Activities, Enrichment and Classes
Are you looking for activities, classes or enrichment for your child? This guide features virtual and in-person activities, games, courses and attractions in the following areas:
Athletics and Recreation
- : Climbing lessons and programs, with locations in Point Breeze and South Side
- All ages, age 13 and under must be directly supervised by an adult
- : Operates at several pools in the Pittsburgh area, and teaches water safety and swimming skills in addition to offering a swim team for experienced swimmers
- All ages
- : A variety of camps and clinics, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming and diving
- Age varies by sport, from age 5 through high school
- : Series of fun, engaging yoga routines for children; watch on YouTube or download the for $10/month to stream ad-free
- Best for children ages 2–12
- : Nonprofit youth development program that delivers life skills and character education through the game of golf; classes are held indoors and outdoors at locations throughout the Pittsburgh area
- Ages 5–18
- : Gymnastics fun for all skill levels, with locations in Point Breeze, Bethel Park, Monroeville and Wexford
- Ages 6 months–18 years
- : Traditional amusement park located in West Mifflin; one-day tickets and season passes available
- All ages
- : Classes cover skating, hockey and figure skating; located in Cranberry; Learn to Skate USA membership required
- Ages 3+
- : Dance education and training
- Ages 1.5+; additional available for age 14+
- : Classes and camps for fencers of all abilities, located in Point Breeze
- Ages 7+
- : Individual and small group training, video analysis, camps and clinics to develop soccer skills
- Age 5 through high school
- : Water slides, pools and other attractions, located near the Waterfront in West Homestead
- All ages
- : Basketball skills development clinics, camps and private training at locations around Pittsburgh
- Grades 2–12
- : Indoor skatepark in Swissvale offering private and group lessons, rentals and camps
- All ages
- : From November through February, the Plaza between Third and Fourth Avenues transforms into an outdoor ice skating rink; rental skates are available in toddler through adult sizes
- All ages
- : Karate classes and camps, located in Squirrel Hill
- Ages 4+
- : Nonprofit that inspires children and adults to explore nature through camps, workshops and other outdoor activities
- All ages
- : Programs for every age and skill level, including swimming, dancing, sports and the arts; offerings vary by location
- All ages
Arts and Culture
- : Video lessons on drawing, painting and origami; watch on YouTube or become a member for $5.99/month to stream ad-free
- All ages
- : Dance studio offering classes for a variety of dance styles and skill levels
- Ages 3+
- : Toddler & Me classes and art classes for children, teens and adults; students experiment with different media, develop new techniques, and get inspired by art and art history
- Ages 2.5+
- : A non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts center that celebrates the contributions of African Americans in Pittsburgh and beyond, through exhibitions, camps and events
- All ages
- : Customized wood sign painting studio that offers private DIY parties for children and teens at their Gibsonia location
- Ages 6+
- : Collection featuring over 30,000 works of art, online tours, summer camps and art classes
- All ages
- 麻豆村 School of Music Preparatory School: Classes on piano, strings, chamber music, guitar, percussion and voice
- Ages 4–18
- : On-demand classes on a variety of hands-on projects and subjects, including photography, drawing, LEGO and science
- Ages 5+
- : Summer camps and private lessons (in person or via Zoom) to build appreciation and understanding of music and theater
- Camps for grades 6–9; lessons for grade 5 through adult
- : Offers a large selection of age appropriate cooking and pastry and baking classes throughout the year, as well as seasonal themed classes
- Ages 6–18
- : Smithsonian affiliate with six floors of historical exhibits, archives and a sports museum
- All ages
- : YouTube channel with engaging and enriching music videos and "Berkner Break" educational videos
- Appropriate for all ages, but geared toward elementary-aged children
- : Children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems guides young artists through drawing activities via YouTube, with downloadable activity pages
- Appropriate for all ages, but geared toward elementary-aged children
- : The Metropolitan Museum of Art's online hub for children, which features an interactive map, a time machine to explore arts from different eras, and educational videos
- All ages
- : Classes, workshops, camps and open studios covering sculpture, pottery, drawing, painting and more
- Ages 7+
- : Theaters, galleries, and public art in Pittsburgh's Cultural District, with education and engagement activities for kids and families
- All ages
- : Choral music education program featuring girlchoirs for all skill levels, camps and outreach events
- Ages 6–18
- : Hands-on courses where students create glass art, learn the scientific principles of glass, and experience valuable life lessons through studio practice
