Things to Do for Families
For children (and the adults who get to tag along)There are hardly any "Don't Touch" signs in the Discovery Room, an area where young visitors can touch the fur of a grizzly bear, smell the aroma of the rain forest and see a vampire bat skull.
Included with museum admission, which is $10 for adults and $6 for students and children age 3 to 18, and $7 for seniors. Discovery Room hours: 1 to 3 p.m. The room will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. when not used by school groups. Between July 4 and Labor Day: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Call for special holiday hours.
Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Ave., North Side, 412-237-3400; www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org.
Exploration Station Jr. on the fourth floor lets kids romp through a ball factory, don a hard hat in the construction zone and splash around with balls and toys in a water table. Designed for ages 3 to 6. On the same floor, the Exploration Station, designed for children in grades 2 to 12, lets kids create their own video animation, launch an air rocket and get a grip on a Velcro wall.
Across the street is UPMC SportsWorks, which is included in museum admission. More than 60 interactive experiences including a 25-foot climbing wall, a design-your-own roller coaster and a unicycle 15 feet in the air.
Adults, $14; children 3 to 12, $10. Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Square, North Side, 412-322-5058; www.pittsburghkids.org.
The "new" museum has quadrupled in size and features "Play With Real Stuff" exhibits. Get behind the wheel of a real MINI Cooper in the Garage. Build your own boat and launch it down "The River," a 53-foot water table in the Waterplay area. Try on a cardigan and sneakers or ride a trolley in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Dance in front of an interactive art exhibit where letters of the alphabet fall from the sky. Make your own prints at the silkscreen station in the Studio.
Adults, $9; children 2 to 18 and seniors, $8; Thursdays, everyone is $6; children under 2 always free. Monday- Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, Oakland, 412-622-6914; www.phipps.conservatory.org.
The Discovery Garden, an interactive space for children of all ages, is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Young visitors discover nature by venturing through mazes, playing games, smelling flowers, touching velvety leaves and looking at birds and butterflies.
Adults, $7.50; children 2 to 12, $4.50; under 2 are free. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays open until 9 p.m.
Railroaders Memorial Museum, 1300 Ninth Ave., Altoona, 1-814-946-0834 or 1-888-4-ALTOONA; www.railroadcity.com.
Thomas and Friends Play Area is an adult-supervised space on the third floor with Thomas the Tank Engine play tables, cutouts, train books and games.
Adults, $7.50; seniors 62 and over, $6; children 5 to 17, $5; under 5, free; family of four, $20. April through October, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November and December, weekends only.
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Strip District, 412-454-6000; www.pghhistory.org.
Discovery Place on the third floor lets kids learn about the history of Western Pennsylvania in the 1800s by playing a steamboat game on the river, designing their own stained-glass window and wandering inside a mini log cabin. Kidsburg, a two-tier play space for families, has a spiral step entrance and spiral slide exit. Kids serve up Isaly's "ice cream" in a pretend deli, shop for milk and eggs, milk a life-size fiberglass cow and put boats, blocks and bridges on the Build Your Own Pittsburgh exhibit.
Adults, $7.50; children 6-18, $3.50; free for kids under 6. Students with ID, $5. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Warehouse-like 15,000-square-foot play area with a two-story playhouse, a tree house, a street of pretend play, a music room, a block area and art zone. Parent-supervised and appropriate for children ages 0 to 8. The center also offers an evening camp program the first Saturday night of the month.
Unlimited membership is $100 a year. Nonmembers pay $5 per child; adults, $2.50. Memorial day through Labor Day, Closed Mondays; Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for kid's camp, and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Winter hours, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday hours vary; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, 5401 Centre Ave., Shadyside, 412-682-4430; www.pghtoys.com.
Indoor play space for children birth through kindergarten and their caregivers. The volunteer-run cooperative has a climbing area, art area, dress-up area, infant area, trucks and books. More than 300 toys are available to members to borrow.
The per-visit fee for nonmembers is $5 per child, with a maximum of $10 per family. Membership is a maximum of $75 per year per family and less if you volunteer. Birthday parties available. Monday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; closed the first Saturday of the month, but the rest of the Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon. Closed in August.
