New Look for Playful Pittsburgh

Playful Pittsburgh is rolling out a fresh new look, but our commitment to promoting the significance of play in the lives of children, families, and communities in the Pittsburgh region remains unwavering.

We're on a mission to spread awareness about the vital role play plays in the lives of individuals of all ages.

From parents to legislators, we're dedicated to educating decision-makers in our region to ensure that their choices prioritize access to play for everyone.

Through engaging activities, we aim to lead by example and inspire our community to incorporate play into their daily routines.

Learn more about the Playful Pittsburgh initiative and help us spread the word to your networks and sign up for the Playful Pittsburgh newsletter to stay up to date on all things play-related in the region.

March Playful Pittsburgh Partner Highlights

Playful Pittsburgh has many amazing partners across the city and each month we would like to take a moment to spotlight our tier 2 and 3 partners and all the work they doing to contribute to play equity. 

Pittsburgh Parks:

Pittsburgh Parks is a nonprofit organization that is committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with the government and the community.

As part of this work, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy provides outdoor educational programming for all ages to forge connections between people and the parks. Play is an important feature of these programs, as we encourage people to relax, recreate, and unleash their imaginations. We believe providing opportunities for play in the parks enhances children’s—and adults’— sense of connection to the natural world. 

How to Connect with Pittsburgh Parks:

To connect with Pittsburgh Parks, visit their website or connect with them on Instagram or Facebook. 

The Fred Rogers Institute:

Fred Rogers established the Institute to work with current professionals to support their practice in the service of children and families, researchers looking to deepen their understanding of the important issues facing children. 

The Fred Rogers Institute considers “the capacity to play” one of the six necessities of learning. In "Mister Rogers Talks with Parents," Fred Rogers and Barry Head introduce “play” as a fundamental element in a person’s ability to learn and grow.

This year, a dedicated group within the "Educators Neighborhood" program at the Fred Rogers Institute is exclusively focusing on the theme of play. This deliberate emphasis promotes collaborative endeavors in crafting and executing playful learning experiences, fostering a spirit of cooperation and breaking down professional barriers. The recognition of the significance of play for both educators and the children and families they serve enhances the establishment of profound and straightforward connections within the community.

How to Connect with The Fred Rogers Institute:

To connect with The Fred Rogers Institute, visit their website or connect with them on Instagram or Facebook. 

Neighborhood North Museum of Play:

Neighborhood North is a children’s museum located in the Beaver Falls area with a mission to create a unique and vibrant center of intergenerational learning for the youngest members of our community, for their parents and grandparents and all who care for them, and to cultivate the curiosity and creativity of our future citizens.

Neighborhood North believes that play is essential for learning, creating, and connecting. Play helps to promote trust, joy, and authenticity, and to break down barriers which leads to more honest, resilient relationships within our organization.  

How to Connect with Neighborhood North Museum of Play:

To connect with Neighborhood North Museum of Play, visit their website or connect with them on Instagram or Facebook. 

Playful Vendors and Volunteers Needed for Ultimate Play Day

Playful Pittsburgh is seeking vendors and volunteers for Ultimate Play Day 2024.

Ultimate Play Day, hosted by Playful Pittsburgh, Trying Together, and CitiParks, is a celebration of playfulness for people of all-ages.

The event will be held at Riverview Park in the Northside on Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of Remake Learning Days - Southwestern PA in 2024.

Become a Playful Vendor

Ultimate Play Day aims to foster community connections and learning through playful activities.

If your organization would like to facilitate a playful activity at Ultimate Play Day, please fill out the vendor application form.

Consider how your activity could engage populations from various age ranges and encourage intergenerational play; consider what props you'll bring to facilitate fun; imagine an activity that encourages communication and relationship building. Special attention will be paid to organizations that submit interactive, playful ideas that do not involve strictly passing out literature or other informational handouts. 

Volunteer

Playful Pittsburgh is in need of volunteers to help throughout the day. Assistance is needed for set up, registration, game and playground support, teardown, and more. View descriptions of each volunteer role.

