KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh

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Fri, Apr 10: Spring Mix at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Sat, Apr 11: Scraposaurs - Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Sat, Apr 18: Dinah Day Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom at Black Writers Museum
Sat, Apr 25: Mt. Lebanon Earth Day 2026
Thu, Apr 30: Dear Evan Hansen - Pittsburgh Musical Theater
Sat, May 2: 2026 CHICK-FIL-A PITTSBURGH KIDS MARATHON
Sat, May 9: Second Saturdays at Meadowcroft

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

One of the best things about spring is that it turns all of us into treasure hunters.

After a long winter, we adults start scanning the world for signs that life is returning: We notice the first mist of green in a forest's understory, the first brave crocus, the first daffodil. If we point out loud, kids catch on quickly, drawn by the thrill of seeking what winter was hiding even just a few weeks ago, and they're ready to find magic behind every tree.

Of course, in our part of North America, spring can be stingy in early April: The calendar may insist it’s here, but the yard is still beige, the trees are still bare, and the only things blooming outside are spreading patches of mud. But there’s no rule that says spring surprises have to come only from Mother Nature! That’s one reason I’m such a fan of egg hunts.

Last year, I wrote an extremely popular step-by-step article showing how to Turn Easter Into a Treasure Hunt, complete with a printable PDF of rhyming clues. It’s right there waiting for you, ready to make you look like a genius with practically zero effort. And if you want to kick it up a notch and invite a crowd, our article Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party lays out the strategies for what may be the easiest, fastest, best-bang-for-the-buck kids’ party on Earth. Sure, egg hunts feature prominently in our culture's Easter traditions, but they needn't belong only to Easter, they're a wonderful diversion anytime, in any context.

Spring is a season that proves there’s treasure everywhere. Sometimes the universe provides the fun for us. And sometimes we create it ourselves.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Romp n' Roll Pittsburgh

Romp n' Roll Pittsburgh East is a play-based learning center catering to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. We offer classes, camps, and parties with a mix of Gym, Music, and Art activities. At our Summer Camp, 2-5 year old’s will explore our gym through independent and group play and learn artistic concepts while working on fine motor skills. Our interactive themes change every week. Our Summer Camp meets twice per week for 3 hours each day. We offer an AM session on Monday and Wednesday (9 am – 12 pm) and a PM Session on Tuesday and Thursday (1 pm – 4 pm). Children do not need to be potty-trained to attend!

Summer Culinary Camp at Young Chefs Academy!

Summer is calling and it's deliciously fun! Young Chefs® Academy Summer Camp is a fully immersive culinary camp experience. Each day brings fun, unique recipes served up with a side of sizzling tips, tricks and surprises, all culminating in a friendly culinary challenge among participants that puts their new skills to the test! Every week is a new curriculum (so no two camp weeks are alike). Register for one week or enroll in multiple weeks to receive the full culinary experience!

Peregrination: Xiaojing Yan 闫晓静 - Contemporary Craft

Peregrination, a long and meandering journey… This exhibition features work by Toronto based artist, Xiaojing Yan. Through the lens of personal migration and cultural hybridity, Yan explores the evolving relationship between identity, tradition, and the natural world. Yan’s art reflects a journey of transformation – an intricate weaving of folklore, ritual, and nature into a symbolic and dreamlike representation of lived experience.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Oglebay

Begin Easter weekend with a morning of smiles and springtime fun made for families. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, hands-on crafts, and cheerful moments with beloved characters, including a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Spring Holiday Hunt at Johnstown Children's Museum

Visit the Johnstown Children’s Museum during regular opening hours on April 4th for an egg and afikomen hunt!

Easter Brunch in The Garden Room - National Aviary

EveryBUNNY is invited to the National Aviary’s Easter Brunch! Savor a spread of mouthwatering entrées. Pair your meal with a delicious add-on glass of wine, beer, or cocktail. After dining, HOP through our habitats and complete a spring-time scavenger hunt!

The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum

Visit The Factory, our all-ages hands-on art studio. Experiment with a changing array of activities inspired by our collection and special exhibitions, from painting to collage to sculpture. Visitors can work with experienced artist educators to create handmade silkscreen printed artworks and souvenirs. Printing on paper is free, and other materials like tote bags, t-shirts, bandanas and notebooks are available for purchase with cash or credit card. The Factory is located on the underground level of the museum and included with museum admission.

Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library

Are you looking for a fun and friendly storytime for you & your little one? Well look no further! Join Ms. Sarah each Friday morning for Little Bookworms storytime! Each week Ms. Sarah will pick a special book to read and have some fun activities related to the story. We hope to see you there!

Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art

Join art educators in the museum’s Art Studio every Friday for free art-making and sensory activities inspired by the exhibitions in our galleries. All ages are invited to participate, and activities are free with museum admission.

Easter Train at Ross Park Mall

Hop on the train! Enjoy rides around Center Court now through Easter.

