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

A Day at Kennywood Park

by Jennifer Signore

July 06, 2009

For most Pittsburghers, summer is not complete without a trip to Kennywood Park.  Situated on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River, this Victorian-era park, founded in 1898, has a vibrant history and was even named to the register of National Historic Landmarks in 1987.  The sounds of calliope music and numerous manicured gardens along the meandering walkways make it feel like far more of an escape than the reading on your odometer might suggest.

Your preschoolers will love the adventure awaiting them in Kiddieland (the first special area for kids in any amusement park--way to be a trendsetter, Kennywood!).  There are enough rides to keep most kids busy for quite a while, and, even on weekends, the lines are never very long.   Some of the rides, like the Crazy Trolley, Lil' Phantom, and Turtle Chase (among others) allow adults to ride with the kids, which is nice if your kids are visiting the park for the first time.  (Side note: The Lil' Phantom is actually quite bumpy and throws riders to the side even though the hills are small.  I would recommend putting your arm around a small child to prevent them from hitting the side while riding.  But do ride--my kids both love it.) 

Be aware of the many height restrictions throughout Kiddieland.  Some rides mandate an adult (they call it a "responsible rider") for any child under a certain height (usually 46 inches, but it varies).  Other rides are only available to children under a certain height.  In all cases, infants (defined as children who cannot walk independently) are not allowed.

One other thing you should be aware of is that unless a parent can ride with their child, adults are not permitted within the fenced area of the Kiddieland rides.  The operators will assist your children while entering the ride and will buckle them securely, but you cannot actually place your child in the seat.  Be sure to talk with your child about this fact, especially if they are hesitant around strangers.  

In the main park, there are many other amusements on which your young children can ride.  If you would like to plan in advance, the Kennywood Web site has a list of ride height restrictions; or, you can simply read the signs at each ride as you stroll around the park.   Don't miss a chance to ride the old train or the classic and ornate carousel. 

If you are hungry, the choices within the park are many.  We often take our main meal at the Park Café, which dates back to the park's founding and gives diners a chance to sit indoors, relax for a moment, and really refresh and refuel.  For a quick snack, the Potato Patch is a top choice for many.  Or, if you feel inclined to pack a cooler, you can picnic at one of the many tables or groves along the park's perimeter.  For those that haven't visited in a while, there aren't really any places just outside the park to which you can walk for a meal, so plan to either dine-in or pack a picnic.

All that's left now is to pick a date!   Hope you enjoy your summer day at Kennywood as much as we did!  

Check Out the National Parks Service for Unexpected Fun

by Jennifer Signore

June 08, 2009

While on our recent vacation, I learned about a great program for kids and wanted to share it with you.  The National Parks Service (NPS) has a wealth of information for families and individuals traveling to the lands they oversee, including national parks, national monuments, national historical sites...the list really does go on and on.  If you will be travelling, check out the NPS parks list to see whether your next vacation destination is in or near one of the parks.  Many of the parks have interpretive lectures and programs to enhance your park experience.  For instance, we visited the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and found a wealth of programs in their newsletter, called In The Park.  We heard a talk about pirates, explored samples of marine life, and even got to try our hand at crabbing!  

NPS also runs a Junior Ranger Program at many of its parks, which gives the kids a chance to get more involved in their parks experience.  The age range for the program varies from park to park, so check with the park you are visiting to see if your kids will qualify (the link above provides a list of parks with JR programs).  In addition, the "prize" for finishing the program will vary-some parks offer a badge, some a patch, and others offer both.  At Cape Hatteras, for instance, the program had two divisions, a program for kids ages 2 - 5 and another for kids ages 6 - 13.  Each division had an activity booklet to learn about the seashore.  Completing the booklet would earn the child a badge.  By attending two ranger-led programs, the child can also earn a patch (my four-year old got both and was thrilled).

If you won't be getting away this summer, you can also become a Web Ranger.   Through this program, kids of all ages can learn about the park and earn Web Ranger status by completing a set of activities.  Not a bad way to spend some computer time with the kids!  And if your summer is going to be a staycation, don't forget that Pittsburgh is within a short drive of places like Fort Necessity National Battlefield, which does have a Junior Ranger program (with a very cool patch, I might add).