Anyone interested in volunteering can fill out the sign up form and indicate the role that they are interested in.

More Information

If you have any questions, contact Adam James Zahren, Program Director, Playful Pittsburgh at adam@tryingtogether.org.

Join Playful Pittsburgh at NFL PLAY 60

Children of all ages are invited to the NFL PLAY 60 Training Camp at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum on Saturday, February 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..

About NFL PLAY 60

Gear up for an action-packed experience at the NFL PLAY 60 Training Camp, sponsored by DICK’S Sporting Goods, on Saturday, Feb. 3! Children of all ages are invited to get up and get active with the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum for a football-fueled day of fun.

Playful Pittsburgh will be at the event with oversized games for all to enjoy. Other activities include:

• A mini-NFL Combine, where you can test your speed in the 40-yard dash, assess your passing accuracy. and challenge your agility in a series of quick-hitting drills

• Physical challenges located throughout the Sports Museum

• A touchdown celebration contest

This event is presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL PLAY 60, the National Football League’s health and fitness campaign to encourage young fans to be active for at least 60 minutes each day.

Register

All NFL PLAY 60 Training Camp activities and access to History Center exhibitions are free for children ages 17 and younger. Parents and caregivers are invited to be spectators and cheer on their players as they participate.

Regular admission applies for adult visitors. For additional questions, please contact programs@heinzhistorycenter.org.

Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. Register.

Westinghouse Park Selected as One of 19 Nature Everywhere Communities

The City of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, Westinghouse Academy, Homewood Children’s Village, and Operation Better Block, has been selected as one of 19 U.S. Nature Everywhere Communities by The Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities, and KABOOM!.

About

The Nature Everywhere Initiative aims to increase equitable access to a healthy, natural world by working to reduce disparities in housing, employment, food, health, and education. Nature Everywhere Communities will receive two years of strategic planning, technical support, and start-up funding to develop and implement community-driven plans for connecting children and families to nature-based experiences and learning.

The City will focus its funding on developing Westinghouse Park through a community process that elevates community safety, youth leadership, and school partnerships. They are looking to prioritize equitable access to nature for Black youth in East Pittsburgh by engaging the community, particularly Black youth, in the design of local parks. With a current focus on Westinghouse Park, the team plans to target its efforts in creating new models that engage local communities and youth in park development, using the existing park development tax.

As a first step, the East End Pittsburgh team joined eight other communities for a Nature Everywhere Vision Lab in Austin, Texas in November 2023, to explore proven nature connection strategies and connect with technical assistance experts from the Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities, and KABOOM!. Over the next two years, the Pittsburgh team will:

• Engage youth and community residents in creating visions for equitable access to nature

• Map community stakeholders, assets, and gaps

• Conduct funding and policy scans

• Identify the best nature connection strategies for the Pittsburgh community

• Build and deepen regional partnerships

• Develop and begin implementing an outdoor inclusion and access plan

Throughout the process, East End Pittsburgh and other Nature Everywhere community teams will have access to a national peer learning network; technical assistance; case-making research; resources, case studies, and planning tools; seed grants of up to $50,000; and eventually, access to larger catalytic grants for implementation. Nature Everywhere partners (Children & Nature Network, National League of Cities, and KABOOM!) will also help communities track outcomes and communicate the impact of their work both locally and nationally.

For more details, read a press release issued by the City of Pittsburgh.

How To Play and Celebrate MLK Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is January 15 this year and we are ready to celebrate! Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates the life of this instrumental American historical figure who dedicated his life to ending segregation and racism in the United States. 

Playful Pittsburgh wanted to provide some developmentally appropriate and productive ways to teach your children about this important day. 

Books: 

• MLK 360: A Children’s Booklist About Dr. King’s Legacy, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Preschoolers, Kids Care Club

• Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together

Activities: 

• Martin Luther King Jr., Day Free Coloring Pages, Crayola

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Crafts and Activities, Kids Care Club’s Pinterest

• 15 Inspiring MLK Day Jr. Day Crafts, Artsy Craftsy Mom

A few more:

• Sesame Street: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sesame Street