Now that your children are out of school and ‘Summer Break’ has set in……start planning out your summer schedule to keep the kids busy.. Even though going outside is something that we were raised up doing, expose the children to the other things they can do. Hopefully this list will be helpful.

FREE

Nature Hike at Schenley Park- do a nature scavenger hunt with the kids. Make up a chart and have them mark off things they find.

Point State Park- rather you have a picnic, play freeze tag, or just gaze at the beauty of the 3 rivers and fountain…..enjoy what’s free in your city.

Crafton Playground- play at the wooden playground and maybe even cool off at the Crafton Pool that sits close by.

North Shore Water Steps- Shallow water and steps…. A way to keep kids entertained for at least 2 hours

Southside works spray fountain (right in front of Cheesecake Factory)- water…water …..water

Troy Hill Spray Park- My kids really enjoyed this spray park. If you go too fast, you will miss it. It was definitely a good time. BTW….they slept in the car on the way home.

Beach at Raccoon Creek State Park- Sandy little beach with shallow water that is great for kids of any age

Downtown Pittsburgh PPG Spray Park- Anyone traveling by bus can make this choice easy…..we have such a great time at this spray park

Mr. Rogers Play Area (Monroeville Mall)-great for kids 6 months-4 years old. One way in and one way out, great for runaway toddlers.

Squaw Valley Park (Fox Chapel/ Ohara)- A great quit little park to feed the ducks that is found in the pond there as well as start a volleyball game (just bring a ball).

EBT Discounted Places (with your EBT/Snap card, you receive a discounted price on tickets, call in advance as there is a limit on tickets that you can receive).

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Carnegie Science Center

Phipps Conservatory

National Aviary

Movies:

Dollar Bank Cinema In The Park- http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/cinema-in-park

The locations are:

Arsenal Park, Brookline Memorial Park, Schenley Park, Grandview Park, Highland Park, Riverview Park, Overlook Park and Mellon Square.

*Click on your location for movie and showing times

Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse- $1 tickets

Just Outdoor Fun:

Sunni Bell Stables- learn about horses, riding, and what it takes to be a horse rider.

Living Treasures Wild Animal Park- Get up close and personal with animals, 100% stroller friendly.

Idlewild Park and Soak Zone

Kennywood

Sandcastle

*****I saved the best for last*****

Community and Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park- it’s located in Upper St. Clair. 1551 Mayview Road Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.

This is an indoor / outdoor waterpark in which your kids will love. They have interactive water gadgets and shallow entry into pool. This is defiantly a hidden gem in the city!!!!

We will be having a ‘Villagers Day’ at this water park in July. I will post more details later……stay tuned