8. Hay Day at Hartwood Acres: Sept. 21
Start the harvest season off right at Hartwood Acres. From noon to 4 p.m. enjoy free hay rides, a hay maze, crafts, a barnyard petting zoo, airbrush tattoos, caricatures, inflatables, puppet shows, a magician and much more. Food trucks will be on-site to feed hungry families.
9. Rosh Hashanah Kids Farmer’s Market at JCC of Greater Pittsburgh South Hills: Sept. 22
Young foodies ages 3 to 11 can get their hands on farm fresh goodies and learn recipes for Rosh Hashanah’s culinary treats during the Kids Farmer’s Market held at the Jewish Community Center’s South Hills location. From 2:30 to 4 p.m., attendees can visit each market stand, collecting recipes in personalized tote bags for holiday treats such as round artisan challah, apple mocktails, carrot cake pops and fruit salad. Register before Sept. 2 for only $5 per child.
10. ToyPAlooza at The Circuit Center and Ballroom: Sept. 22
D and E Collectibles invites kids (and kids at heart) to an event celebrating playtime. At ToyPAlooza on the South Side, there will be 103 tables filled with collectible toys, comics, video games and more. The show runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $5, while early birds get in at 10 a.m. for $8 and kids 12 and under are free.
11. Dollar Bank Junior Great Race at Point State Park, Downtown: Sept. 28
Lace up your running shoes for the 24th annual Dollar Bank Junior Great Race. Kids 12 and younger will be pounding the pavement in several events, including the one-mile Family Fun Run, a 50-yard Tot Trot and Diaper Dash. All registered participants will receive a medal and a T-shirt. Registration is $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event for each child.
12. WaterWorks at North Park: Sept. 28
Ingomar Living Waters, an outreach ministry of Ingomar Church, is hosting its second WaterWorks event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Point Shelter in North Park. Youngsters (and their parents) will learn about the global water crisis through hands-on games and activities, such as rubber ducky races and an obstacle course.
13. Free admission to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab: Sept. 29
Each year, the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) sponsors RADical Days, offering the public free admission, tours, performances and activities at the organizations and attractions it helps to fund. On Sept. 29, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and its new sister facility MuseumLab will waive admission fees from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Create art, experiment, try out the latest technology and more … all at no cost!
Honorable Mentions:
Hop into History at Heinz History Center
Ligonier Highland Games at Idlewild & SoakZone
Super Science Saturday: Fall Fest at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Princesses in the Park at Schenley Park