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

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.

99 Things to Do With Your Kids Before They Grow Up

by Jennifer Signore

March 03, 2009

In no particular order, here are 99 things you should do with your kids before they go to kindergarten (ok, actually, it’s only 60 right now…your input welcome!):

1.  Go through the keyhole in Storybook Forest

2.  Ride the trolley in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood at Idlewild

3.  Eat warm soft pretzels at the Pretzel Shop on Carson Street

4.  Cook a meal together

5.  Visit the animals at Round Hill Park

6.  Go on a hay ride

7.  Watch a thunderstorm roll in

8.  And then splash in the puddles

9.  Get a cone at Page Dairy Mart and watch the trains

10.  Ride the rails at the Trolley Museum in Washington, PA

11.  Stop at a random playground—just because

12.  Spend a day at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum

13.  Ride the bubble-making see-saw in the nursery

14.  Make your own paper or clay sculpture

15.  And don’t forget to run the trolley in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

16.  Have dinner at Eat n Park just for the Smile Cookie

17.  See the holiday lights at Oglebay

18.  Visit Dippy the Dinosaur in Oakland

19.  Ride the carousel at Schenley Plaza

20.  Cuddle up with a book in the children’s room of the Carnegie Library

21.  Get hands-on at the Exploration Room at the Natural History Museum

22.  Dig for dinos at the Bonehunter’s Quarry

23.  See a mummy with your Mummy

24.  Pretend to be a king or queen in the commons room at the Cathedral of Learning

25.  Go to a neighborhood carnival

26.  And eat cotton candy

27.  Spend a day at Moraine State Park

28.  Find the Smiley Van at an event and decorate your own cookie

29.  Feed the fish at the Pymatuning spillway

30.  Check to see if the ducks really walk on the fish

31.  Visit Tour-Ed Coal Mine

32.  Play in the Silver Clouds room at the Warhol Museum

33.  Wish on the first star of the night

34.  Visit the cheese counter at Penn Mac in the Strip

35.  Get creative at the Weekend Factory at the Warhol

36.  Wear a sweater for Won’t You Be My Neighbor Days

37.  See a Fiddlesticks concert

38.  See the city on the back of a duck (a Ducky Tour, that is)

39.  Visit Laurel Caverns

40.  Go to a Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater performance

41.  See a baseball game at PNC Park

42.  Enjoy a day at Kiddieland at Kennywood Park

43.  And then ride the big carousel

44.  And then ride the train

45.  Now you’re ready for a funnel cake

46.  Take a river tour on the Gateway Clipper Fleet

47.  Attend the International Children’s Festival in May

48.  Go ice skating at PPG Place

49.  And catch snowflakes on your tongue

50.  Hear a story told by the Queen of Hearts

51.  Have a picnic dinner at First Fridays at the Frick

52.  Ride the incline (one or both…just do it)

53.  Have an ice cream sundae at Sarris Candies

54.  And wander the rows of chocolate delights

55.  Go to the Blue Slide Playground

56.  See the miniature railroad at the Carnegie Science Center

57.  Go to the Three Rivers Arts Festival (bring your umbrella)

58.  Check out the fish tanks at Wholey’s

59.  Go to one of many summer outdoor concerts

60.  Go on safari at Living Treasures Animal Park