Looking for unforgettable things to do with kids in Pittsburgh? If you can say you’ve taken your kids to do everything on this list, you’re raising a good and proper Yinzer. These are the 10 things every kid should do … before they’re old enough to tell you they’re too cool to be seen with you. From iconic summer traditions to beloved local attractions, these experiences belong on every Pittsburgh family’s bucket list.
10 Pittsburgh Experiences Every Kid Should Have at Least Once
Gus & Yia Yia’s
This ice ball stand has been in operation since 1934, and it’s a classic Pittsburgh rite of passage. Owner Gus Kalaris died in 2024, but the stand is still running with its refreshing icy treats and tempting popcorn.
Page’s
With a line that often wraps around the building, Page’s may not be somewhere you’re eager to take small children — who are famously bad at waiting. Try to ease the wait by aiming for a mid-afternoon visit on a somewhat cloudy day to avoid the line if you can … but the sundaes are so good I don’t mind waiting. My kids still bring up “that time we went to that good ice cream place under the bridge,” so it’s safe to say this is a memorable experience.
Randyland
Speaking of something every kid (every person, really) should experience, Randyland is a delight for any age. My kids were mesmerized by how much there was to see — and dazzled to learn that it was the creation of someone who simply wanted a happy haven in their own backyard.
Blue Slide Park
Not many cities can boast that they have a famous sliding board. The titular slide at Blue Slide Playground in Frick Park was made famous by Mac Miller but has long been a delight for locals. Every Pittsburgh child needs to experience the anticipation of waiting their turn at the top of that blue concrete curve and the exhilaration of sliding down it on a piece of cardboard.
Sarris Factory Tour
Make your kid feel like Charlie in the chocolate factory and take the Sarris Factory Tour. Forty-five minutes in the best-smelling factory you’ll ever encounter will inform you on how these sweet treats are made — then you can stop at the store and take some home.
Silver Clouds at The Andy Warhol Museum
In one room at The Andy Warhol Museum, it’s OK to touch the art. The interactive Silver Clouds allow kids (and grown-ups) to engage with this artistic treasure and lift the balloons into the air as they rotate throughout the room. It’s a great way to expose little ones to a brilliant artist — and a great time to feel like a kid yourself.
Pirates Family Fun Days
A Pirates game is always a classic summer outing, but you should make it a point to experience Family Fun Days on select Sundays. Enjoy the Family Fun Zone on Federal Street, complete with a bounce house, and stay after so that the kids can run the bases. (The line may seem long at first, but it moves pretty quickly and it’s absolutely something they’ll remember.)
Idlewild and SoakZone
Are you truly Mister Rogers’ neighbor if you’ve never taken a ride on Daniel Tiger’s trolley? This established theme park in the Laurel Highlands is great for younger kids, but there’s something for everyone at the adjoining SoakZone. Pack a picnic for the day and make it a family tradition.
Duquesne Incline
As a longtime Pittsburgher, I couldn’t wait to take my kids on their first incline ride. It’s fun to explain why these funiculars exist with our topography, and it’s special to watch their wonder grow as they take in the views as the incline climbs.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Waterplay
Another way to spend an entire afternoon is to enjoy the top floor of the Children’s Museum. Have the kids wear a bathing suit under their clothes and change for this floor (or just pack some towels to dry off after) and let the kids explore as long as they want. The shaved-ice table alone provides endless fun.
Story and Photography by Lauren Davidson
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