Another neat item we picked up while in the park was a Passport to Your National Parks.  The spiral-bound booklet contains spaces for regional park stamps, which can be purchased at park visitors' centers or through the mail.  It also has space for you to put cancellations (ink stamps) to show that you have visited various national sites.  The cancellations are available at the visitor center for each park and are free (the booklet costs $7.95 but will hold lots of cancellations if you stamp carefully).  We bought one passport booklet to log family trips to the national parks and plan to use it often.  What an unexpected way to add a fun and educational twist to your travels!         

Great Ways to Enjoy an Outdoor Show in Pittsburgh

by Jennifer Signore

May 19, 2009

Now that warmer weather is approaching, I wanted to share some great ways to enjoy being outdoors *and* enjoy a show all at the same time.  Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities really do have a lovely collection of outdoor events for the summer.  Here is a sampling of what you'll find this year.

Cinema al Fresco

Citiparks Cinema in the Park
Starting in June, the City of Pittsburgh hosts movie nights at various Citiparks venues, including Schenley Park (Flagstaff Hill on Sundays and Wednesdays), West End (Elliott Overlook on Tuesdays), East Liberty (Beatty Street behind the library on Mondays), Brookline Memorial Park (Oakridge Street on Thursdays), Arsenal Park (Lawrenceville on Fridays), Grandview Park (Mt. Washington on Saturdays), and Riverview Park (Observatory Hill on Saturdays).  All movies start at dusk and are free.  For information, call 412-937-3039.

Drive-in Movies
All things old are new again, so why not re-live your own childhood by taking the kids to see a drive-in movie?  There aren't many of these theaters left, but you can find one in Moon Township and another in Mt. Pleasant (south of Pittsburgh).  These theaters are showing first-run movies for less than you'll pay at the indoor theater, and you can either enjoy them from your car or on lawn chairs and blankets.    

Concerts Galore and More

Allegheny County Summer Concert Series
Every year, the county sponsors a concert series at various locations, with most events taking place at South Park, North Park, Hartwood Acres.  Various other venues take a turn, so be sure to check the schedule.  This year's lineup includes the River City Brass Band, Joe Grushecky, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the Tonight Show's Kevin Eubanks just to name a few.  You will notice that the link above also includes other county parks events, like plays at the South Park Theater, which has a children's series (and tickets for the children's series are only $2!).     

First Fridays at the Frick
On the first Friday of June, July, August, and September, pack yourself a picnic dinner, grab a blanket and the family, and head over to the grounds of Clayton (the Frick mansion) for a relaxing evening of great music.   The whole family is welcome, and suggested admission is a donation of $5 per adult.  If you take the kids, I would suggest you set up your picnic on the Lexington Avenue side of the stage (to the right as you face the stage).  You will see a line of trees and shrubs to the side of the mansion as well as other families in the vicinity.  We jokingly call it the "children's section."  You won't be able to see the stage from here, but the music will still be loud and clear.  Plus, the kids can run about without disturbing anyone as there is a large grassy area just beyond the trees.  

Three Rivers Arts Festival
June 5 - 14, 2009
The Arts Festival will be here again before you know it, so grab your umbrella!  For those new to the Pittsburgh area, our running joke is that we get our worst rain of the summer during the Arts Festival.  But do not let the perceived threat of rain stop you!  The Arts Festival has such an amazing collection of artists, musicians, and performers that you really shouldn't miss attending at least once.  I would recommend using public transport if possible, especially on the weekends to eliminate a parking headache.

Three Days in Pittsburgh: Day Two--Children's Museum and the Strip

by Jennifer Signore

February 02, 2009

Start your day with a big breakfast at your local Eat n Park , where the breakfast buffet lets everyone eat exactly what they want (always a plus when kids are involved). Kids five and under will eat free with an adult buffet purchase and kids 10 and under eat for half price, so it's easy on the wallet. It's a family friendly place with a great cup of coffee to get a parent's day  Read more...

Indoor Play Spaces

by Jennifer Signore

January 20, 2009

The weather outside has truly been frightful, and my guess is that you and the kids are getting a bit of cabin fever. Where can you go to let the kids burn off a bit of energy? Here are a few places to consider, but please feel free to share your favorites in the comments so we can all get in on the secret. Pittsburgh Children's Museum While the Children's Museum is  Read more...

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...