8 things to do with kids (at home) this week in Pittsburgh, from a mini film fest to a singalong
Pittsburgh organizations continue to impress us with interactive activities, delightful performances and new ways to stay active. Staying home isn’t so bad with this week’s lineup of things to do with kids.
1. Screen a mini film fest
Harris Theater @ Home offers two collections from the New York International Children’s Film Festival from May 8-17. Kid Flicks One is recommended for ages 3 and older, while Kids Flicks Two is best for ages 8 and older. We guarantee grownups will love both! The $7.99 screening price allows a 48-hour window in which to view as many times as you wish. These artful and playful collections of film shorts include animated and live-action stories.
2. Join a neighborhood singalong
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh organized a virtual neighborhood singalong to connect families across communities. Fred Rogers’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” is the song. Find the lyrics here, but feel free to give the tune your own twist. Play along with a piano, drum or guitar – or make musical instruments with household items. The Museum at Home series will show you how. Shoot a video of the performance and it might be included in the “Neighborhood Singalong” collection to be posted on the museum website. The deadline is May 17.
3. Drop in on a virtual teen night
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western PA connects kids in grades 7-12 on Friday and Tuesday nights. DJ GQ spins a live set and dance party at 8 p.m. May 8, on Instagram Live @teencenterbgcwpa. In other sessions, kids can participate in a virtual scavenger hunt and play interactive games. Fledgling songwriters can join a workshop with country music star Dillon Dixon, while gamers can take part in a designing session with game designer Jonaya Kemper. Stay posted for schedule details.
4. Experience the outdoors from home
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy combined natural resources and digital education with its launch of Parks on the Go. The program’s environmental experiences include virtual tours, wellness exercises and resources for families. Check out mindful activities and discover guided meditation for kids. Print out pages on wildlife subjects like bees, spiders or habitats to learn fun facts and take on suggested projects. It’s a great way to introduce young explorers to the environment and help develop stewardship of the natural world.
5. Just hit print
The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation created a collection of printables for its Pens Pals. The hockey-themed sheets include color-by-number, connect-the-dots puzzles and word searches. All-Star activities challenge fans to identify penalty calls, test their memory in a match game and i.d. all types of penguins.
Fun Fore All includes Mother’s Day coloring sheets – and a bonus! – among its trivia and word search activity sheets. The Mother’s Day pages include a certificate for a $10 Fun Card that’s valid until Dec. 31.
Pennsylvania State Parks put together a 22-page Art in the Park coloring book that’s available for download. The pages are jammed full of tips for getting the most out of a park experience, word searches and i.d.’s on wildflowers and plants, including those to avoid, like poison ivy. State parks like Ricketts Glen and Presque Isle get the glamour treatment on coloring pages.
6. Make a pop-up card
This pop-up card is perfect for a Mother’s Day card or a thinking-of-you note to a friend. Beginning with basic instructions, kids can lend their creativity to more exciting and colorful cards. The project is one of the Try At Home collection of activities from MuseumLab. Other creative ideas include making your own knitting loom, folding origami hearts and expert tips for building with cardboard.
7. Build a collage dino – and practice your Spanish!
This activity from Trust Arts Education’s Creative Connections shows kids how to make a collage dinosaur with clothespin legs. The instructional video gives an option for an English or Spanish version for added interest. Spanish language students will have the chance to perfect their fluency while working on this fun piece. De nada!
8. Develop adventurous taste buds
Kalamata’s Kitchen works to encourage curiosity, food adventure and compassion in kids, so it’s not surprising that the Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh is one of its partners. Download a Kitchen Exploration Passport and follow the lineup of tasks: Smell three spices with your eyes open, then try to identify them with your eyes shut. Try a new food and describe it in Tasting Notes. Or ask a grownup about a favorite food memory. Once complete, kids will qualify for an official Taste Bud membership card and access to more food adventures and special offers. Could it be a cure for picky eaters?
Looking for more virtual fun? Check out these guides:
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