When it’s cold outside and there’s no snow on the ground, it’s nearly impossible to find things to do with kids in Pittsburgh that let your little ones expend some energy. Don’t worry, though: you can have just as much active fun with an indoor activity, and you’ll stay warm in the process. Maybe you’ll join in the fun and become a kid at heart again. Whether your family is jumping through the air on a trampoline or learning to climb a rock wall, get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Things to Do with Kids in Pittsburgh While Indoors
Urban Air Adventure Park
Get ready to jump, climb, and fly as you explore trampolines, rock walls, dodgeball, warrior courses, and so much more, at Urban Air Adventure Park. This isn’t your average trampoline park. It’s crafted with various types of attractions so that people of all ages have something to enjoy like trampoline dodgeball or just traditional bouncing.
Museum of Illusions Pittsburgh
This new museum on the North Shore immerses you in the world of illusions, where nothing is quite as it seems. Explore a spinning Vortex Tunnel, tiptoe through the Tilted Room, and even serve up your own head on a silver platter. It all sounds crazy, but you’ll just have to trust us and see for yourself.
Kamin Science Center
As a part of the Kamin Science Center, the Sports360 and Bodyworks exhibits get your little ones’ heart pumping. They will get all their wiggles out with activities that combine sport exercises and science. The lastest from the Sports360 exhibit lets your child test their skills in baseball, hockey, football, soccer, and basketball simulators. Whether you wish to be on an NFL team or simply driving the zamboni, there’s something for everyone.
Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark
Looking for things to do with kids in Pittsburgh for ages 3 and up? Keep out of the cold and get the a snowboarding or skiing experience…with carpet skates. It’s as easy as sliding across the hardwood floor in your socks but with ramps and other fun obstacles. Even if carpet skating isn’t your thing they also have blacklight dodgeball, mini golf, arcade, an Ultimate Nerf Arena, and even a glowing inflatable slide and bounce house.
Puttshack
This mini golf course will make you feel like you’re living in the future. With new technology, the golf balls at Puttshack track your game for you, scoring a range of points depending on how you play the game. You’ll want to score as many points as possible by landing your ball in the glowing supertube or hitting bonus goals. Some holes may be a bit too challenging for younger players, there is literally one where you must bounce your ball off various drums, so it’s recommended for children seven or older.
Ice Castle Arena
Since the weather fluctuates so often in Pennsylvania, you’re probably better off planning an ice skating day indoors so you don’t end up with the ice melting beneath your skates and rain soaking your from head to toe. Head on over to the Ice Castle Arena and skate the day away. A concession stand is on hand in case your stomach starts rumbling. Plus, on the weekends, the arena is covered in “disco” lighting.
Fun Fore All
Who doesn’t love a day at the video game arcade? The thrill of trying to win tickets for a prize of your choice makes that day especially memorable. At Fun Fore All, you can play for tickets or just for fun. But, if video games aren’t quite your thing (we’re looking at you parents), you can also play a game of duckpin bowling as your little ones run around.
MuseumLab
As an extension of the Children’s Museum, MuseumLab allows kids 9 and older to have cutting-edge experiences in art, tech and making. Climb a three-story lace sculpture created by artist Manca Ahlin, explore various interactive art exhibits, or sign up for a class to learn hands-on STEM skills.
Ascend
South Side and Point Breeze’s climbing, fitness, and yoga gym isn’t just for adults. Both locations have youth programming customized for all different age groups. Not to mention, if you’d like to join your child, they have family climb classes where you can learn the basics of safety, bouldering, rope wall climbing, and more side by side.
Pittsburgh Toy Lending
For families with young children from birth through preschool age, this volunteer‑run play space and toy library is a dream come true. Kids can explore a variety of age‑appropriate toys and play areas that encourage imaginative and physical play like ride‑ons, building blocks, play kitchens, and creative activity zones. They’ll also get to socialize with other children their age which is always good for young brains.
Sandbox VR
In case your kids are a little older and also video game lovers, Sandbox VR hits the jackpot. Full‑body motion capture, VR headsets, and haptic feedback vests put you directly into virtual worlds as you team up to fight zombies, hunt for treasure, explore fantasy realms, or complete missions together. You’ll be walking, dodging, and interacting in the game environment just like you’re stepping into the world yourself.
Flour Power Cooking Studios
Do you have a passionate cook or baker in the house? Let them explore their passion alongside your whole family with a cooking class. For families, there are interactive cooking events designed so parents and kids can cook and bond together while also exploring new foods and techniques. Though, there are also Kids’ Night Out events where young chefs take part in a cooking session on a Friday night, giving adults a chance for some free time.
Moonshot Museum
One of the newest museums in Pittsburgh is here to take you all the way to outer space and beyond. Inside, families can explore interactive exhibits that have them take part in simulated lunar missions, design mission patches, experiment with rover engineering challenges, and imagine what it takes to live on the Moon. It’s a way for the whole family to learn something new all while enjoying themselves, too.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Puttshack
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