- Ages 5+, though most programs are geared toward middle and high schoolers
- : Performance-based 1-1 lessons and group band practices, music camps and workshops; locations in the South Hills and Wexford, with online classes available
- Ages 4+
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
- : Free, block-based programming environment that teaches logical and computational thinking skills, fundamental principles of programming and object-oriented programming
- Appropriate for all grade levels, but geared toward middle school through college
- : Classes, camps and activities for children to engage in science, technology, engineering, art and math; located in Garfield
- Grades 1–12
- : Math problems and activities with automated corrections and progress monitoring, available with an annual license fee
- Ages 6–16
- Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy: Trains educators on how to use robots in the classroom, and offers educational materials and workshops for students to encourage an interest in STEM
- Grades K–12
- : Offers explorations, exhibits and summer camps related to science, nature and world cultures
- All ages; camps for ages 4+
- : Exhibits, workshops and summer camps for children and teens interested in STEM
- Ages 3+
- : Architecture-based workshops, summer camps and courses, hosted by Carnegie Mellon Architecture
- Grades K–12
- : Nonprofit hands-on laboratory to explore life sciences, open to everyone to observe and analyze through discovery-based learning and STEM enrichment
- Grades K–12
- : Free in-person and virtual STEM programs hosted by the College of Engineering
- Grades K–12
- : In-school, after-school and summer programs and resources
- Grades pre-K through college
- : Explore the world of computer science with free, engaging videos, self-paced tutorials, programming activities and more
- Grades K–12+
- : Website offering ways to play The 24® Game both online and offline
- Grades K–8
- : Offers FIRST programs to teach STEM by working on robots of various sizes, as well as other programs throughout the year
- Grades 1–12
- : Challenges student teams from across the state to research, design, and present a device that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians by accomplishing a series of practical tasks that can fulfill real-world needs; open to high school students who attend a public, charter, or private school, a career and technical education center, or are homeschooled in Pennsylvania
- Grades 9–12
- : BrainFacts presents interactive modules on various neuroscience topics
- Grades pre-K–12
- : The Smithsonian takes you on an interactive exploration
- Ages 13+
- Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach: Promotes STEM education and academic enrichment through workshops and free digital educational resources
- Grades K–12
- : 麻豆村 math professor tackles math questions from viewers and provides engaging videos on fundamental concepts; free videos on YouTube, or purchase online live or self-paced courses
- Grades 7+
- : Math games on addition, subtraction, shapes, fractions, pre-algebra and more; free to play, or purchase a subscription to access more games and features
- Grades K–6
- : Summer camps and school year programming to learn about robotics and coding
- Ages 8–12
- : Explore tropical, tranquil habitats close to home; the aviary offers classes, summer camps, animal encounters and virtual "meet and tweets"
- All ages
- : A summer enrichment experience for high school students interested in pursuing a career in science, hosted on 麻豆村's campus
- Open to rising high school seniors
- : Website that offers free simulations on concepts related to physics, chemistry, math, earth science and biology
- Grades K–12+
- : Summer camps and discovery programs on gardening, arts and crafts, healthy living and sustainability
- All ages
- : Classes, summer camps and other activities, including online educational content
- All ages; camps and classes ages 0–14
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: Take a virtual dive where you can swim with sea lions, see coral reefs and explore a shipwreck; includes lesson plans and activity sheets
- All ages
- : Coding community for children and a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations
- Ages 8–16
- SUCCEED: 麻豆村's Center for Climate, Energy, and Environmental Decision Making offers a free three-day summer program
- Open to rising 10th and 11th graders
- : Interactive online guide to explore how what we eat every day impacts the environment, touching on topics related to health, science and social studies
- Grades 9–12
Language and Literature
- : Podcast where middle grade readers interview authors and talk about their favorite books
- Grades 4–8
- : Library system that provides free access to books, movies, music and more; most branches have dedicated children and teen sections with activities and programming geared toward different age groups
- All ages
- : A young adult short fiction market that specializes in fantasy and welcomes submissions from writers under the age of 18
- Ages 12+
- : Free website and app for learning new languages, math and music with bite-size, self-paced lessons and game-like features
