26 egg-citing spring activities for kids in Pittsburgh, including great free events

Photo above by Eren Li.

As the first day of spring approaches on March 20, it’s time to celebrate the season of renewal. Family activities bring the best of the season’s joy and exuberance, with nature outings, hands-on projects and lots of Easter-themed events. Check out this big roster of more than two dozen spring activities for kids in Pittsburgh:

1. Through March 28: Bring Spring!

Join creative kids in the Art Studio at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for Bring Spring!, an evolving project that welcomes the season of warmth and sunshine. Kids will build and paint a springtime scene using cardboard tubes, cardboard boxes and other found items. The activity is ongoing throughout the day and is included in museum admission.

2. March 18-April 16: Peep Show

Sewickley Public Library challenges families and friends to create a diorama starring marshmallow peeps in its Peep Show. Free kits are available for pickup beginning March 18 while supplies last. Consider a scene from your favorite book, movie or any other spark of inspiration. Deliver your completed diorama on April 1, then visit the library through April 16 to admire the Peep Show collection.

3. March 19-April 17: Spring Flower Show: Sunshine and Rainbows

The Victorian glasshouse at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a great place to bask in the sunshine in its tropical paradise. Vibrant colors will wow visitors in the Spring Flower Show: Sunshine and Rainbows. Expect tens of thousands of blooms from daffodils and tulips to fragrant hyacinths and lilies in the glorious exhibit. And be sure to wander through the new Tropical Forest Hawai’i to explore the plants, history and culture of the Rainbow State.

4. March 26: Nighttime Owl Prowl

Whoooo’s invited? Pittsburgh Botanic Garden hosts the Nighttime Owl Prowl for kids ages 8-17 and their grownups. Naturalist educators will lead the group through the garden’s woodlands to learn about the type of owls that inhabit our region. Registration is $25, which includes a child and adult, $15 for each additional child.

5. March 27: Fantastic Creature Egg Prop Making and Storyboarding

The creative crew at MuseumLab hatched a cool workshop for ages 10-15. In Fantastic Creature Egg Prop Making and Storyboarding, they’ll create an egg that they’ll design a storyboard around. Workshop registration is $20.

6. March 27, April 2 and 3: Cookies with Cottontail

If you’re looking for fun spring activities for kids in Pittsburgh, check out these free afternoons of entertainment that includes a visit with Peter Cottontail organized by Allegheny County Parks. You’ll find cookies and refreshments, face painting, a balloon artist and spring crafts. The hijinks take place on March 27 at the Rose Barn in North Park, April 2 at the South Park Economics Building and April 3 at Four Seasons Lodge in Boyce Park. Registration is required.

7. March 29-April 1: Birds and More Nature Walk

Join a naturalist on a nature-filled walk through one of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s nature park trails. The weekly walks are held at Buffalo Creek Nature Park on Tuesdays, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on Wednesdays, Succop Nature Park on Thursdays and Todd Nature Reserve on Fridays. Registration is free but required.

8. March 30, April 6, 13, 20 and 27: Seedings: Signs of Spring

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden guides kids ages 3-6 to connect with nature in its Seedlings: Signs of Nature series. Running every Wednesday from March 30 to April 27, kids will visit the garden’s various habitats for a lesson in nature that includes storytime and free play. Registration is $15, which includes an adult caregiver.

9. April 3: Sugar Plum Parties Easter Celebration

Sugar Plum Parties invites kids to a fun-filled Easter Celebration that includes an egg hunt and visit with the Easter Bunny. Girls and boys will be treated to sparkly hair styling, glittering manicures and temporary tattoos. Expect other activities like dying Easter eggs and decorative coloring pages. The $25 registration includes snacks and drinks to complete the party atmosphere.

10. April 4: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Early learners from ages 4-6 years will delight in getting their hands dirty as the instructor at Sweetwater Center for the Arts explores seeds and how they grow. The April Showers Bring May Flowers class begins with a reading of “Seeds Get Around.” Kids will paint a flowerpot, study the size and shape of seeds and plant them to take home. All supplies are included in the $35 registration.

11. April 7-May 1: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” rock opera has been inspiring audiences for more than 50 years. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the story covers Jesus Christ’s struggles through the last week of his life. This Pittsburgh Musical Theater show is a professional production staged at Gargaro Theater in the West End. Tickets are $25-$40.

12. April 8-10 and 15-16: Bunny Trolley

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum opens its season with one of its most popular events, the Bunny Trolley. Kids will ride a restored antique trolley to visit with the Easter Bunny. Activities include a hands-on craft project, a scavenger hunt and a chance to admire the snuggly live rabbits raised by the Four-Leaf 4-H Club. Tickets are $13 for ages 3-15, $15 for grownups and $14 for seniors. Ages 2 and younger are free, but require a lap ticket.

13. April 8-10: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

Not exactly the Easter bunny, but a bunny, nonetheless. This 30th-anniversary edition of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony brings the Looney Tunes gang to the stage at Heinz Hall. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will play live to the animated hijinks on screen. “The Rabbit of Seville” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” are some of the favorites to be shown, along with five new animated shorts. Tickets begin at $22.