Vintage Pittsburgh - Heinz History Center

Stroll through decades of style at the 12th Annual Vintage Pittsburgh retro fair! Presented in partnership with The Neighborhood Flea, you’re invited to step back in time and shop ‘til you drop for far-out finds and groovy goods on Saturday, April 4. Dozens of local makers and vendors will be on site to sell one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home décor, vinyl records, and more!

Breakfast or Lunch Easter Bunny at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Hop on into the Zoo for a fun time this Easter! Create a cute craft, meet ambassador animals, enjoy our tasty buffet, and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Join us for an egg hunt on weather permitting days!

Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ Monroeville Convention Center

We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!

iD Tech Camps

iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech! Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 04/03/2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library - Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, 04/03/2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 04/03/2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 04/04/2026, 10 am - 5 pm
Free International Call for Art 6x6 - Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) - 137 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604, 04/04/2026, 12pm- 5pm Wednesday through Sunday, and 12pm-9pm on Fridays
Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Pittsburgh area - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, 04/05/2026, See link for times

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Pittsburgh area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Pittsburgh? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

2025's best places to take kids in and around Pittsburgh, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Plus there is LOTS more to do in and around Pittsburgh beyond the Top 20: Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com!

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 3/26/2026: Tour Guide

2026-03-26T06:02:42-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 26, 2026

*Easter Events and Activites
*80 Easter Basket Ideas That Aren't Candy
*Tips for Hosting An Easter Egg Hunt
*Create A Clue-Filled Easter Egg Hide-and-Seek

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sun, Mar 29: Bunnys Breakfast Bash at Dave & Buster's Homestead
Sat, Apr 4: Vintage Pittsburgh - Heinz History Center
Sun, Apr 5: Easter Brunch in The Garden Room at National Aviary
Sat, Apr 18: Dinah Day Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom at Black Writers Museum
Tue, Apr 21: Homeschoolers' Day at Bradford House Historical Association
Sat, Apr 25: Mt. Lebanon Earth Day 2026 at Mt. Lebanon Park

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world.

A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun.

Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time.

And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Summer Camp at Art in Motion Pittsburgh

Discover a summer full of creativity, movement, and community at Art Motion Pittsburgh’s Summer Arts Camp! Designed for curious kids ages 5–11, our camp blends joyful dance and movement, hands-on art projects, outdoor play, and walking field trips to local artists and makers in Sharpsburg. Each week features a fresh theme, so campers can join for one week or many. Camp runs the weeks of July 13 - August 10 with full-day and half-day options, plus a half-day week August 17. Days begin and end at our studio, with adventures to Kennedy Park and beyond. Sibling discounts and accessible pricing make summer fun possible for every family—we proudly welcome all!

Duo's Treehouse: FREE weekly play sessions Fridays, birth-5yrs old!

Join Duo’s Treehouse every Friday at The Kingsley Association Pittsburgh, a bilingual space where learning happens through play! Hosted by Duolingo and La Escuelita Arcoiris, this free program welcomes caregivers and children from birth to 5 years old to explore, play, and connect in both Spanish and English. Duo’s Treehouse is designed to foster healthy development in young children while supporting the adults who care for them, creating a nurturing, engaging environment for the whole family. To learn more and stay updated, visit Duo’s Treehouse on Facebook or check out our website. Come play, learn, and grow with us!

Little Farmers Day Camp

Discover adventure and joy at Little Farmers Day Camp! Give your child the gift of unforgettable adventure, immersive learning, and boundless joy at Blue Ribbon Farm's Little Farmers Day Camp. Nestled on our breathtaking 124-acre working horse farm near Allegheny and Beaver counties, our camp offers an enchanting blend of fun and education. Campers will feed and groom friendly horses, collect fresh eggs, and enjoy horseback riding with experienced, passionate instructors. They'll also create delectable culinary treats like homemade strawberry jam, pickles, and ice cream, cuddle adorable baby animals, and explore the whimsical Goat Mountain and the serene Raccoon Creek ecosystem. Ready to create cherished lifelong memories? Visit our website or contact us today!

Wheeling Polka Festival at Oglebay

Experience the Polka Tradition. Immerse yourself in the music, movement, and tradition that define Polka Fest. From high-energy live bands to beloved polka classics, the dance floor stays full all weekend at Oglebay Park Resort in Wheeling, WV. Choose a 1-day ticket, a 3-day pass, or make it a getaway with an overnight experience that includes your weekend pass from Friday through Sunday.

Beetlejuice Jr. - Pittsburgh Musical Theater

It's Showtime! The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in this frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. Including lively songs like “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line.

Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art

Curiosity Kids: It's ALIVE...or not? at State Museum of Pennsylvania

Join Curiosity Kids to explore living and non-living things. What is the difference and what do living things need to survive? Test you knowledge with a fun game following the presentation.

