26 May events for families (most of them free!), from Remake Learning Days and outdoor fun to reptiles and much more

Photo above courtesy of P3R.

Kidsburghers can feel summer coming. Kennywood Park and the Schenley Plaza carousel are open, and pools around the region are being scrubbed and filled as we speak. While it’s not quite time for summer break, there are a ton of May events for Pittsburgh families happening all around our region. The Remake Learning Days festival has arrived (get all the details here about this massive celebration of learning), which means there’s also an extra helping of totally free events for families happening all around Pittsburgh and beyond.

Check out this list for a lineup of awesome May events for families, and sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing. 

May 2: The Science of Honey, virtual event

Explore the process honey bees use to make honey, and learn about the science behind nature’s sweet treat during this free, virtual event designed for students ages 8-18 and their families. Details can be found here. 

May 2-7: “Dear Evan Hansen,” Benedum Center

A letter that was never meant to be seen prompts a lie that was never meant to be told. Evan Hansen is about to get a chance to finally fit in. Best for teens to adults. Tickets start at $42.

May 3: Lunchtime Fishing, North Shore Riverwalk

The season opens for lunchtime fishing that meets near the Water Steps every Wednesday. Equipment, bait and instructions will be offered. Registration is free but required.

May 4:  Teen Time – LED Cloud Lamps, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh East Liberty

Want to make a beautiful and soothing addition to your bedroom? Teens and tweens (ages 11 to 18) are invited to work on this hands-on, creative project during this free gathering at the Carnegie Library in East Liberty. 

May 4: Youth Producers Meetup, YMCA Lighthouse Project

Calling all songwriters, beatmakers, and mix engineers ages 16-22: Come share your tracks, hear how they sound in a professional studio, get feedback from peers and professionals, eat snacks and meet other creative young music makers in Pittsburgh at this free event.

May 5-14: “39 Steps,” New Hazlett Theater

Prime Stage Theater presents Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful thriller that becomes a hilarious fast-paced experience with intrigue as four actors bring 150 characters to life. Best for middle school to adults. Tickets are $19 for students, $39 for adults. A pay-what-you-can preview is offered on May 9.

May 5: Remake Learning Day 2023 at the Pittsburgh Glass Center

Come explore Glass, Galaxies & Gases with the team at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Kids ages 5 through 18 can explore an exciting and out-of-this-world experience during this free workshop. Enjoy a galaxy of glass in the gallery and engage with local artists during live hot glass-making and electrifying gas demonstrations.

May 6: Pittsburgh Kids of Steel Marathon, PNC Park Riverwalk

This day is packed with tiny racers and family activities. There’s even a finish-line festival at the Point! Kids can run in the race or just cheer everyone on! Find out more details here about ways to participate. 

May 6: Salamander Saturday, Carnegie Science Center

Learn about the plight of the world’s salamanders, their conservation and their importance to ecosystems through themed activities, storytime and animal ambassadors. Free with general admission.

May 7: Pittsburgh Marathon, Downtown and various neighborhoods

It’s time for the marathon once again. Grab a spot early and cheer on the many runners, ranging from Olympic qualifiers and paralympic athletes to zany racers in fun costumes. According to professional marathon runners, Pittsburgh is known for having more spirit than other cities and a great cheering section. Make some noisy shakers, grab your air horn, and head to a spot along the courses for the race! Find details about the race here. 

May 7: Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale, Cheswick

Whether you want to buy a reptile, look around, or chat with other cold-blooded animal enthusiasts, this event is a fun way to explore the world of reptile ownership. Kids are free, and adults are only $6. Find more details here.

May 7: Ultimate Play Day, Lower McKinley Park

Join Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative and CitiParks for the Ultimate Play Day at Lower McKinley Park. Ultimate Play Day is a celebration of playfulness for people of all ages.This annual event is an opportunity for people throughout the Pittsburgh region to play together and raise awareness of the benefits of play for all people — from birth to 199 years. Partner and community organizations offer play activities for all ages at a different venue each year.

May 10: Lego Botany, Bethel Park Senior High School

Students ages 14-18 can explore and build three types of plants in Lego form, learning about the structure and function of their flowers and leaves using the Legos as models. The biology of the plants will be discussed as the students piece together the models and explore the world of botany during this free event.

