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!  

Have A Savvy Pittsburgh Staycation

by Jennifer Signore

June 23, 2009

Many families are choosing to take a staycation this summer, but since Pittsburgh has so many great things to do, it won't feel like you're giving up your summer fun.  In fact, so many families find that they don't explore their own cities as much as they would like, which means that a staycation might be better viewed as an opportunity to be a tourist in the ‘Burgh.

I have collected some features from the last eight months of Being Savvy Pittsburgh into a Pittsburgh Staycation Guide.  It is by no means exhaustive, but it will point you in the right direction.  And if you do take a staycation this summer, stop back and let me know what you did around town-I'd love to hear all about it!

If you have a few days in a row, why not truly approach it from the perspective of an outsider and check out the "Three Days in Pittsburgh" travel guide.  As the title implies, this series of posts gets you through a long weekend (or part of a week) in Pittsburgh.  Day 1 starts slowly with a chance to soak in the scenery.  When's the last time you went up to Mt. Washington and enjoyed the city skyline?  Get thee to an incline!  Day 2 throws in a fun trip to the Children's Museum with some yummy treats from the Strip District.  And Day 3 swings over to Oakland to take in the Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art.  

If you only have a day to spare, why not spend it at the Children's Museum?  It's a fantastic place for kids, and the adults will get a kick out of the displays, too.  Or, visit another North Side landmark, the National Aviary.  The new penguin exhibit is sure to be a crowd pleaser, and don't forget to stop in a feed the Lories! 

If you are up for more of a long-term adventure around town, perhaps you'd like to tackle one of the Pittsburgh lists?  The Pittsburgh Alphabet offers a lot of possibilities, and you might challenge the kids to build their own version of the alphabet list as you check off the many places and activities featured in the Savvy list.  You could also tackle the "99 Things" list (which currently has 60 items, so send more ideas please).  Trying to get through the whole list in a week will leave the whole family cranky and exhausted.  But, perhaps you could see how many you can tackle in a year.  It might just be the "to-do list" the whole family can get excited about.

Finally, given that we are in the heart of the summer season, don't forget to take an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor show around town.  There are so many possibilities-check out the Savvy list for a start and stop by for the weekend "What's Happening" posts for an up-to-date version of the goings on in the city. 

There is a ton to do this summer in Pittsburgh.  Where will you begin?

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."

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!         

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

Three Days in Pittsburgh: Day One--Soaking in the Skyline

by Jennifer Signore

February 02, 2009

Many people these days are choosing to spend their vacation time exploring their own city, rather than trekking off to a distant locale. This has been termed a "staycation" and is becoming more popular as the economy struggles. If you are planning a "trip" of this type or are trying to get some friends to visit and they keep asking, "But what can we do in Pittsburgh?" then I have a treat  Read more...

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...

Three Days in Pittsburgh: Day Three--Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

by Jennifer Signore

February 02, 2009

Hopefully by today you are not completely exhausted, because you are about to experience one of the best dinosaur collections in the world! First of all, though, is breakfast (have you noticed that we Pittsburghers love our food?). I would recommend a trip to Pamela's Restaurant (various locations), famous for pancakes and also for yummy home fries (I don't like potatoes and I just LOVE  Read more...