Safari Sam's, 8001 Rowan Road, Cranberry, 724-779-1991; www.safarisams.com.
A family entertainment center with jungle tunnels, a game room with 50 games, a restaurant and small playground for younger kids. Birthday parties and sleepover parties also available.
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Children under the age of 2 and adults are free. Children 2 to 4, $4.99; children 5 and up, $5.99.
Auditioned choir for children ages 8 to 15. Rehearses weekly at Duquesne University. The choir performs with Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera and the Mendelssohn Choir. Tuition ranges from $575 to $650 a year.
Gemini Classic Children's Theater, The Factory, 7501 Penn Ave., Point Breeze, 412-243-6464; www.geminitheater.org.
Classic children's interactive theater. $8.50 per ticket. Usually 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in spring and fall. For reservations, call 412-243-5201.
Johnny Appleseed Children's Theater, Apple Hill Playhouse, 275 Manor Road, Delmont, 724-468-5050; www.applehillplayhouse.org.
Plays for young people, often fairy tale classics. The cast includes children from the community. Tuesday, Thursday and alternating Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m.; tickets are $6.50.
Looking Glass Theatre, Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive S., McMurray, 724-745-6300; www.littlelake.org.
Summer series for children ages 4 to 12 of plays based on children's literature or classic fairy tales. Tickets are $7, or $18 for all three performances for children and adults. A fall family matinee series for children 8 and up and their families. Adults, $10 and children 15 and under $8.
Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, 412-321-5520; www.pghkids.org.
On the North Side for five days in May. Puppeteers, dancers, actors and visual artists from around the world entertain children. Hands-on arts and crafts, educational activities and petting zoo.
Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, 412-321-5520; www.pghkids.org.
Live theater for children ages 4 to 12 by professional touring theater troupes. The shows are performed at Downtown's Byham Theater, Moon High School, Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pine-Richland High School in Pine and Mt. Lebanon High School. Shows run from October through February. Advance tickets for both children and adults are $8.50. Tickets are $10 at the door. Prices and locations subject to change.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fiddlesticks Family Concerts, 412-392-4900; www.pittsburghsymphony.org.
Interactive concerts for children ages 3 to 8 and their families. A three-concert series at 11:15 a.m. Saturdays at Heinz Hall, with pre-concert activities at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $15 and $18 each, and three-concert subscriptions for $40.50 and $51.
Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, 3000 Industrial Blvd, Bethel Park, 412-835-1250; www.pybco.com.
Internationally renowned school and company that offers classic ballet training and performing experience for students ages 2 and up. Prices vary. Students hold performances at the Byham Theater, Downtown, and at Upper St. Clair Theater. Tickets range from $15 to $20.
Pittsburgh Youth Pops Orchestra, P.O. Box 15675, Pittsburgh, 15244, 412-403-0002; www.pypo.org.
Students in grades 8 to 12 play light classical pops repertoire and perform in five or six concerts a year in various locations.
Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, Heinz Hall, Downtown, 412-392-4872; www.pittsburghyouthsymphony.org.
Student musicians ages 14 to 21 from the Tri-State area perform classical and chamber music concerts at Heinz Hall and other venues. Tuition is $500 a year.
Playhouse Junior, Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park University, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland, 412-621-4445; www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Second-oldest continuously running children's theater in the country. Three productions a year run from September until May. Fairy tales, modern and timeless stories adapted to young audiences and classics from children's literature. Appropriate for children ages 4 through preteen. Tickets $7. Weekend performances, 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Prime Stage Theatre, New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square, North Side, 412-771-7373; www.PrimeStage.com.
Using the motto "Bringing Literature to Life," this theater company produces adaptations of literature, new plays and other works. Designed for middle and high school-aged youth, as well as adults and families. Performances are October through May. Single ticket prices vary. Subscriptions are also available.
Saltworks, 2553 Brandt School Road, Franklin Park, 724-934-2820; www.saltworks.org.
Plays on social issues such as violence prevention and drug and alcohol abuse performed at school assemblies. Young company performances with acting students in August and February.
Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, 212 Ninth St., Suite 401, Downtown, 412-391-0526; www.trypo.org.