2026 Kids of STEEL Fest

Join us at KIDS OF STEEL FEST! It's a fun Fitness Adventure!

Eggstravaganza - National Aviary

Hop on over to the National Aviary for a spring celebration! You’ll have an egg-cellent time exploring the Aviary’s immersive habitats on a themed scavenger hunt. Experience a fun and engaging story time, get crafty, and so much more!

Spring Flower Show: True Colors - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Soak up beautiful blooms and fantastic fragrance! Each room celebrates the iconic essence of Phipps in this year’s Spring Flower Show. Since 1894, Phipps’ Spring Flower Show has provided Pittsburgh with a burst of color and fragrance after a long winter. This year’s Spring Flower Show: True Colors shows off some of our most colorful displays while celebrating the role Phipps has had in the lives of generations of guests.

March Morley Madness - Johnstown Children's Museum

Visit The Johnstown Children's Museum for a great scavenger hunt!

Camp Invention 2026

The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, March 27, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, March 27, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 27, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Big Kid Play Day - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 27, 2026, 2:45 - 3:45 pm
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
2026 Kids of STEEL Fest - Robert Morris University Island Sports Center, Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9-11:00 AM
Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Pittsburgh area - Shoott, See link for times
Celebrate Earth Day-Meridian Waste Children’s Coloring Contest (Contest entry ends April 13) - Submit your artwork online., Any time.

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 3/19/2026: Discomfort Zone

2026-03-19T06:02:08-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 19, 2026

Easter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 28: Eggstravaganza - National Aviary
Sun, Mar 29: Bunnys Breakfast Bash at Dave & Buster's Homestead
Thu, Apr 2: The Wizard of Oz at Little Lake Theatre Company
Fri, Apr 10: Spring Mix at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Sat, Apr 18: Dinah Day Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom at Black Writers Museum
Sat, Apr 25: Reading is Freedom Festival at Black Writers Museum

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes.

I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.”

Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy.

That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts.

Growth rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page.

These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ Mylan Park

We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!

The 2026 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity and innovation that thrives on the edge of mainstream culture. As part of a global tradition of Fringe Festivals, it serves as an open platform for artists, performers, and audiences to connect through diverse and boundary-pushing art forms.

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library

Children 0-5 can explore a variety of stations on their own time. Possible stations include sensory baskets, ball pit, water table, light table, Kinetic sand, Playdoh, seasonal sensory bins, and more! No registration necessary, just come to the program room to join the fun!

Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art

Teen Sensory Friendly Silent Disco - The Andy Warhol Museum

Put on your most comfortable party outfit and join our welcoming staff for a sensory friendly evening of dancing, socializing, and artmaking. This event is planned specifically to support the enjoyment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and those with sensory sensitivities.

Storytime: Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket" by Sue Fliess at State Museum of Pennsylvania

Join us a for a Storytime reading of Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by author Sue Fliess. During the program participants will learn about the planets of the solar system and get to create an image of a spaceship rocketing to the planet of their choice.

Easter Egg Hunt!

It's time for the BWCC Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Join us on Saturday, March 21, from 4pm - 6pm for egg-cellent family fun.

Nighttime Owl Prowl - Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Venture with us along the dark paths to discover and learn about the owls that reside in and around the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Join Shane Miller, Environmental Education Specialist with the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources in a guided walk through the Garden’s woodlands. With luck along this 1-mile hike, we will hear and maybe see one of these unique and majestic creatures of the night. And who knows what other wonders we might discover!

NatureFest - Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Explore the vibrant voices of the natural world at our second annual NatureFest! From animal communication and natural soundscapes, to human-made instruments crafted from natural materials, this one-day celebration invites you to tune in to nature with the expertise of our scientists, educators, musicians, and community partners. Browse the full schedule below and plan your day. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day out or a deep dive into the science of sound, NatureFest offers activities for curious explorers of all ages.

Memory & Logic at State Museum of Pennsylvania

Come and learn about Memory and Logic. Explore how to use and improve your memory and logic skills through a series of self-guided games. How good is your memory? Can you solve the puzzle? Give it a try! Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages.

Breakfast or Lunch Easter Bunny at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector

Fresh from Broadway (though detoured from DC – Google it ), this all too timely, bitingly funny comedy takes place during several board meetings at an ultra-progressive California school proud of its inclusivity and commitment to consensus – at least until a mumps outbreak reveals varying views (like, everyone’s) on vaccination. In “one of the funniest plays to open [all] year” (The New York Times) parents dance the line of advocating for their children while trying not to offend...anyone.

March Open Play at Live, Laugh, Play, & Learn LLC

Welcome to a world of fun and imagination! Our Open Play sessions at Live, Laugh, Play, & Learn offer children the perfect environment to explore, create, and socialize. With a variety of engaginf activites and interactive play areas, kids can let their creativity run wild while developing essential social and motor skills.

