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

What's Happening? June 19 Edition

by Jennifer Signore

June 18, 2009

NEW at the Children's Museum, Bob the Builder: Project Build It!  Visit Bob and the gang now through September 27 for building adventures.  Every Friday at 11:30a.m. and Sunday at 2:00p.m. you can meet Bob and shake hands.  Every other Thursday, check out the Real Trucks that will be parked in front of the museum.  Special Tool Belt Time workshops will be offered throughout Bob's visit to the museum, and you'll find even more Bob the Builder activities on the museum calendar (look for events listed in red).  I have added this event to the evergreen section below, but I wanted to be sure to highlight it for you here, too.  We hope to visit soon, and I'll write up a feedback post when we do.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Kung Fu Panda at Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville
At dusk, free, for info call (412) 937-3039

Summer Solstice Spectacular in Bellevue
Family-friendly festival-something for everyone,
including a Movie in the Park

Buffalo Nation Pow Wow at the Woodland Zoo in Farmington, PA
Celebration of Native American culture and history with food, activities, dance, and music
Tickets range from $8 to $55 depending on what you attend

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Kung Fu Panda at Grandview Park in Mt. Washington/Allentown
At dusk, free, for info call (412) 937-3039

Summer Solstice Spectacular in Bellevue
Family-friendly festival-something for everyone,
Including trolley rides around Bellevue

Buffalo Nation Pow Wow at the Woodland Zoo in Farmington, PA
Celebration of Native American culture and history with food, activities, dance, and music
Tickets range from $8 to $55 depending on what you attend

Pancakes with Pop and Grandpop at the Penguin Book Shop in Sewickley
Pancakes, crafts, and stories-what could be better?  Oh yeah, it's free.

Father's Day Lunch and Kids Cooking Class at Heritage Library in McDonald
Pittsburgh Cookie Company will teach kids ages 4 - 16 to prepare a gourmet lunch for dads, grandpaps, moms, and anyone else who'd like to attend.  
Tickets are $12 for chefs and $15 for attendees. 

Hunter's Harmonica Festival at Rock Falls Park in Slippery Rock
Admission $15 for adults, $5 for kids 10-15, and kids under 9 are free

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day at the National Aviary
Dads get in for free today-don't miss the Flite Zone show or the new Penguin Point!

Father's Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
Dads get in for free today when accompanied by their kids!

Summer Solstice Spectacular in Bellevue
Family-friendly festival-something for everyone,
Including the Pampered Pooch Promenade

Buffalo Nation Pow Wow at the Woodland Zoo in Farmington, PA
Celebration of Native American culture and history with food, activities, dance, and music
Tickets range from $8 to $55 depending on what you attend

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.  Here for the summer:  Bob the Builder-Project Build It.

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.

Carnegie Science Center
There's always something happening at the Carnegie Science Center.  Nurture your kids' curiosity at one of the many science exploration areas, see a demonstration, or just watch the miniature railroad go by.  No matter how you spend your day, it will be a trip worth taking.

Phipps Conservatory
Take a stroll back in time as you meander through lush gardens and picturesque vignettes.  Learn all about plants in 17 distinct botanical areas.  Check out the newest exhibit, "Tropical Forest: Headwaters of the Amazon."

Father's Day Gift Guide--Pittsburgh Style

by Jennifer Signore

June 16, 2009

This coming Sunday is Father's Day, so why not show Dad that he's not just a trash-toting, lawn-mowing, spider-killing machine?  Here is a collection of great Pittsburgh-based gift ideas for dad that you may not have considered (because I'm guessing by now that he already has his Stanley Cup Champions jersey). 

The Coffee Dad

Most Eat ‘n Park locations now house mini gift shops, or you can always shop online.   Here, you can find coffee mugs (both regular and travel-my favorite says, "I take mine black and gold"), Eat ‘n Park's famous coffee, t-shirts,  and, of course, smile cookies. 

If dad is more of a coffee gourmand, you can also get a plethora of fine coffee (and coffee-related gear) in the Strip District.  Get some perfectly roasted beans from Prestogeorge, La Prima Espresso, or Fortunes Coffee (where you can also get green [unroasted] beans and do the roasting yourself-now that's fresh!)

The Art-Lover Dad

Does the dad in your house love handmade items?  Then take a trip to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Gift Shop and pick out something lovely.  The shop's collection is quite diverse, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. 

The Sweet-Tooth Dad

Looking for a slam dunk in the baked goods area?  Here are two places with which you can't go wrong.   Get dad some cookies from Nancy B's Bakery in West Homestead.  Just over the tracks from the Homestead Waterfront shops, Nancy B's cookies are simply amazing (my fave are the chocolate chip) and are HUGE.  Call ahead if you want to be sure to get a certain variety as they sell out fast.   

Perhaps you want a cake for that special day?  Why not pick up a burnt almond torte from Prantl's Bakery in Shadyside?   The combination of moist cake, real whipped cream, and sugared/toasted almonds is divine. 

The Wine- or Beer-Loving Dad

Does the dad in your life look for just the right wine to go with dinner?  Is he always asking to stop at local vineyards on road trips?  Then introduce him to Palate Partners, a local group that provides everything wine for Pittsburghers.  You can sign up for a Wine of the Month Club (yes, really-even in PA) or perhaps attend one of the wine tastings or classes. 

Is dad more of a malt and hops kind of guy?  Expand his palate with tickets to the Craft Beer School offered by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.  The Craft Beer School is a periodic event that brings in an expert brewer to discuss beer, beer craft, and other things brew-related. 

Tools for the busy parent

by Jennifer Signore

January 08, 2009

I don't know about you, but I am often left wondering what to do when a new situation arises with my kids. I have enough parenting time under my belt to wing it, but what do you do when something really odd happens or if you are a new parent without that terribly heavy toolbelt to carry around? Well, you go out and get some new tools, that's what! I know that there are many parenting  Read more...