Playful Pittsburgh Launches Playful Resource Series

Playful Pittsburgh, in collaboration with Trying Together, has launched the first part of its Playful Resource Series, a collection of resources designed to educate and to advocate for play for all. The resource series will cover topics such as the benefits of play, how people of all ages can better incorporate play into daily life, advocating for equity in play, and more.

Modeled after Trying Together’s 12-part Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Resource Series, the Playful Resource Series includes a digital library of curated resources with printable and interactive tools that are organized by a variety of play types and issues relating to different age groups.

“Play is Learning” is the focus of the first part of this series, and future topics and related resources will be released periodically through 2027 on the Playful Resource Series’ web page.

Learn More: Play is Learning

The first topic covered in the series is “Play is Learning.” In this part, readers can explore resources that feature information on:

• The benefits and necessity of play for healthy brain development

• How play supports cognitive development over time

• How people develop executive functions through play

Any questions regarding the series should be emailed to playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org. 

Challenge Invites Children to Submit Toy and Game Inventions

The People of Play Young Inventor Challenge is inviting children to register and submit toy and game inventions for consideration.

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The annual challenge provides an opportunity for children, ages 6 to 18, to develop and pitch their original inventions to major toy and game companies as well as industry professionals, members of the media, and the public.

The challenge is an educational experience that utilizes participants’ imagination, creativity, and presentation skills. It also provides a means of taking their inventions before People of Play industry experts, who will provide critiques. 

Many of the winning inventions from the challenge have been licensed by global companies and are now sold in stores.

More Details

Children must submit their inventions no later than Sunday, Oct. 27. In-person presentations and awards will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9. There is a $25 registration fee per participant.

Registration is now open.

Pittsburgh Offers Festivals and Fun for Families This Fall

With fall well underway, there are several fun activities for children and their caregivers in the Pittsburgh region over the next few months.

Fall Festivals

For youngsters who don’t frighten easily, Kennywood’s new Phantom Fall Fest runs on select dates through Oct. 27. The event includes food, seven haunted houses, four scare zones, and other thematic activities.

Mars Applefest, which takes place on Oct. 4, offers a variety of food, fun, shopping, games, crafts, entertainment, and more than 150 vendors.

The Confluence PumpkinFest in Laurel Highlands runs from Oct. 4 to 6. The festival features a PumpkinFest Queen Pageant, a 5K run/walk, an antique and classic auto show, a parade, and a large pumpkin contest.

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ Fall Flower Show, which runs from Oct. 5 to 27, features a theme this year of Rhythm and Blooms. Every room at Phipps is inspired by a different musical genre and is accompanied by chrysanthemums in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort’s Autumnfest, which runs from Oct. 5 to 20, is a great locale for fall foliage. Visitors can ride the chairlift for an aerial view as well as shop from local artisans and crafters and listen to live music.

Zelienople’s Annual Country Fall Festival, which runs from Oct. 12 to 13, features two days of musical entertainment, three towers of paranormal ghost walks, pumpkin and costume contests, chainsaw carving, a petting zoo, free horse-drawn wagon rides, and historic encampments and demonstrations. 

CitiParks’ Track and Treat for Kids will encourage attendees to bring a bike or borrow one for this event at the Bud Harris Cycling Track. The event will include refreshments, food trucks, and more.

The Bit Bridge Halloween Showcase enables local developers to demonstrate their games in Pittsburgh. Costumes are encouraged for the event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 20.

The Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival, which takes place on Oct. 19 and 20, will include a “Costume Caper” 5K run/walk, a pumpkin regatta, a pumpkin pie eating contest, and giant pumpkin sculptures. This year’s event will take place in the Strip District, at 3 Crossings Campus along 28th and 29th streets.

Buzzword will explore its latest word, GLIDE, during a bug-themed family-friendly event. Children and their caregivers will take part in interactive activities from the Carnegie Science Center.

More events can be found on Allegheny County’s website.

Local Farms and Fall-Time Produce

There are a number of opportunities to take part in fun activities or pick autumn produce at local farms.

Soergels Orchards is hosting its annual fall festivals from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 27. Apple picking is among the activities offered at the farm.

Trax Farms is hosting a pumpkin carving contest and will host its annual fall festival activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 27. Hayrides are also available for visitors to the farm.

Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse is offering a pumpkin decorating station every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can also enjoy the farm’s Storytime events on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Triple B Farms’ Acres of Family Fun will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The farm’s apple orchards and flower fields are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Attendees can also pick pumpkins.

Other Activities

But there are numerous other activities for children and their caregivers to take part in this fall. There are numerous ways to view the beautiful fall foliage, from bike rides to guided train rides.

Hayrides and corn mazes are available during many fall festival events or at local farms. 

As Halloween approaches, children can create their own Halloween costumes with the help of an adult. Other crafts that could be fun for both children and their caregivers include decorating acorns or creating fall decorations with crafts as well as taking fall photography. 

Visit Pittsburgh is a great resource for finding fall activities in the city and region.

Carnegie Library Announces Science Programs for Children

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is launching Super Science programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

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Super Science programs not only teach children about science, but also show them how to actively explore, experiment, and discover answers to questions, from how fossils form to how geological forces shape mountains.

The programs pair books with hands-on STEM activities that promote scientific inquiry while igniting wonder about the world of science. 

Some of the topics covered in Super Science programs include:

• Animal Features and Adaptations

• Bugs

• Physics

• Paleontology

• Geology

• Human Anatomy

The complete lineup of the Carnegie Library’s Super Science programs is available on its website.

Allegheny County Parks Announces Fall Concert Series

Allegheny County Parks has announced four upcoming shows to be held on Saturdays in September and October for its Fall Concert series. 

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All events are free and weather permitting. The concerts run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays in September and October. Attendees should bring chairs, blankets, and snacks.

Concerts in the series include:

• Sept. 14: Jazzmania (South Park Amphitheater, 3700 Farmshow Drive, South Park Township)

• Sept. 21: Anton DeFade Quintet (Harrison Hills Park Yakaon Shelter, off Park Lane, Natrona Heights)

• Sept. 28: The Beagle Brothers (White Oak Park, Tulip Tree Shelter, off White Oak Park Extension, White Oak)

• Oct. 5: Bobby Thompson and The Chosen Few (Round Hill Park Visitors Center, 651 Round Hill Road, Elizabeth Township)

For more information, take a look at the Fall Concert Series calendar.

Virtual Sessions to Focus on Book Centered Around Wonder and Fred Rogers

Two free virtual book study sessions will be held in September and October surrounding the release of a new book on the subjects of wonder and Fred Rogers.

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The events will involve discussion of “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids” by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. The authors will take part in both sessions.

The book covers the importance of wonder for children. It cites Rogers’ - of Pittsburgh-based TV show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” - ability to spark a sense of wonder in children. The book also covers how Rogers encouraged and nurtured children’s play and helped learners to manage their feelings and try new things.

The sessions will be held on:

• Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET

• Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET

Registration is now open for the event. More information on the book can be found on Remake Learning’s website.