Camp Invention 2026

Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library – 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library – Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Drop-In Beading – Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art – 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library – Baldwin Borough Public Library, Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Pittsburgh area – Saturday, March 21, 2026, See link for times
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art – 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
Children's Studio: Geometric Design - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art – 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm
Easter Egg Hunt! – 4836 Wexford Run Road, Bradford Woods, PA, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter- March 2026

2026-03-17T12:20:03-04:00

Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh Area

Arts, Crafts, & Cooking Camps

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter

March 17, 2026

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Here at KidsOutAndAbout.com, we love promoting summer camps as a way for kids to learn, expand their friendship circles, and have fun without the pressure of grades or consequences. Local summer camps have pulled out all the stops to ensure your kids have a great time.

After getting inspired by the camp descriptions below with programs for preschoolers through teens, head over to our Week by Week Guide to Summer Camps and what's been posted so far for 2026. Bookmark that main portal page to get where you need to go quickly to search by date or subject. New camps are being added constantly, so check back frequently.

I hope you enjoy our special-edition camp newsletter, and that you forward it to your friends who may also be shopping for summer camps. We'll be back with your regularly-scheduled weekly newsletter on Thursday!

—Debra Ross, publisher

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

Summer camps 2026: week by week

Week of June 7, 2026

Week of June 14, 2026

Week of June 21, 2026

Week of June 28, 2026

Week of July 5, 2026

Week of July 12, 2026

Week of July 19, 2026

Week of July 26, 2026

Week of August 2, 2026

Week of August 9, 2026

Week of August 16, 2026

Week of August 23, 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Find summer programs by subject!

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Music Camps

Theater & Drama Camps

Dance Camps

Sports Camps

STEM, Nature, History, & Culture Camps

Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Camps for Preschoolers

Religious & Vacation Bible Camps

FEATURED LOCAL CAMPS

Summer Camp at Art in Motion Pittsburgh

CAMP FITCH YMCA - Making Kids Better, Forever!

Camp Fitch YMCA is a Great Camp on a Great Lake, with over 100 years of changing young lives. Located on 425 scenic acres along Lake Erie, we welcome campers ages 6–17 into a place to unplug, explore, and grow. Guided by caring staff, campers build Friendship, experience Achievement, and feel a true sense of Belonging (FAB). These moments spark confidence, resilience, and independence that last far beyond summer. Families return year after year for the counselors, community, and unforgettable experiences. Campers enjoy rock climbing, archery, canoeing, crafts, mountain biking, and exclusive Lake Erie waterfront time. Overnight sessions run weekly from June 14–August 1. Discover a summer they’ll never forget!

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh CAMPS

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh offers half and full day camps in the winter and spring for kids ages 5–9. Day camps are available on days when many schools are closed throughout the year. Our camps take full advantage of our award-winning exhibits, art studio, maker space and garden, as well as Buhl Community Park. Camps fill up quickly, so visit https://pittsburghkids.org/camps/to learn more and register.

La Escuelita: K-4 STEM & Spanish Summer Camp

Join La Escuelita Summer Camp, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, for an enriching summer full of learning and adventure! Designed for children entering 1st through 4th grade, campers will strengthen their Spanish language skills while exploring STEM concepts through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration in Frick Park. Choose from 3- or 5-day weeks, for up to 7 weeks, running June 15–July 31st, 9 AM–4 PM. Our program combines education, creativity, and outdoor fun to keep kids engaged all summer long. Scholarships are available to help make this experience accessible to all. Learn more and register at https://www.spanishleap.com/our-programs

Little Farmers Day Camp

RMU Men's Basketball is announcing our Summer Boys Basketball Day Camps!

Day Camp 1 will run June 22-25 for boys entering grades 2nd - 9th. Day Camp 2 will run July 20-23 for boys entering grades 2nd - 9th. These camps are designed to provide campers with skill development and instruction directly from the RMU coaching staff and players, all within RMU Basketball facilities. Campers will have opportunities to compete in drills, work as a team in 5-on-5 competitions, and win contest prizes. Each camper will receive a T-Shirt and Basketball. Campers registering for BOTH camps can use the discount code “BOTHCAMPS” for a $100 Discount on Day Camp 2.

Romp n' Roll Pittsburgh

Summer Culinary Camp at Young Chefs Academy!

Teen Camps that Broaden Minds and Inspiring Innovation

Teens! Looking for a unique summer camp? Luminari’s I Want to be an Ambassador! is designed to teach, demonstrate and practice the skills of an Ambassador! Discover different cultures, talk with government and business leaders, garner an understanding of body cues and language, share culturally diverse meals and prepare for your engagement with actual diplomats on a trip to the embassies in Washington D.C. Music Makers where teens will experience all aspects of the music business from writing, producing, engineering, recording, distributing, and marketing a record. Camp Delicious where campers, guided by of some of Pittsburgh’s most notable chefs, will gain the skills and confidence necessary to create meals, discover new flavors and gain independence in the kitchen.

