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

What's Happening? Apr 17 - 23 Edition

by Jennifer Signore

April 16, 2009

THIS WEEK'S HAPPENINGS

Earth Day is April 22, but you can start the celebration this weekend.  Check it out!

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Party for the Planet at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Participate in green activities and shop at a green marketplace
11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Art in Bloom at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Experience the galleries as art is paired with fresh floral arrangements.
Special guided tours and children's programs available.
For details, call the museum 412-622-3131

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Earth Day at the Natural History Museum
Celebrate Earth day with various activities throughout the day

Art in Bloom at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Experience the galleries as art is paired with fresh floral arrangements.
Special guided tours and children's programs available.
For details, call the museum 412-622-3131

Earth Day at the Children's Museum
Various activities throughout the day-check it out!

Saturday Light Brigade Live Broadcast at the Children's Museum
10:00 to noon

Hard Head Helmet Fittings in Sheraden
Make sure your child's safety helmet is fitted properly
Kiwanis Club of Sheraden, 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Follow the link for the full schedule-coming soon to a location near you!

Beginner's Origami at the Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill
Learn to fold paper into fabulous shapes; noon

Spanish Fun at the Carnegie Library in Oakland
Sing some songs in Spanish-all levels welcome
Registration required (follow link above)

Jazz for Tots at the Carnegie Library in Homewood
Saturdays from noon to 1:00p.m. in April
Music, dance, and sing-along for ages 3-5

"If You Were a Penguin" Celebration at the Carnegie Library
Come to a special family storytime at various locations:
Hill District @ 11:30a.m.
South Side @ 11:30a.m.
Beechview @ 2:00p.m.
Hazelwood @ 2:00p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Kidtoons "Celebrate Earth Day" Movie at Showcase Cinemas North
Join Super Why and the cast of Word World in some cinematic fun!
Noon; tickets $3.50

Once Upon a Toon at the Children's Museum
Zany storytelling and live illustrations
1:00, 2:00, and 3:00p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Happy Earth Day!

Blue, Gold, and Green at the University of Pittsburgh
Music, food, eco-friendly displays and information--all in one place
Free and open to the public; 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.

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.

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."

Reflecting on Pittsburgh

by Jennifer Signore

January 13, 2009

With a history in glass making, today's list of places where your child can see his/her reflection is quite appropriate for Pittsburgh.  What places do you like to visit?  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...