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."

Books on the Big Screen

by Jennifer Signore

May 18, 2009

This week at the Savvy Source, we are talking about kids videos, especially ones that are based on children's books.  These videos are some of my kids' absolute favorites.  In case you are looking for new video ideas for those lazy summer evenings when you want to just curl up with your kids and relax, here are the top five book-based videos from our collection.

Shrek

Shrek was the first video my son actually enjoyed and asked for again and again (at the time he called it "Monster and Donkey").  It has become the go-to video in our house.  I love the vibrant animation and clever reference to so many classic fairy tales.  If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for?  This pick is sure to engage every person in your household.  As an added bonus, the soundtrack will have you singing along (we have the CD because it's just that good).

Curious George

Who can resist that clever little monkey?  In this cartoon, we see a rendition of how George and the man in the yellow hat (in this pic called "Ted") initially meet.  We also get a humorous take on why, exactly, Ted wears that bright yellow suit and hat.  George's character will capture the hearts of both kids and parents (the way in which they have animated his behavior to mirror that of any given toddler adds wonderful character to the movie).  And, again, the soundtrack is great (can you tell I like music?). 

The Jungle Book

This classic Disney cartoon is a must-see for every family.  What child doesn't imagine him- or herself wandering around the jungle interacting with the animals.  After watching it, my son proceeded to march around like the elephants for months on end counting out just as they did.  You know you want that level of cute in your house, too. 

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web was one of the first chapter books I read by myself, and I think I have now read it at least 100 times.  To see it on screen is a real treat.  I admit that I have a soft spot for the original animated version of the story, but the live-action movie from a few years ago did a nice job of staying close to the story line while giving it a new dimension.   A must-see for every family.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I think I have read almost every Rohl Dahl book and enjoyed them all.  For movie adaptations, though, I am partial to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-specifically the original starring Gene Wilder.  True, the special effects are a bit more low-tech, but the story is much more true to the book.  I have seen other screen adaptations of Rohl Dahl stories, like James and the Giant Peach, but I really did prefer the book on that one.  I think it might be my aversion to bugs, though, and preferring to imagine them in my mind versus see them "live" in front of me on the screen. 

What are your favorite kids' books gone Hollywood?

What's Happening? February 6 - 12 Edition

by Jennifer Signore

February 06, 2009

To keep you informed of the week's events, Being Savvy Pittsburgh will now feature upcoming events every Friday. Some of these events are "evergreen" (happening every week), and I will keep a section for those listings at the bottom of the post each week for your reference. If anything new pops up in the evergreen section, I'll be sure to highlight it. The other events are either short-term  Read more...