Camp Invention 2026

iD Tech Camps

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Pittsford NY 14534
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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 3/12/2026: We Fill Potholes

2026-03-12T06:02:27-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 12, 2026

Easter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Thu, Mar 19: The 2026 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival
Fri, Mar 20: Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ Mylan Park
Sun, Mar 22: Library Egg Hunt Extravaganza at Pleasant Hills Public Library
Fri, Mar 27: Curiosity Kids: It's ALIVE...or not? at State Museum of Pennsylvania
Sat, Mar 28: Breakfast or Lunch Easter Bunny at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Thu, Apr 2: The Wizard of Oz at Little Lake Theatre Company
Fri, Apr 10: Spring Mix at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Sat, Apr 18: Annual Hammer-In Festival at Rivers of Steel Heritage

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the Crater.

But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again.

I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department, is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space.

The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back.

So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads.

Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Is Your Child Water-Ready? Discover Why Pittsburgh Parents Are Talking About Goldfish Swim School®

As a parent, nothing matters more than your child’s safety — especially around water. Pool days, beach vacations, and backyard parties should be filled with fun, not fear. That’s why Pittsburgh families vote Goldfish Swim School Best Swim Lessons year after year. Goldfish offers engaging, effective swim lessons designed specifically for children ages 4 months to 12 years old.

Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art

Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Fall in love with endless beauty as new displays highlight Phipps' incredible orchid collection and classically trained bonsai. The beautiful gardens of Phipps provide the perfect warm escape from Pittsburgh's winter chill! You’ll be captivated by romantic displays in this year’s Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love. Gorgeous displays featuring an array of beautiful orchids and fascinating bonsai fill the glasshouse. Join us to celebrate love while immersing yourself in ephemeral and entrancing nature. You’re sure to leave with your heart feeling warm!

Spring Break at Mines and Meadows - Mines and Meadows

Get ready for an unforgettable week of fun, thrills, and nonstop excitement at Mines & Meadows — one of our most loved first events of the year! This Spring Break, it’s your time to RIDE for the chance to WIN BIG!

Sensory Friendly Hours - Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

You are invited to join us for the very first Sensory Friendly Hours event at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum! Explore the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in a sensory modified setting with quieter streetcars, lowered exhibit sounds, and soft lighting. Advanced registration is not required for this event. Tickets will be available at our regular admission prices.

Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2026

Lace up your sneakers, put on your green, and get ready to MOVE! The Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade is excited to announce we are partnering with P3R for the inaugural Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash Presented by GNC, a vibrant and family-friendly celebration happening on March 14, 2026, just before the 10 a.m. start of Pittsburgh’s iconic America’s Grand St. Patrick’s Day Event.

Shamrock Showdown at Oglebay

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Oglebay Park Resort with Celtic flavors, live music, fun contests, and the spirited tradition of Irish road bowling in a lively weekend setting in Wheeling, WV.

Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash

Lace up your sneakers, put on your green, and get ready to MOVE! P3R invites you to join us for the second annual Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash Presented by GNC, a vibrant and family-friendly celebration happening on March 14, just before the start of Pittsburgh’s iconic America’s Grand St. Patrick’s Day Event!

International Day of Action for Rivers at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium!

How can we help improve the health of Pittsburgh’s beloved rivers and their ecosystems? Join us on Saturday, March 14, to celebrate the International Day of Action for Rivers with ideas and activities!

St. Patrick’s Day at Dragon’s Den Luck of the Dragons Adventure Day at Dragon's Den

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a high-energy experience that blends adventure, teamwork, and festive fun. Participants will take on themed ropes course challenges, complete lucky checkpoints, and hunt for hidden treasure throughout Dragon’s Den. Perfect for families, friends, scout groups, and anyone looking for an active, memorable way to celebrate the holiday beyond the usual festivities.

Latodami Presentation: Maple Syrup Making

Learn the history of maple syrup making in Pennsylvania before heading outside to discover how to identify and tap maple trees then collect and boil down the sap to make table-ready syrup using homestyle methods.

March Open Play at Live, Laugh, Play, & Learn LLC

The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum

Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 13, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, March 13, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Drop-In Watercolor Painting - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 13, 2026, 2:45-3:45pm
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
Teen Club - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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Pittsford NY 14534
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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 3/5/2026: Remember the Rocks

2026-03-05T06:02:41-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 5, 2026

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 14: BSA Robotics (New!) at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Thu, Mar 19: The 2026 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival
Sat, Mar 21: Teen Sensory Friendly Silent Disco at The Andy Warhol Museum
Sun, Mar 22: Journey Back to Oz at Gemini Children's Theatre
Wed, Mar 25: Signs of Spring - Leaves at State Museum of Pennsylvania
Sat, Mar 28: Eggstravaganza at National Aviary
Sat, Apr 4: Vintage Pittsburgh at Heinz History Center
Fri, Apr 10: Spring Mix at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Sat, Apr 18: Dinah Day Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom at Black Writers Museum

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember the rocks.”

Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared.

As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things.

It’s tempting to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t need to manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage.

The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my mentor and remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Is Your Child Water-Ready? Discover Why Pittsburgh Parents Are Talking About Goldfish Swim School®

Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art

Storytime: Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket" by Sue Fliess at State Museum of Pennsylvania

The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library

Memory & Logic at State Museum of Pennsylvania

Presidents' Day Deal - Mines and Meadows

Get ready for an unforgettable week of fun, thrills, and nonstop excitement at Mines & Meadows — one of our most loved first events of the year!

Kids of STEEL Youngest MOVERS Play Day with KidStrong North Hills

A FREE, fun-filled movement experience for our youngest athletes and their families!

Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art

Story Saturday is a monthly story time that takes place in Extraordinary Ordinary Things, our decorative arts and design collection galleries. Each month, assistant curator Alyssa Velazquez will read a different children’s book. After the story, Jena Schieb, manager of youth programs, will lead an art-making activity designed for children ages 12 and under.

Reenactor & Colonial Market - Braddock's Battlefield History Center

Braddock's Battlefield History Center will welcome reenactment groups and sutlers for a recruiting and market weekend on March 7th and 8th! This is a great opportunity to meet, learn, and buy! Discover more about reenacting and the living history groups in our region. Find out what it is like to be a part of one of these groups and what it takes to join. Visit our sutlers and purchase time period accurate items for your new favorite hobby or over your hearth!

Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Camp Invention 2026

iD Tech Camps

Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - Andrew Bayne Memorial Library, 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, March 6, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2026, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library, Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Drop-In Beading - Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, March 6, 2026, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
Kids of STEEL Youngest MOVERS Play Day with KidStrong North Hills - KidStrong North Hills - KidStrong North Hills, 3120 McIntyre Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around Pittsburgh

Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Pittsburgh area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the schools.

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around Pittsburgh

Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 2/26/2026: Optimism Actually

2026-02-26T06:02:39-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
February 26, 2026

Local Preschools, Day Care, and Toddler Programs

Master Guide to Winter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Fri, Feb 27: The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum
Sat, Mar 14: St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 at Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh
Sat, Mar 21: Children’s Studio: Geometric Design at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Wed, Mar 25: Signs of Spring at State Museum of Pennsylvania
Sat, Mar 28: Eggstravaganza at National Aviary
Sat, Apr 4: Vintage Pittsburgh at Heinz History Center
Sat, Apr 11: Children’s Studio: We Love BEES! - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate.

Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon.

My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter.

While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Is Your Child Water-Ready? Discover Why Pittsburgh Parents Are Talking About Goldfish Swim School®

The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum

Curiosity Kids: Size and Scale of the Solar System at State Museum of Pennsylvania

Join Curiosity Kids at 11:30AM in the 1st Floor Activity Room to explore the size and scale of our Solar System. Ever wonder exactly how big the Sun, Earth, and Moon are? How far away are they? Explore how big our Solar System is. The size and distances might surprise you. Create a scale map of the solar system.

Kitty Bingo - Kitty Queen Cat Rescue

KITTY BINGO – a charity event you don’t want to miss! Seating starts at 7:05, first ball drops at 7:30! Arrivals before our 7:00 PM lounge closing time may be subject to a $5.00 lounge entry fee.

Variety Show at South Park Theatre

Enjoy two entertaining evenings of performances by students between the ages of 6 to 18. These students will display their talents including singing, dancing, magic acts, acting performance, gymnastics, and more! Tickets are $4 general admission sold at the door. There will be one, 15 minute intermission and concessions will be sold in the lobby. Raffle baskets geared to kids and adults will be raffled after each show. All proceeds benefit the Children's Theatre program.

Young Washington with the Pittsburgh CLO - Heinz History Center

Join the Pittsburgh CLO for a performance of “Young Washington.” Experience revolutionary history like never before during a performance of the musical, “Young Washington.” Follow the story of a young George Washington as he journeys through Western Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War, then stick around for a Q&A with the CLO cast and a museum educator-led tour of the Clash of Empires exhibition. Kids and families can keep the adventure going with a “George Washington Was Here” scavenger hunt throughout the museum.

Maple Magic The Sweet Science of Maple Sugaring at Fern Hollow Nature Center

Join Fern Hollow staff as we learn about the history and science of maple sugaring! Discover how the process of Maple Sugaring has changed over time and has been perfected into a science. This program is intended for all ages, but youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This program blends American history, botany, chemistry, and physics into a fun, hands-on, and tasty experience. Try Fern Hollow’s exclusive “Sugar Maker’s Sundae” and spend the morning learning the importance of maple trees in Pennsylvania.

