ONGOING
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Branches of the library citywide offer kids' and teens' programs — from storytime and crafting to children's yoga — throughout the summer. www.carnegielibrary.org
Carnegie Science Center.
Lots of youth-friendly ongoing science exhibits, including roboworld, the Highmark SportsWorks and the traditional Miniature Railroad & Village. Opening June 14 is BLUE!, in which visitors can build mini-cities from foam blocks. www.carnegiesciencecenter.org
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
This season's exhibit is XOXO, which lets kids explore love, forgiveness and other emotions with interactive art and activities (through Sept. 21). There are also plenty of interactive programs, including a garden, a garage-themed playroom, and Waterplay, a water exhibit. North Side. 412-322-5058 or www.pittsburghkids.org
Citiparks Dek Hockey.
Full-size Dek hockey rinks are open at Banksville Park, Brookline Memorial Park, Marmaduke Playground in Brighton Heights, Hazelwood's Lewis Playground and South Side's Ormsby Playground. www.citiparks.net
Citiparks Recreation Centers.
Ten rec centers all over town offer sports and outdoor programs; beginning June 16, Summer Food Service program provides breakfast, lunch and snacks to children up to age 18. Most centers are open 1-9 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. 412-422-6542 or www.citiparks.net
Citiparks Swimming Pools and Spray Parks.
The city offers 18 outdoor swimming pools from June 10 through Labor Day; swim lessons and swim team events are available at each. Spray parks, where you can get soaked without opening a fire hydrant, open May 24 in Beechview, East Hills, Shadyside, Troy Hill and — new this year — Beltzhoover. 412-323-7928 or www.citiparks.net
Heinz History Center.
In addition to ongoing kid-friendly exhibits in the lobby and on the third floor, the history center offers three "Hop Into History" events (June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20) in which kids ages 2-5 can engage in hands-on exploration of the past — with music, dance and games. Strip District. www.heinzhistorycenter.org or 412-454-6000
Kids Open Mic.
Local club Hambone's has launched a monthly all-ages/family open mic event where kids can sing, play an instrument or dance. Lawrenceville. For scheduling, see www.facebook.com/HambonesPittsburgh
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library.
Kids up to age 6 can hone their social and motor skills in this indoor art- and play-space, which also features a toy-lending program for members. Call for hours. Shadyside. 412-682-4430 or www.pghtoys.org
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
In addition to the hands-on Kids Kingdom area, the zoo offers family-friendly events all summer long. Specially themed programs take place during Eat'n Park Family Week (June 14-22), the UPMC Summer Kids' Zoofari (Aug. 16-29) and on "Wild Wednesdays" from June 11-Aug. 13. Highland Park. 412-665-3640 or www.pittsburghzoo.org
Tyke Hikes
Venture Outdoors presents relaxed, inexpensive weekday-morning nature hikes in city and county parks, for parents with children up to 5 years old. www.ventureoutdoors.org
SUMMER CAMPS
Assemble.
This Garfield "community space for arts and technology" offers weekday camps in everything from DJing and computer programming to rainbow looms, for kids in grades 3-8. www.assemblepgh.org
Carnegie Museums.
The Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History hold camps for kids ages 4-13, with activities ranging from hands-on "dino digs" to art classes. Kids 5-12 can also spend full-day sessions at the Carnegie's Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, Pa. Oakland. 412-622-3288 or www.artandnaturalhistory.org/camps/
Carnegie Science Center.
Kids ages 4-14 can participate in half- or full-day sessions in a variety of science themes: exploring rivers, building bridges, programming robots. North Side. 412-237-1637 or www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/summer-camps/
Frick Art and Historical Center.
In August, the Frick offers two week-long day camps: a half-day program for kids ages 4-6, and a full-day program for kids entering grades 2-5. The Frick grounds and collections are the backdrop for artwork and activities. Point Breeze. 412-371-0600 or www.thefrickpittsburgh.org
Girls Rock! Pittsburgh.
This camp, in which girls ages 8-18 learn to play in a rock band, expands dramatically this year to two full-day/full-week sessions: June 23-28 and Aug. 4-9. Girls will form bands that perform in a showcase at week's end. Regent Square and Shadyside. www.girlsrockpittsburgh.org
Irma Freeman Center for Imagination.
Week-long, half-day classes expose kids to a range of creative activities — often using recycled/upcycled materials — in fields ranging from jewelry-making and drawing to gardening and standup comedy. For ages 4-13. Bloomfield. www.irmafreeman.org
Monologues and Movement.
Kids from grades 6-8 learn voice, movement, acting and improvisational careers at this camp, presented by Prime Stage Theater and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. June 16-10. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Strip District. www.primestage.com
National Aviary.
Camps for ages 4-18, where kids can do everything from meeting penguins to learning the basics of falconry. North Side. 412-258-9439 or www.aviary.org/summer-camps
Phipps Conservatory.
Kids ages 2-7 learn about plants and bugs, gardening and cooking, in a series of camps throughout the summer. Oakland. 412-441-4442 x3925 or phipps.conservatory.org
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Summer art camps in a range of disciplines are offered all summer long for kids ages 4-13, plus high school immersion camps that teach arts like web design and ceramics. Shadyside. 412-361-0455 or www.pittsburgharts.org/summerartcamps
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Kids ages 2-13 can attend half-day and full-day Animal Adventures summer zoo camps, studying animals and participating in activities that include nature photography and zoo-design workshops. Highland Park. www.pittsburghzoo.org
Saltworks Theatre Company.
Aspiring actors ages 4-16 can learn role-playing, movement, improv and other stage techniques at day camps held in Sewickley, the North Hills and Oakland. 412-621-6150 x201 or www.saltworks.org/yassummer14.php
Steel City Rowing Club.
Summer camps in rowing, fishing and other aquatic activities are offered to kids ages 8-18 in half- and full-day sessions. Verona. steelcityrowing.org/adventure-camps/
OTHER EVENTS
MAY 29-31
Allegheny County Marbles Tournament.
One ring to rule them all ... the County Courthouse Courtyard hosts the finals for the county's marbles competition. Winners head to the national competition in June. Downtown. 412-260-7278 or www.alleghenycounty.us/parks
JUNE 7
Artists Image Resource Fundraising Party.
An annual family-friendly event to support this local printshop, which provides numerous opportunities for individual students and organizations throughout the summer. North Side. www.artistsimageresource.org
JUNE 8
Fizz, Boom, READ @ Your Library.
The Carnegie Library main branch's 14th annual summer reading extravaganza features science-related games, crafts and other free family activities from noon to 5 p.m. Oakland. www.carnegielibrary.org
JUNE 14-15
Deep Blue Sea Weekend.
Coinciding with the launch of its BLUE! exhibit, the Carnegie Science Center offers a weekend of hands-on activities and children's books focused on ocean exploration. www.carnegiesciencecenter.org
JUNE 17-AUG. 8
Citiparks Roving Art Cart.
The Art Cart provides free art-creation projects from around the world — like Amazon rain sticks and Chinese dragons — for kids at different city parks each Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Opening celebration at Highland Park Super Playground June 17. 412-665-3665 or www.citiparks.net
JULY 28-30
Pittsburgh Technical Institute Summer Camp 2014.
2014 and 2015 high-school grads can attend an overnight career-discovery camp at PTI campus for fields including design and crime-scene investigation. Oakdale. www.pti.edu/summercamp
