ONGOING
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Branches of the library citywide offer kids’ and teens’ programs — from story time and puppet shows to gaming and literature discussions — 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. And H2Oh! Explores the city’s rivers. North Side. 412-237-3400 or www.carnegiesciencecenter.org
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. This season’s exhibit, beginning June 11, is Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit, an immersive tour into world of the popular TV series. There are also plenty of interactive programs. 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, Bloomfield Park and South Side’s Ormsby Playground. www.citiparks.net
Citiparks Recreation Centers. Ten rec centers offer sports and outdoor programs; Summer Food Service (start date TBD) programs 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. www.citiparks.net
Citiparks Swimming Pools and Spray Parks. The city offers 18 outdoor swimming pools from June 14 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 28 in Beechview, East Hills, Shadyside, Troy Hill, Beltzhoover and Hazelwood. 412-323-7928 or www.citiparks.net
Heinz History Center. In addition to ongoing kid-friendly exhibits in the lobby, and the third floor’s Discovery Place exhibit, the center offers monthly “Hop Into History” events (the next is June 8), in which kids ages 2-5 can engage in hands-on exploration of history. Strip District. 412-454-6000 or www.heinzhistorycenter.org
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 or check online for hours. Shadyside. 412-682-4430 or www.pghtoys.org
Pittsburgh Pirates Kids Days. Sundays are all about kids at PNC Park. There are special ticket and concession prices. There’s always great freebies like player wall-decals and, on June 26, an Andrew McCutchen jersey. North Side. www.pittsburghpirates.com
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. In addition to the hands-on Kids Kingdom area, the zoo offers family-friendly events all summer long. Themed programs take place on “Wild Wednesdays” from June 15-Aug. 3. 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 from June 20-Aug. 12, utilizing STEAM curriculum (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) for kids ages 6-13. www.assemblepgh.org
Carnegie Museums. From June 13 through Aug. 26, the museums of art and natural history hold camps for kids ages 4-13, with activities ranging from hands-on “dino digs” to art classes and a film camp. Kids 6-13 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. From June 6-Aug. 19, kids ages 4-12 can participate in half- or full-day sessions on a variety of themes, from engineering and robotics to the science in the popular video game Minecraft. North Side. 412-237-1637 or www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/summer-camps/
Citiparks Citicamp. Different themed adventures take place at Citipark recreation centers across Pittsburgh. Adventure titles include “Space Station Pittsburgh,” “Scales and Tales” and “Time Travelers.” Programs run from June 20-Aug. 12. Call individual rec centers for details. pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/summer-day-camps
Citiparks Sports Academies. Six week-long camps for kids ages 7-12 looking for a sport-specific experience with scrimmages, fun competitions and a real game. Sports include basketball, volleyball, flag football and tennis. Camps run from June 20-Aug. 8. 412-255-2539 or pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/summer-day-camps
Citiparks Tot Camp. Half-day camps held in one-week sessions from June 20-Aug. 4 with no camp the week of July 4. Themes include “kids cooking,” “little builders” and “the wonders of nature.” Ages 4-6. 412-255-2539 or pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/summer-day-camps
Frick Art & Historical Center. Starting June 27, the Frick offers a week-long day camp for kids ages 8-12 exploring the world of antique cars. Beginning Aug. 15, a full-day program for kids entering grades 2-5 offers painting, printmaking and puzzles. 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, is held from Aug. 1-5 at Winchester Thurston School. Girls will form bands that perform in a showcase on Aug. 6. Shadyside. www.girlsrockpittsburgh.org
Irma Freeman Center for Imagination. Five week-long, half-day classes run four consecutive weeks beginning June 20. Classes, including circus camp, creative writing, dance and more, expose kids to creativity. For ages 6-12. Bloomfield. www.irmafreeman.org
National Aviary. Camps run from June 20-Aug. 5 for ages 4-18, where kids can interact with birds and go on birding-photography hikes. North Side. 412-258-9439 or www.aviary.org/summer-camps
Phipps Conservatory. Kids ages 2-13 learn about conservation, ecology and healthy living in a series of camps throughout the summer. Oakland. 412-441-4442 x3925 or phipps.conservatory.org
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Camps from June 13-Aug. 26 in a range of disciplines are offered all summer long for kids ages 4-13, plus high school immersion camps (ages 14-18) that teach a wide array of subjects, from photography and ceramics to cosplay costume design and an anime workshop. 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 that run from June to August and range from story time for little ones to animal study and interaction. Highland Park. www.pittsburghzoo.org
Saltworks Theatre Company. From June 13-July 21, 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 x205 or www.saltworks.org
Steel City Rowing Club Camp. Summer camps in rowing and other aquatic activities are offered to kids ages 8-18 in half- and full-day sessions from June 6-Aug. 8. Verona. 412-828-5565 or steelcityrowing.org
OTHER EVENTS
May 21
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Presents Kids Cook. Kids will learn to measure, prepare and taste delicious desserts at this event at the Carnegie Library Homewood branch beginning at 3 p.m. Homewood. 412-731-3080 or www.carnegielibrary.org
June 2-4
Allegheny County Marbles Tournament. Since 2004, 10 National Marbles Champions have come from Allegheny County. The County Courthouse Courtyard hosts the finals for the county’s marbles competition. Winners head to the national competition, June 20-24 in New Jersey. Downtown. 412-260-7278 or www.alleghenycounty.us/parks
June 14-Aug. 5
Citiparks Roving Art Cart. The Art Cart: Celebrating Pittsburgh City of Bridges offers free multi-media art projects 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 14. 412-665-3665 or www.citiparks.net
June 20-26
Frick Park Red Clay Junior Open. Kids ages 16 and under can compete in this annual tennis tournament. There are three divisions — 16 and under, 14 and under and 12 and under. Regent Square. www.clayfricktennis.org
Sept. 10
Alphabet Trails and Tales. Take a walk through Frick Park and learn 26 awesome things to do on its Alphabet Trail. The interactive, free event promotes early-elementary literacy through a day of nature and reading. 412-665-3665 or www.citiparks.net