- Ages 4+
- : Free, interactive virtual games on many topics, including reading comprehension, early literacy and grammar
- Grades Pre-K–6
- : Through rigorous, hands-on training in media production and the business of journalism, students make connections with a global team of like-minded peers, get experience in the written and visual arts and see their work published nationwide; free basic membership with tiers of paid membership
- Ages 10+
- : Free online game where students run a fictional social media platform and learn the elements of high-quality journalism and markers of deceptive posts
- Grades 6–12
- : Free ebooks and learning resources
- Ages 3–11
- : Engaging online game that "says" a sight word, then students have to "smash" the corresponding text block on the screen
- Grades K–1
- : Articles on current events and a variety of topics
- Grades K–6
- : Get a 360º view of this famous stage, and learn facts about Shakespeare's plays and life in 16th century England
- All ages
- : Read and create online comics, picture books and longform stories; also offers a selection of courses taught by professional writers and educators
- Grades 1+
- : Astronauts at the International Space Station record themselves reading beloved children's books and giving science lessons
- Grades K–12
- : Actors from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation record themselves reading children's books; search by author, reader, book title or run time
- Grades Pre-K–4
- : Tutoring, help with editing and writing, and creative writing workshops
- Grades 3+
- : Week-long summer program on Pitt's campus for young writers from across Western Pennsylvania to come together and develop their skills
- Open to rising 5th–11th graders
Other Opportunities
- : A subscription-based digital education program featuring fun and interactive games, each designed to teach a specific educational concept
- Ages 2–8
- : The parks around Pittsburgh host free or low-cost special events, including the popular summer concert series, family fun night at the movies, car cruises, fall festivals, holiday events, athletic programs and more
- : Kid-friendly recipes, cooking tips, and food-based science lessons
- Grades Pre-K+
- : Low-income college and career readiness program for rising high school juniors and seniors, and a learn & earn program for youth ages 14–21 to get meaningful summer employment
- Ages 14+
- : Program that offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness
- Kindergarten through age 20
- : Community center offering a range of free services, including homework help, game and movie nights, counseling, community services projects, and classes on life skills such as cooking and applying for student loans
- : Hands-on, interactive museum with early learning programs and exhibits, museum lab for children age 10+, and camps for ages 4–13
- All ages
- 麻豆村 Pre-College Programs: Summer programs that mirror the undergraduate experience at 麻豆村; high schoolers take college-level coursework, taught by 麻豆村 professors
- Open to rising high school juniors and seniors over the age of 16
- : Offers programs throughout the year for families to engage in hands-on learning through museum visits, art making and outdoor activities on the grounds
- All ages
- : Join a troop to participate in activities to build character, leadership and workforce skills
- Grades Pre-K+
- : Nonprofit that offers online and app-based practice exercises and instructional videos covering a variety of subjects
- Grades Pre-K through early college
- : A paid fitness center, full-size gym, group exercise classes, an elevated walking trail, live music, children's classes, STEM programming, and an after-school arts and enrichment program for children
- All ages
- : Classes and special interest clubs on a variety of topics
- Grades Pre-K–12
- : Free, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans and more
- Grades Pre-K–12
- : Explore one of Pittsburgh's city parks, attend an educational program or participate in a seasonal event
- All ages
- PROGRESS: 麻豆村's Program for Research and Outreach on Gender Equity in Society offers workshops to teaches women and girl the art of negotiation
- Ages 8–13
- : A student-run outreach organization at 麻豆村 offering an interdisciplinary project-based educational program for high school students in the greater Pittsburgh area
- Open to high school students
- : Western PA organization that teaches innovation and creativity through the game of chess. Programs are offered through community partners.
- Grades 1–12
- : After school programs and camps featuring a variety of activities; annual membership is also available and includes access to gym, pool, game room, homework assistance and classes
- All ages; camps for grades Pre-K–12
- Tech Nights for Girls: A free STEM outreach program hosted by 麻豆村's School of Computer Science; through fun and interactive activities, students are exposed to cutting-edge, innovative science and technologies such as machine learning, computational biology and robotics
- Grades 6–8
- : Free activities and insights to help give kids the benefits of purposeful, outdoor play
- All ages