While it may be time to put away the green hats and shamrock glasses until next year, this weekend is still shaping up to be just as fun as last. Across the city, organizations, libraries and businesses are brimming with things for families to do at every price (and many free events!) and for every age range.
Don’t miss our Big New Spring Guide that’s blooming with options. And check out this list of 10 things to keep your family busy this weekend, too:
Friday, March 20: Tiny Art Canvas Painting at Penn Hills Library, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Create the smallest of creations with big ideas. Students will use different materials to design tiny art together to put on display. This free event is designed for grades K through 5th. Please register at the link here or by calling the library at 412-775-4700.
Friday, March 20: Community Forge Open Mic Night presents Uplifting Youth Performers, 8 p.m.
This month, Community Forge’s open mic is centered on uplifting youth performers. They will be creating space for youth performers from across the region to take their talents to the stage. Calling students from YMCA Lighthouse, Hope Academy, Alumni Theater Company, Center of Life, Dream of Hope and more to the stage, this free event is perfect for middle and high schoolers. Find more info and register here.
Saturday, March 21: Weekend Mom Walk and Playdate in Highland Park, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Join The Mom Walk Collective Pittsburgh for a weekend mom walk in Highland Park to welcome in the first day of spring. This much-anticipated return to one of the group’s favorite walk location is finally here. Guests will meet at the fountain, just inside the main park entrance, to check-in and mingle with other moms. The group will then head out for a walk along the Reservoir Drive, looping back to the starting location. Stick around after the walk for some playtime at the Super Playground. All walk events are free and open to all moms and their children, but registration is required. To register, click here, create a profile, follow the community page by searching “Pittsburgh PA,” then register for the walk.
Saturday, March 21: Mark Fatla presents Pittsburgh’s Historic Stadiums and Arenas, 11 a.m.
Come out to the South Side location of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to hear from local author Mark Fatla. Guests will learn about the history of pro football, hockey and basketball venues in Pittsburgh, from late 1800’s to present. This event is free, and no registration is required.
Courtesy of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Saturday, March 21: Music Story Time with You Be Music at B is for Books, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Georgia English and You Be You Music return to B is for Books this weekend for a special music story time. Many songs will be sung, snacks will be eaten, and crafts will be crafted! Show up at 11 a.m., because Georgia will start performing promptly at 11:30. As always, the events (and books!) at B is for books is free and open to the public. Find more info right here.
Reading Ready Pittsburgh’s welcoming store, B is for Books.
Saturday, March 21: Mad Science presents Movie Effects at CLP Hazelwood, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
This free Movie Effects workshop gives children a chance to sit in the director’s chair and discover why science is the real star on the big screen. Children discover the science behind the effects from their favorite movies and investigate 3-D technology. Motion pictures come alive with a spinning praxinoscope, too. This free event is designed for kids in grades K through 5. Find more details here.
Saturday, March 21: Puppets, Puppets Everywhere: The Evolution of Fred Rogers’ Television Career at the Latrobe Art Center, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Fred Rogers Scholars of Saint Vincent College welcome you to their annual exhibit, “Puppets, Puppets Everywhere: The Evolution of Fred Rogers’ Television Career” at the Latrobe Art Center. This free and open-to-the-public event, sponsored by the Be My Neighbor Committee, will include a curated exhibit focusing on Fred Rogers’ start in television on the children’s show “The Children’s Corner,” as well as his use of puppetry to foster communication and creativity in children. Hear directly from Fred Rogers Scholars as they discuss their selection process and the story behind each piece. In addition, this afternoon will also include several children’s activities, such as decorating Daniel Tiger masks and creating their own puppets! This exhibit will be on display for a month at the Latrobe Art Center. Find more details here.
Courtesy of the Heinz History Center. Fred Rogers sits in a chair at the head of a circle of laughing children in a classroom at Mesa Elementary School.
Saturday, March 21: Owl Prowl at the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join Shane Miller, Environmental Education Specialist with the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, in a guided walk through the garden’s woodlands. You’ll venture along the dark paths to discover and learn about the owls that reside in and around the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Along this one-mile hike, guests will hear and maybe see one of these unique and majestic creatures of the night. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. This event is rain or shine. Accompanied children ages 8 and up must have the ability to hike a mile, stand still and be very quiet. The cost is $15-$25 and advanced tickets are required.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22: Bunny Photos at the Waterfront, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hippity-hop to The Waterfront for visits and photos with the Bunny on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from March 21 through April 1. Saturdays and Sundays are from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The bunny’s helpers will print one digital copy of your best Bunny visit photo for you to take home, and will also email all your digital images to you within a couple of days. The Bunny is located in Town Center, next to The Children’s Place. A $5 fee (per family or group) benefiting Jeremiah’s Place is required to ensure your reservation. Find more info here.
Courtesy of The Waterfront.
Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22: Found Object Printmaking Workshop at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
MuseumLab, the Children’s Museum’s space for big kids, is back this weekend with four 90-minute sessions of a creative workshop designed for kids 9 and up. Guests will create one-of-a kind prints using found objects and reusable Gelli plates. The cost of the session is $15. Choose your time slot and sign up right here.
Looking for more family fun as the weather breaks? We’ve got all the guides to hiking, camps, pools and more. Sign up for the Kidsburgh newsletter here.