14. April 9: Woodcock Watch

Dress for the weather to learn all about the American Woodcock, one of Pennsylvania’s migratory wading birds. These funny-looking birds, with plump bodies and long beaks, have lots of funny names, too: timberdoodle, night partridge, bigeye, bogsucker and mudsnipe. This Allegheny County Parks session for ages 5 to adult begins at Latodami Nature Center in North Park, then heads to the meadow to look and listen for the woodcock’s sunset mating display. How romantic! Registration is free but required.

15. April 9-10 and 15-16: Eggstravaganza

The National Aviary hosts kids at the spring-themed Eggstravaganza, where they’ll participate in a scavenger hunt, storytime and receive prizes to take home. It’s a fine day to explore the habitats and free-flying birds, too. Eggstravaganza is included in general admission.

16. April 9, 10 and 16: Breakfast or Lunch with the Easter Bunny

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is planning breakfast and lunch sessions with the Easter Bunny. Kids will nibble at a yummy meal, make a craft and take a photo with the guest of honor. Your $40 tickets, $10 for those younger than 2, include admission to the zoo. Looking for free spring fun with the zoo? Take the Eggs Gone Wild quiz, sponsored by KinderJoy, for a chance to win a behind-the-scenes zoo tour for four.

17. April 10: Jurassic Egg Hunt and Live Show

Here’s a different take on an egg hunt. Allison Park Church will hold a Jurassic-themed indoor egg hunt and live show on its Mt. Nebo campus. The Jurassic pre-show is for kids in K-5^th grade and their parents, while the egg hunt is for ages 3 and older. Childcare will be available for little ones younger than 3. Registration is not required.

18. April 10: Story Hike: “Hiking Day”

This Frick Park outing for little ones begins with a reading of “Hiking Day,” by Anne Rockwell, at the Frick Environmental Center. Then kids and their grownups will follow the naturalist educator along a guided hike that is less than a mile in length and geared to a slow pace. Registration is free but required.

19. April 10: Story Hike: “Wild Ones”

This Story Hike takes place across town in Allegheny Commons West Park with a reading of “Wild Ones: Observing City Critters,” by Carol L. Malnor. The story considers the way a city is a unique habitat full of animals that live alongside people. The slow-paced hike through the park will challenge kids to search for some of these critters. Registration is free but required.

20. April 10 and 15: Make-It-Now: Eggs + Flowers

Pittsburgh Glass Center is offering quick, 15-minute classes for all ages to experience glassblowing with the assistance of a local glass artist. Choose from a sculpted glass egg paperweight, a 2-D fused glass egg or a wearable piece of art, priced at $30-$45. Registration is required.

21. April 11: PNC Carousel Opens

Among the most popular spring activities for kids in Pittsburgh: watching the 16 creatures begin their circular journey in the Victorian-styled PNC Carousel in Schenley Plaza. Kids can choose their favorite beast from the likes of a sea dragon, dolphin and giraffe. Each ride requires a $2 token, purchased on-site, or a $60 family season pass that’s good for two adults and up to four kids. All 2020 passes will be honored.

22. April 12-14: Spring Peepers

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania invites kids ages 3-5 years on an outdoor adventure to learn about Spring Peepers: The Pond Wakes Up for Spring. The intro to nature offers a seasonal story, a walk and activities. The event will be held at Succop Nature Park on April 12, Buffalo Creek Nature Park on April 13 and Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on April 14. Registration is $8, which includes the accompanying grownup.

23. April 14: Easter Cookie Frost & Sip

Work on Easter treats and learn the fine art of cookie decorating in a hands-on class at Threadbare Cider. The session includes instructions on how to make and color royal icing, plus techniques like outlining, flooding and wet on wet decorating. You’ll go home with a collection of decorated cookies and recipes. Registration is $45 and includes a glass of nonalcoholic sweet cider or hard Threadbare Cider.

24. April 16: Super Science Saturday: Eggstravaganza

We’re so egg-cited, we just can’t hide it! Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Super Science Saturday presents Eggstravaganza, a scientific look at all things egg-related. Kids can compete in the annual springtime scavenger hunt for eggs and nests from tiny insects to mega-sized dinosaurs. Following egg-themed clues, they’ll search for specimens, collect stamps along the way and collect a goodies bag of springtime treats. Eggstravaganza activities are included in general admission.

25. April 16:  Bunny Fun Cruise

Hop onboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet’s 2-hour Bunny Fun Cruise and meet the Easter Bunny. A DJ dance party includes the “Bunny Hop” in the energetic playlist. All kids receive a special treat from the big bunny, too. Face painting, photos and snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 for ages 1-12, $32 for grownups and $5 for infants.

26. April 16: Threadbare Easter Egg Hunt

Threadbare Cider offers its annual Easter Egg Hunt with two sessions on the Cider House patio. A $5 ticket includes a basket for collecting Easter eggs that are filled with surprises. Accompanying grownups pay $7, which includes a glass of cider.

Looking for more spring activities for kids in Pittsburgh? Check out our guide to March events and our guide to maple syrup season (there are a few more events left!).