jennifer Signore

December 16, 2008

There are so many places to go and things to do around Pittsburgh, that it won't take much effort to treat your families to one of the gifts that keeps on giving--a local membership or subscription. Here are just a few to get you started: Carnegie Museums Membership A membership to the Carnegie museums gets you into not one, but FOUR great Pittsburgh museums: the  Read more...

An Educational Treat: Page Dairy Mart

by Jennifer Signore

October 16, 2008

Founded in 1951, Page Dairy Mart , at the corner of Carson Street and Becks Run Road on Pittsburgh's Southside, is the quintessential seasonal ice cream stop. You will find rich, creamy soft-serve ice cream at a great price in endless combinations. The kids will probably love the dirt sundae, complete with gummy worm. Mom or dad might want to indulge in a SouthSide Shake, which is  Read more...