7 things to do with kids (at home) this week in Pittsburgh, from meeting Dumbledore to junk mail inspiration
Bang on a drum, take in a film premiere or while away a Saturday Crafternoon. Kids will explore the world of owls, help develop a theatrical performance and try their hand at a new form of Bingo. You’ll have a ball along with your kids dipping into these projects.
1. Attend a Pittsburgh film premiere
Filmmaker Alicia Rice screens her “When Kids Meet a Creature” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, on Facebook Live. The whimsical documentary short, starring the Children’s Museum and lots of Pittsburgh kids, has played at festivals across the country and around the world, including Russia, Albania and New Zealand. After the 20-minute watch party, participate in a Q&A with Alicia. If you miss the screening, “When Kids Meet a Creature” will be uploaded to YouTube for all to enjoy.
2. Bang on a drum
You don’t need a drum or musical experience to take part in the interactive Drumming and Music Activities offered by Environmental Charter School Pittsburgh. Join instructor Matt Price on Facebook Live at 3 p.m. every Wednesday for drumming lessons and other musical happenings. If your family is better at making music with their voices, catch the livestream Family Singalong at 3 p.m. on Mondays.
3. Ask the Question Monster
Penny Arcade’s interactive kids show goes online starting Saturday, April 25. Kids can help prep the Question Monster show by asking a question in a video and sending it via email before 6 p.m. Friday. Anything goes: Why is the sky blue? How do roosters know what time it is? The wise, three-headed Question Monster alien will answer as many questions as it can and save extras for the next show. The show will livestream here and on YouTube at 1 p.m. Saturday. While you’re waiting, download a Collaboration Station storyteller printout to write dialogue and create characters. Once done, shoot a photo to send to Penny Arcade and it might be used in the show.
4. Enjoy a Saturday Crafternoon
Those ever-popular Saturday Crafternoons return to Assemble in virtual form via Instagram. This week, the focus will be on stencil making, followed next week by Wheat Paste 101. The workshops for kids in grades K-5 run from 1-3 p.m., joining the new Virtual Assemble lineup of afterschool happenings and Girls Maker Nights.
5. Shout ‘Bingo!’
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh created an inspired Bingo card with which kids can discover the art around them in a Bingo-inspired scavenger hunt. Print out the card and direct little kids to find something that’s red, point out a repeating pattern or a picture of an animal according to the clues on the card. It’s one of the education resources for early childhood learning that will keep kids happily engaged and learning through play.
6. Give a hoot
It’s Owl Week at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh with lots of goings-on. Meet Dumbledore the owl in a Facebook Live video, download owl coloring pages and a word search. Stop by the website at 1 p.m. Friday to download a complete owl education packet. Looking for more bird fun? Watch the Aviary Education Corner for new content at 1 p.m. daily.
7. Make a Junk Mail Journal
Head to the recycle bin for all of those catalogs, direct mail letters and sales pitches. This Creative Connections project from Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shows kids how to make a Junk Mail Journal. It’s more than a simple notebook. This journal includes accordion foldout pages, special pockets and silly pages. Supplies are minimal: Junk mail, a marker, rubber band and glue or tape. It’s really cool!
Looking for more fun stuff? Visit the Kidsburgh Activities page or check out these additional guides:
8 things to do with kids, from spin art to hockey drills
9 things to do (at home) with kids
6 cool things to do (at home) with kids
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