Musicians from the Tri-State area perform in three groups: a high school orchestra, ages 14 to 18; a symphonette, ages 10 through 15; and Intrada Strings, ages 8 to 11. Winter concert at the Carnegie Library of Homestead, a spring concert at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland and a play-a-thon at Ross Park Mall in Ross in February. Annual tuition $490.
Amusement park includes 16 roller coasters and the new thrill ride called Skyhawk, the world's largest swing ride. Kids area, 18-acre water park, mile-long beach, five resort hotels, including Castaway Bay, a hotel, spa and indoor water park that is open year round. A luxury RV campground and two large marinas. Open May 6 daily through Labor Day. Friday, Saturday, Sunday in September. Halloweekends in October with haunted houses and other Halloween-themed attractions.
Single-day admission is $39.95, and $9.95 for juniors (guests less than 48 inches) and seniors (62 and over). Ride & Slide package is $64.95 and $25 for juniors and seniors. Children under 2 are free.
Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom, 1060 N. Aurora Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202, 1-330-562-8303; www.geagualake.com.
Amusement park with 10 roller coasters, two kids' areas, waterpark and hundreds of attractions. Also the Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. New for 2006, Tidal Wave Bay, a 30,000-square-foot wave pool, which will complete its new waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom. Parents can lounge in 16 new VIP cabanas located poolside while the kids play. Open May 13 through Sept. 17; weekends throughout May and September. Hours vary throughout the season, but the park typically opens at 10 a.m. Wildwater Kingdom opens May 27.
All-day admission for both the waterpark and rides is $24.95 for those 48 inches or taller; junior admission for guests less than 48 inches tall is $9.95; senior admission for guests 62 and older is $9.95. Children 2 and younger are free. Season passes available online for $79.95.
Idlewild & SoakZone, Route 30 East, Ligonier, 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com.
Family theme park featuring SoakZone waterpark, Raccoon Lagoon kiddieland, Jumpin' Jungle play area with ball crawl and swinging bridge, Story Book Forest with Old Woman in the Shoe and other characters, trolley ride through life-sized Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Olde Idlewild amusement park and Hootin' Holler filled with Wild West attractions including the flume ride, Paul Bunyon's Loggin' Toboggan and the Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley in the Soak Zone. Open May 25-29 and June 2-Aug. 27 and Sept. 2 to 4. Open for Hallowboo! Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 7-29; Park gates open at 10 a.m.
Fun Day Pass, $23.95; senior citizens, $15.95; children 2 and under free; Season Pass, $49.95 until May 15 and then $54.95.
Kennywood, 4800 Kennywood Blvd., Route 837, West Mifflin, 412-461-0500; www.kennywood.com.
Amusement park featuring 33 adult rides, including three world-class wooden coasters, 84-mph Phantom's Revenge steel roller coaster and the Exterminator, a one-of-a-kind indoor coaster. New this season, the SwingShot thrill ride. Also, live shows, Kiddieland, games, gardens and picnic areas. Open May 6 and 7; May 12-Sept. 4 (but closed May 16); weekends in September and Friday and Saturday nights in October for Phantom Fright Nights. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. and rides open at 11 a.m.; closing times vary. Park opens at 5 p.m. Aug. 28-Sept. 1.
FunDay Pass, $28.95; Junior Pass (under 46 inches), $18; Senior Pass (55 plus), $14.95; Night Rider Pass (after 5 p.m.), $14.95; Senior Night Rider Pass, $8.85. Children 2 and under are free.
Sandcastle, 1000 Sandcastle Drive, West Homestead, 412-462-6666; www.sandcastlewaterpark.com.
Large waterpark on the Monongahela River. It offers a wave pool, 14 major waterslides, Lazy River, Wet Willie's Waterworks (children's water playground), boardwalk with food court and games, Tidal Wave Cafe and Formula 1 Speedway. Open June 3-Sept. 4, but limited operation June 3-9 and Aug. 19-Sept. 1. See Web site for details. Most days open 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m.
Admission, $22.95; children 46 inches or less, $10.95; senior daily pass, $16.95; 2 years and under are free; Season Pass, $49.95 (until May 15) and $54.95 after.