Best Parent-Child Activities Near Pittsburgh
With plenty of things to do for both adults and children alike, it's fitting that Pittsburgh also has plenty of options for activities adults and children can do together--and parent-child activities can be extremely beneficial. Whether you're looking for an educational experience for your child or a fun way to spend some time with him or her. From mommy-and-me classes to museum sleepovers, here are some of the best parent-child activities in the city that fit easily into a busy family schedule. Have fun!
Schoolhouse Yoga
2215 Murray Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 401-4444
www.schoolhouseyoga.com
Mommy-and-me yoga classes are perhaps one of the most well-known parent-child activities, especially when it comes to a class. You can start the parent-child activity early with their Prenatal class, or have kids from newborns up to three join you for yoga. Schoolhouse Yoga's class specifically has new moms in mind, aiming to help them "regain strength and flexibility (and sanity!) while connecting with other moms," and the studio also offers family workshops. Schoolhouse Yoga also has multiple locations--Squirrel Hill, East Liberty, and North Hills. The class schedule varies by location, so visit the studio's website for more.
Kathy's Music
300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 344-0535
www.kathysmusic.com
Music classes aren't just fun. They can also help children build skills in literacy and math, and parents can join in at Kathy's Music Kindermusik programs. Take your children under 2 to Sing & Play or Cuddle & Bounce classes, focusing on beginning movement and language and communication, respectively. For toddlers, try Wiggle & Grow, providing activity and routine--even at home, as the class also provides resources to keep them learning outside of class. Preschool-age kids can take the Laugh & Learn class, providing them with music lessons early in life. This class has children learning largely without their parents, who don't join in until the final 15 minutes of the 45-minute class. And finally, Kathy's Music has family classes for parents and kids up to 5 years old. Don't worry if you miss a class--you'll be able to make it up.
Bounce U
65 Warrendale-Bayne Rd.
Warrendale, PA 15086
(724) 935-8555
www.bounceu.com
Let loose and have some fun with your child at Bounce U. Although it's known as a great place to host a birthday party and other group events, Bounce U also offers numerous Open Bounce opportunities, from an all-ages Open Bounce to a sensory-friendly Open Bounce. Try the Family Open Bounce for fun for the whole family, or Cosmic Open Bounce that teenagers will enjoy, too. Just keep in mind that space is limited and reservations are required for all Open Bounce sessions. Prices vary, so check their website.
Robert Morris University Island Sports Center
700 Grand Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15225
(412) 397-3335
www.rmuislandsports.org
For the sports-loving family, check out what RMU's Island Sports Center has to offer. The center offers a number of different classes, but their parent-child ones include golf and skating. The golf class is available to children of all ages and focuses on a different aspect of the game each week, costing $179 per pair. The skating class, meanwhile, is appropriate for kids between the ages of 3 and 5 and is offered on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. Make reservations to ensure a spot.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3131
www.carnegiemnh.org
Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museums have been hosting popular After Dark events for the 21+ crowd lately, but they also have a lot to offer children and their parents. In addition to activities for children within the museum--such as the interactive fossil dig for kids 10 and under and the monthly Super Science series--the Carnegie Museum also offers museum sleepovers for up to 80 people with three hours of activities of your choice, including videos, a dance party, scavenger hunts, fossil digging, and more. Sleepovers begin at 7 p.m. Friday night and end at 8:30 a.m. the next morning, and pricing includes Saturday museum admission.
Janelle Sheetz is a 20-something closed-captioner by day, writer by night, just outside of Pittsburgh. She also regularly contributes to AXS.com and Examiner.com, and her writing has also been featured on The Billfold and Neutrons Protons.