May 12 and May 19: Nature Weaving & Foraged Basket Weaving, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Students from age 5 to age 18 are invited to the Children’s Museum for this free workshop to explore weaving with natural materials. Use sticks, vines, grasses and more as both warp and weft for weaving during the May 12 session and explore basket weaving using foraged natural materials on May 19. These classes are free with Children’s Museum admission (the Children’s Museum participates in Museums for All).

May 13: Choreography Workshop, Trust Arts Education Center

Through mentoring and guidance from the instructor, students will develop their own unique style of dance and create their own original dance routine. We’ll provide a variety of music to choose from and students are encouraged to bring their own movements that they would like to incorporate into their choreography. The cost is $25.

May 13: Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books

The second annual Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books (GPFB)  is a free event happening on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in East Liberty. This day of literary fun includes an expanded roster of programming designed for kids and families. Get all the details here!

May 13: Kites for Kids

Carnegie Science Center teams up with KidsVoice, an Allegheny County child advocacy organization, to celebrate Kites for Kids with hands-on activity stations, kite-themed games and crafts and lessons on the science of flight. Free with general admission.

May 16: Kids Club – Bug Hotels, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny

At the Carnegie Library on Federal Street, children in grades K-5 can create cozy outdoor habitats for local bugs while learning about why bugs are important to our ecosystem, what kinds of materials would attract certain bugs to our hotels, and famous entomologists (bug scientists!). Details here.

May 16: Streaming the Future, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Join SLB Radio online and tune in to Streaming the Future, a live conversation hosted by teens, featuring youth-selected topics, music, conversation, and more. Learn about the goals, hopes, and visions teens have for the future of education, their communities, and their own lives during this free event.

May 17: How to Hydrate a Parched Spectre, Carnegie Mellon University 

Immerse your family in a mixed reality Rube Golberg machine that leverages a sprawling array of technologies to tell a playful tale with help from the curious minds at Carnegie Mellon University and friends at partnering schools. Discover extravagant technological innovations and fantastic physical machines at this free event.

May 18: Family Craft Night, Center That CARES

Kids ages 5 through 13 and their families are invited to create art expressions with the CARES students at this free event. They will use markers, chalk, colored pencils, crayons and paint, creating art expressions and experiencing the different textures of the art. Details can be found here. 

 May 19-21: EQT Children’s Theater Festival

Come to the Cultural District for three days of mostly free fun with hands-on activities, street performances and a bunch of ticketed theater productions.

May 20: Kre.a.div Kingz of Pittsburgh Creative Art Event, The Frick

All ages are welcome to create art with purpose with the new Black collective, the Kre.a.div Kingz. During this free event at the Frick Pittsburgh, visitors will see the Kingz’s artwork, create alongside them, and join in a conversation about the evolution of their careers and how they are using their experience to pave the way for young artists.

May 20: Idlewild and SoakZone Opening Day

Features amusement rides, Storybook Forest, Jumpin’ Jungle and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. You can get all the details here.

May 21: Fred Rogers Productions’ Mini-Golf Celebration at Cool Springs

This inaugural fundraising event for nonprofit Fred Rogers Productions begins at 10 a.m. and offers a full day of fun. Families can enjoy a light-hearted mini-golf competition among teams of two. (Sign up: Teams can include one caregiver and one child or siblings and other family members/friends.) Other festivities include music, games, and photo-ops with characters from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Alma’s Way,” “Donkey Hodie,” and other special guests. All proceeds will go to FRP and the advancement of children’s media. Get more info here and tickets (including a free tier) can be reserved here.

May 27: Free Yoga in the Park at Allegheny Commons

For the past seven years, the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh has offered free weekly Yoga in the Park during the summer. The goal? To help people practice physical activity and mindfulness, while also fostering a sense of togetherness and support — all vital things for mental wellbeing. Yoga in the Park runs every Saturday at 10am from May 27 through August 26 at Allegheny Commons West, near Brighton & Ridge. Come and flow with Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors in this free, all-levels, all-ages yoga event beneath the trees in this city park.

Are you signed up for the Kidsburgh newsletter? It’s the best way to make sure your family knows what’s going on around the city.

Looking for more May events for Pittsburgh families? Don’t miss our big spring events guide, as well as our summer camp guide. And check out our daily events calendar for even more fun.