📍 Liberty Ave, Bloomfield📅 Thu Aug 13 – Sun Aug 16
FreeOutdoorFood
One of Pittsburgh's longest-running ethnic festivals! Four days of Italian food, live music on three stages, bocce tournaments, a pasta-eating contest, and a dedicated Kids Fun Zone in the First Commonwealth Bank parking lot (Fri–Sun).
Hours: Thu 5–9pm · Fri noon–9pm · Sat noon–9pm · Sun noon–5pm
Kids Fun Zone: Games, activities, and entertainment — perfect for this age group
Highlights: Bocce tournament (Sat/Sun), Vito from The Sopranos Q&A (Sat 3pm), 30+ live acts
Food: Cannoli, gelato, sausage & peppers, pizza, pasta — everything Italian
Parking: Street parking in Bloomfield; arrive early on Saturday
📍 Arts Landing, Downtown Pittsburgh📅 Saturday Aug 15 · 10am–2pm
FreeOutdoor
Check out Downtown Pittsburgh's brand-new playground and amphitheater! Family pickleball, face painting, balloon art, lawn games, a drum circle, family karaoke, and food trucks. Designed for ages 1–13, so it hits the sweet spot for 9–12 year olds.
Activities: Pickleball, chalk art, make-and-take art, face painting, balloon art
Entertainment: Family dance party, story corners, family karaoke
Food: Food trucks on-site
Tip: Great chance to explore the new Downtown green space
📍 Historic Hanna's Town, Greensburg📅 Sat & Sun Aug 15–16 · 8am–5pm
FreeOutdoor
Step back in time to the Pennsylvania frontier! Costumed interpreters bring the 1700s to life with blacksmithing, frontier court reenactments, historic crafts, farm animals, guided nature walks, and hands-on activities. Celebrates America's 250th anniversary.
Living history: Blacksmithing demos, frontier court reenactments, artisan crafts
Nature: Guided nature walks through the grounds
Animals: Farm animals on-site
Adults 21+: Sunday Tavern Crawl with local craft beverages
📍 Kamin Science Center, North Side📅 Saturday Aug 15 · 10am
$12Indoor
Watch Lightning McQueen on a massive 71×39-foot screen with 4K laser projection and Dolby Atmos surround sound. Pittsburgh's most immersive theater makes this Pixar classic feel brand new.
Tickets: $12 per person
Screen: 71×39 feet with 4K laser projection
Sound: Dolby Atmos surround — kids will love it
While you're there: Check out the new Science of Speed exhibit (electric go-karts & racing simulators)
📍 New Hazlett Theater, Northside📅 Saturday Aug 15 · 2–6pm
FreeOutdoor
An afternoon celebrating neighborhood creativity with live music, all-ages art activities, local food trucks, and theater tours. Hosted by New Hazlett Theater and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh with partners including City of Asylum and Saturday Light Brigade.
Activities: Hands-on art projects, live performances, theater tours
Food: Local food trucks
Tip: Combine with a visit to the Children's Museum nearby
💦 Splash Park Cinema — "Dora and the Lost City of Gold"
📍 Bethel Park📅 Friday Aug 14 · Gates 8pm, Movie at dusk (~9pm)
FreeOutdoor
Outdoor movie night with the splash pad open until 9:30pm! Pre-movie crafts and activities from Bethel Park Public Library, plus free popcorn, water, and drinks while supplies last. Bring chairs or blankets. Moves indoors if it rains.
📍 August Wilson African American Cultural Center📅 Saturday Aug 15 · 11am–2pm
FreeIndoor
A reading-centered event where kids discover stories encouraging them to be bold, creative dreamers. Families create "dream bags" to guide summer reading. Great for kids who love books or need inspiration to pick one up.
Cost: Free with registration
What to expect: Story discovery stations, dream bag crafting, reading recommendations
📍 Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art, Natural History, Kamin Science Center📅 Running through Aug 17
Museum admissionIndoor
A multi-venue scavenger hunt across four Carnegie museums. Perfect for curious kids who love puzzles and exploring. Pick up the hunt at any participating location and work through challenges across all four sites.
Venues: Warhol Museum · Museum of Art · Natural History · Kamin Science Center
Best for: Puzzle-lovers and museum enthusiasts
Tip: Pair with the "Cars" screening at Kamin on Saturday!
📍 Community Forge, Wilkinsburg📅 Saturday Aug 15 · Noon–4pm
FreeOutdoor
A neighborhood celebration with free barbecue, frozen treats, line dancing, an inflatable planetarium, skill-sharing, crafting, and custom shirt & board game design with BootUp. XPogo will teach kids to hop — and there's a hard-hat peek at the historic Social Hall.
📍 Kamin Science Center, North Side📅 Open daily (ongoing exhibit)
Tickets on siteIndoor
A 21,000 sq ft adrenaline-fueled science experience featuring a multi-level electric go-kart track, racing simulators, vintage & modern race cars, and interactive science exhibits. Hands-down the most exciting indoor option for this age group.
Must-try: The all-electric go-kart track and high-end racing simulators
Science angle: Interactive exhibits explain the physics of speed
A 76-year tradition featuring 130+ local marching bands with a Mardi Gras theme — live music on the midways, specialty food & drinks, and a French Quarter block party. Plus all the classic Kennywood rides.
Admission: Starts at $40
Best part: Marching bands perform throughout the park
Rides: Phantom's Revenge, Thunderbolt, classic dark rides
💡 Pro tip: The Family Fest + Little Italy Days combo on Saturday is hard to beat — do Arts Landing in the morning (10am–2pm), then head to Bloomfield for Italian food and the Kids Fun Zone in the afternoon/evening. Both are free!