10 events to fill your first weekend of 2025 with family fun!

Above image courtesy of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Whether you’re looking to keep the party going this weekend, or hoping to find some quieter family activities, there are lots of options in and around Pittsburgh for this first chilly weekend in 2025.

Start the new year off right with some family fun:

Friday, January 3: Hazelwood First Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The folks in Hazelwood invite you to keep ringing in the new year at First Friday, their lively community celebration held on the first Friday of every month. Their January event is packed with activities, live music, crafts for all ages, delicious food, unique local vendors and more. This event is free. Find more information here.

Saturday, Jan. 4: “Mufasa” Sensory-Friendly Screening at The Lindsay Theater, 9:30 a.m.

The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley is hosting a sensory-friendly screening of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” “Mufasa” is a prequel to 2019’s “The Lion King” that follows Simba’s father, Prince Taka (aka Scar), Sarabi (Simba’s mother) and more “Lion King” favorites on an epic journey across the Pride Lands. Tickets to this and all sensory-friendly screenings at The Lindsay are discounted to $8.75 each. Sensory-friendly screenings are designed so everyone can enjoy a personal, unhurried cinematic experience.

Saturday, Jan. 4: Cookie Cookie Kids Club, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At the Cookie Cookie Ice Cream Company in McKees Rocks, one of their star bakers hosts a kids’ club once a month from September through June to make an edible craft. For January, young bakers can sign up here or in person. The cost is $10. Cookie Cookie Ice Cream Company strives to be an inclusive space for aspiring bakers of all backgrounds and abilities.

Saturday, Jan 4: Storytime at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Every Saturday through Feb. 15, kids and their families can meet at the bench at the entrance to Dinosaurs in Their Time for a STEM-themed story event. There will also be specimens available for hands-on learning. This event is free with museum admission.

Saturday, Jan. 4: Storytime Under the Stars at the Kamin Science Center, 11 a.m.

This storytime is designed for early learners and their grownups. Enjoy a science-themed read-aloud under a bright shining moon in the Buhl Planetarium. This storytime is free with museum admission. Find more details here.

Saturday, Jan. 4: Animal Friends Therapet Visit at CLP, 11 a.m. 

Have a child who is nervous around animals? Bring them to this Therapet visit at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington branch. These specially trained animals from Animal Friends are calm and gentle to help kids build confidence with animals. Find more details here.

Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5: Penguins on Parade at the Pittsburgh Zoo, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Every weekend through Feb.23, if the conditions are right, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium’s penguins will march outside for all to see. Arrive before 11:30 to get a good viewing spot. The temperature must be between 25 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and other conditions may also affect the parade. Please check here for updates. This activity is included in zoo admission.

Saturday, Jan. 4: Family Nature Hike at Powdermill Nature Reserve, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join experts from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History as they hit the trails for a guided nature walk. Meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages. Events fill up fast, so registration is recommended to guarantee your spot. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more info here.

Sunday, Jan. 5: O’Ryan the O’Mazing’s Spectacular Circus Class at CLP, 2 p.m. t0 3 p.m. 

This weekend, O’Ryan will teach kids in grades K through 5 all about circus arts at the Squirrel Hill branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Kids will try their hand at juggling, spinning plates, and acting. This event is free. Find more details here.

Sunday, Jan. 5: Breakdancing for Kids with Los Sabrosos, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

This introduction to breakdancing is designed for kids ages 7-12. Class begins with a warmup and time to ask questions, and then kids will learn the basic steps. The cost is $20 and more info can be found here. For kids who have done the beginner class several times, there is also an intermediate level offered on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Looking for more family fun this month? Check out our guide to January 2025 (ADD LINK). Don’t forget to start the new year off right by signing up for our newsletter, too. It’s the best way to know what’s happening in Kidsburgh.