Annie - Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Leapin' Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals! Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, including “Tomorrow,” “Easy Street,” and “Hard Knock Life.” With courage and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Determined to find her long-lost parents and get out of the orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, Annie's adventures lead her to a new life with billionaire Oliver Warbucks and of course her lovable dog, Sandy.

Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library

Join us for our Kids’ Winter Reading program! Kids ages 0-18 years can sign up beginning 1/5 and the program runs until 3/21. Read 10 chapter books or 50 picture books and receive a free scoop of ice cream from Scoops in Bellevue!

Winter Dance Concert - Conservatory of Performing Arts

The Conservatory Dance Company presents a winter concert featuring a diverse range of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary works choreographed by renowned guest artists and dance professionals. Winter Dance showcases work by Al Blackstone (Jazz), Roderick George (Contemporary), Dwight Rhoden (Ballet), and Kenichi Kasamatsu (Hip Hop).

Free Kid February - Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Kids visit for free in February 2026! Thanks to our event sponsor, the Alex E. Paris Contracting Company, we’re offering free admission in February 2026 to kids ages 0-17. Enjoy a scenic 4-mile round-trip ride on an antique trolley, discover our collection of historic streetcars in our Trolley Display Building, and explore our interactive games and exhibits in our Welcome & Education Center. Also, dive into trolley history with a guided tour, check out all the cool books, toys, and collectibles in our museum gift shop, and, if the sun is shining, enjoy our Barry Stout Park and playground.

Camp Invention 2026

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh, PA area

Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - Andrew Bayne Memorial Library, 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, February 27 - Sunday, March 1, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 27, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Baldwin Borough Public Library, Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, February 27, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, February 27, 10 am - 1 pm
Drop-In Beading - Pleasant Hills Public Library, Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 27, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, February 28, 10 am - 5 pm
Fizz, Fun, and Formulas - Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, 503 Martindale Street Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, Saturday, February 28

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around Pittsburgh

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around Pittsburgh

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 2/19/2026: Coming Clean

2026-02-19T06:02:46-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
February 19, 2026

Local Preschools, Day Care, and Toddler Programs

Master Guide to Winter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Fri, Feb 20: Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ The Cabaruss Arena and Convention Center
Wed, Feb 25: Winter Dance Concert - Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse
Fri, Feb 27: Curiosity Kids: Size and Scale of the Solar System at State Museum of Pennsylvania
Sat, Mar 7: Presidents' Day Deal at Mines and Meadows
Sun, Mar 8: Kids of STEEL Youngest MOVERS Play Day with KidStrong North Hills
Sat, Mar 14: BSA Robotics (New!) at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Sat, Mar 28: Spring Kids' Vendor Show at Live, Laugh, Play, & Learn LLC

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING.

The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara. "Looks like we need a do-over," I said. "Try again."

In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific survey, 100% of the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once.

See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful thinking. You might think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly.

Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If they see early that mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen.

So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest Live @ The Cabaruss Arena and Convention Center

We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!

Lunar New Year Celebration at Cooper-Siegel Community Library

Celebrate and learn about the Lunar New Year! This annual celebration organized by the Asian community of the Fox Chapel area features a wide variety of different festival activities. This year's presentations are still being finalized, but previous year's have included: traditional Chinese instruments by Jin Se Chinese Zither Ensemble, taekwondo performed by the Young Brothers Taekwondo School students, a dragon parade, storytelling, crafts, as well as treats and gifts.

Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Children’s Studio: Pop! Snow People - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art

Create a Pop style painting of Pop style people in a seriously snowy scenario.

Lunar New Year at Phipps

Celebrate the year of the horse at Phipps Conservatory!Empty heading On Sat., Feb. 21, Phipps Conservatory and The CASTP Organization are proud to present the 29th Lunar New Year celebration, all under Phipps' historic glasshouse! This event will host a variety of food and craft vendors, unique performances and educational resources to learn more about this beloved Chinese celebration. Plus, guests can also experience the lovely Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love during the celebration

The Factory - The Andy Warhol Museum

Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art

Storytime at the Museum - Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Join us for Storytime at the Museum! Hear nature and science stories read by our Natural History Interpreters and get a chance to touch museum specimens. Stop by for one page, one book, or stay for the whole time. Meets at the bench in the entrance of the Kamin Hall of Dinosaurs. Registration is not required.

Family- Friendly Bingo - Bradford Woods Community Church

Family Friendly Bingo for all ages with great prizes! No entrance fee. Join us for family-friendly BINGO! Sunday, February 22 from 3pm - 5pm. NO ENTRANCE FEE! You buy your own bingo cards which are affordably priced at $2.00 for one card, and $5.00 for three cards. As for the prizes? We've got that covered! Pens hockey tickets, family board games, gift cards ....we even have prizes for your littles so EVERYONE can feel included. There will concessions for sale and a 50/50 raffle to add to the fun.

