Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Pittsburgh
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2023 list of winners for the Pittsburgh area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page.
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1. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium strives to foster positive, lifelong connections between animals and people. Whether through our exhibits, educational programs, or our many conservation projects, our goal is to make certain the Earth remains a suitable home for all life by our discovery of the interconnectedness of the natural world.
2. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a place that delights and inspires children, where they can take off on fantastic flights of imagination daily, and return to earth to splash in a river, hammer a nail and design a puppet. From toddlers to teens, the Children's Museum offers innovative experiences for all families and children. Purchase tickets and learn more at https://pittsburghkids.org/
3. Kennywood Amusement Park
Kennywood is America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park! Located just outside Pittsburgh, PA, Kennywood offers a unique mix of classic rides and modern thrills, including six roller coasters, a 14-ride Kiddieland, and several attractions that cannot be found anywhere else.
5. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Pittsburgh area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
7. Carnegie Museum of Natural History
To use our collections and scientific expertise to create knowledge that inspires an understanding of natural heritage, communicate the unity and interdependence of humanity and nature, and advocate for the protection of the earth and its inhabitants, while encouraging participation in the natural sciences.
8. Idlewild & SoakZone
With something for everyone, Idlewild & SoakZone is rated the Best Kids Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine, and rated Best Park for Families by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. With two parks in one, this is what family fun is all about!
9. National Aviary
The National Aviary is America’s premier bird zoo. Located on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, the National Aviary’s diverse collection comprises more than 500 birds of 150 different species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary’s large walk-through exhibits create an experience unlike any other – an intimate interaction between visitors and free-flying birds, including opportunities to handfeed and meet many species rarely found in zoos anywhere else in the world.
10. The Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library
A volunteer-run cooperative playspace and toy library, promoting early childhood development through play. We currently have public drop-in play sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Members have access to our toy library and additional members-only play sessions.
11. Heinz History Center
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. The 275,000 sq. ft. museum features six floors of long-term and changing exhibit space, including the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
12. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Explore the beauty and wonders of nature at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens, Phipps features stunning seasonal flower shows, exclusive art exhibits, renowned orchid and bonsai collections, a delightful butterfly house, immersive Tropical Forest and some of the greenest buildings in the world. Located in Schenley Park just a few miles from downtown Pittsburgh. Learn more and plan your visit at phipps.conservatory.org.
13. Sandcastle Water Park
Sandcastle is Pittsburgh’s favorite destination for refreshing water fun! Open since 1989, this park spans 60-acres and offers over a dozen different water slides with varying speeds and angles of descent for thrill seekers of all levels. If you prefer to stay dry, take a leisurely stroll on the Boardwalk where you can enjoy your summer food favorites.
14. Bradford House Museum
This National Historic Landmark home was built in 1788 by David Bradford, a leader of the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. The House is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10AM - 4PM from April through November for docent-led tours. It is the centerpiece of the Bradford House Historical Association’s campus, which also includes the Whiskey Rebellion Education & Visitor Center and the Meeting House. BHHA sponsors the annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival on the second Saturday of July in downtown Washington PA and hosts a summer day camp, a Symposium and other events throughout the year.
15. MuseumLab
MuseumLab™ is a museum for older kids, where they can experiment with art, technology and more. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh created Museum Lab as a place where kids 10+ can have cutting-edge experiences in art, tech and learning. It’s just the thing for their inquiring minds, increasing skills and independent inclinations. Museum Lab is about experimenting and learning alongside our partner organizations that are helping us create programs for Museum Lab, including Manchester Academic Charter School.
16. Buhl Planetarium and Observatory
The Buhl Observatory is a 10 foot dome located on the rooftop at Carnegie Science Center housing a 16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. It is used in our public SkyWatch sessions to observe stars, planets, nebulae and more! Check our website for session dates and times.
17. Romp N' Roll
Romp n' Roll is a kids gym offering fun and educational gym, art, and music classes for children through age 5. We also offer Camps, Kids Night Out, and amazing birthday parties!
19. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden offers family friendly activities, spaces for solitude and endless natural beauty. Families and children can explore 65 acres of display gardens, such as Garden of the Five Senses, woodlands, and art exhibitions. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden also offers a full schedule of educational programming, wellness programs, and exciting community events
20. Gemini Theater Company
The mission of Gemini Theater Company is to cultivate creativity, imagination and originality through the performing arts. We have been providing theater arts programming in the Pittsburgh area for over 25 years! Gemini Theater provides families with children and teens a variety of experiences to participate in shows and education programs, emphasizing an environment of inclusion, equity, respect, and IMAGINATION! From our interactive performances to our theater workshops and classes, there is something for almost ANY child or teen who has an interest in the theatre arts. Is everybody ready?
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Cynthia's School of Dance & Music
Cynthia’s School of Dance & Music was founded in 1988. Our mission as dance and music educators is to build confidence in the lives of young children, teens and adults through Dance, Music, Fun and Laughter in a Positive Environment. We offer classes for ages 2 – Adult in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, Musical Theater, Piano and Voice. The Senate of PA recognized Cynthia’s at the 30th Anniversary celebration as an entity which, through adherence to the highest standards of service, contribute in a meaningful way toward a better and more productive society. Call for current schedule at 412-367-3330, www.cynthiasschoolofdance.com and visit us on FB.
Top Sports Educator: Gymkhana Gymnastics Schools.
Pittsburgh's Premier Gymnastics Facilities. With four locations around Pittsburgh, we provide high quality gymnastics fun for all ages and skill levels. Locations in Point Breeze, Bethel Park, Monroeville/Plum, and Wexford.
Top STEM Educator: The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium strives to foster positive, lifelong connections between animals and people. Whether through our exhibits, educational programs, or our many conservation projects, our goal is to make certain the Earth remains a suitable home for all life by our discovery of the interconnectedness of the natural world.