Kids Winter Reading 2026 at Andrew Bayne Memorial Library - 34 North Balph Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sensory Playtime at Pleasant Hills Public Library - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Drop-In Beading - Old Clairton Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Friday, February 20, 2026, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Carnegie Lab at Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
Lunar New Year Celebration at Cooper-Siegel Community Library - 403 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, Friday, February 20, 2026, 5 - 7:30 pm
Little Bookworms at Baldwin Library - Wolfe Drive, Pleasant Hills, PA, Friday, February 20, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Playdate at the Library - Carnegie Library of Allegheny - 1230 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA, Monday, February 22, 2026, 10:30 - 11 am
Family-Friendly Bingo - Bradford Woods Community Church - 4836 Wexford Run Road, Bradford Woods, PA, Monday, February 22, 2026, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Auditions for Beauty and the Beast Ballet - 500 Chestnut Street, Carnegie, PA 15106, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 3:00pm
Open House - Fox Hill Preschool - West Chapel Ridge Road, Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
Children's Studio: Pop! Snow People - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art - 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm
Story Saturdays at Carnegie Museum of Art - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around Pittsburgh

Escape Rooms in and around Pittsburgh

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around Pittsburgh

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter- Feb 2026

2026-02-16T10:03:17-05:00

Summer Camps in the Pittsburgh Area

Arts, Crafts, & Cooking Camps

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter

February 16, 2026

—Debra Ross, publisher

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

Summer camps 2026: week by week

Week of June 7, 2026

Week of June 14, 2026

Week of June 21, 2026

Week of June 28, 2026

Week of July 5, 2026

Week of July 12, 2026

Week of July 19, 2026

Week of July 26, 2026

Week of August 2, 2026

Week of August 9, 2026

Week of August 16, 2026

Week of August 23, 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Find summer programs by subject!

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Music Camps

Theater & Drama Camps

Dance Camps

Sports Camps

STEM, Nature, History, & Culture Camps

Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Camps for Preschoolers

Religious & Vacation Bible Camps

FEATURED LOCAL CAMPS

Summer Camp at Art in Motion Pittsburgh

CAMP FITCH YMCA - Making Kids Better, Forever!

Join La Escuelita for our week-to-week Summer Camp!

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh CAMPS

All American Baseball Center

Whether you are new to AABC or a seasoned veteran these programs consist of teaching fundamentals, speed & agility training, and proper muscle memory through tons and tons of repetition. All American Camps and Clinics Series is designed to help not only our players, but any player build a better understanding of the game of baseball. Our coaches provide valuable lessons and skills during these camps and clinics to help better the athlete both on and off the field. These camps and clincs are a great way to grow as an athlete while also having fun.

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve

Our mission: To inspire and educate the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to be respectful and responsible stewards of the natural world. Our summer day camps balance exploration, nature play, and learning with games, crafts, science activities—and time to be a kid. Camps take place at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve (Fox Chapel), Succop Nature Park (Butler), and Buffalo Creek Nature Park (Sarver).

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth and families. Permanent hands-on, interactive exhibit areas include The Studio, Garage, Waterplay, Kindness Gallery, Backyard and MAKESHOP®. Summer camps at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab let kids explore art, making, nature, game design, metalworking and a variety of other topics in a developmentally appropriate way on the largest campus for children in the country.

Dots and Doodles

Dots and Doodles is an art studio offering classes, workshops, parties, pottery and more! All ages are encouraged to create at our studio. We put the ART in pARTy! Interested in a birthday celebration or an artistic get together with friends - we customize the celebration just for you! Dots and Doodles is a full service art studio offering open studio, birthday parties, workshops, classes, camps and more! Drop in to Open Studio for canvas painting or paint your own pottery, sign up for a workshop and learn something new or celebrate with us at a pARTy! Summer is one of our FAVORITE times of year. We love making art, getting to know your kiddos, and spending a few days in a row at the studio.

Gemini Children's Theatre

The mission of Gemini Theater Company is to cultivate creativity, imagination and originality through the performing arts. With almost 25 years of programming in the Pittsburgh area, Gemini Theater provides families with children and teens a variety of experiences to participate in shows and education programs, emphasizing an environment of inclusion, equality, respect, and IMAGINATION! Creative Fun! Our 5-day workshops provide hands-on experience in a real theater. Under the guidance of theater professionals, each group creates, writes, produces, and performs their show on the last day.

Art in Motion Pittsburgh

Art in Motion Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh based dance studio bringing wellness, joy and inclusivity to kids and adults through dance since 2016! Our Community Arts Camp incorporates movement and dance, and engaging crafts, outdoor time and field visits to local artist/ makers in the Sharpsburg Community.

Camp Invention 2026

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

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Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Pittsburgh Newsletter 2/12/2026: February Gray

2026-02-12T06:02:17-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

Pittsburgh KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
February 12, 2026

Local Preschools, Day Care, and Toddler Programs

Master Guide to Winter Fun