6. Audubon Earth Day: Day of Service to the Planet at various locations: April 21
Head outdoors for a day of volunteering and family fun during Audubon Earth Day: Day of Service to the Planet. Hosted by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, the event encourages families and community groups in the region to roll up their sleeves and help clean and beautify public green spaces in Fox Chapel, Butler and Sarver. Remove invasive species, return native plants and trees to the ecosystem, or spruce up local trails
Visit the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania website to register for a Day of Service to the Planet event near you. Admission is free and all ages can participate.
7. YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Annual Healthy Kids Day at various locations: April 21
YMCAs across the country, including 10 in Pittsburgh, will invite communities to a day dedicated to families and children. The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Annual Healthy Kids Day aims to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer by moving, learning and adopting healthy habits. Among the activities are parent and child exercise classes, police and fire safety demonstrations, aquatic activities, games, healthy eating and cooking tips, arts and crafts, and much more. The participating Ys will also offer tips on how families can read, play and volunteer together.
Free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at most locations.
8. Pittsburgh Retro Gaming Convention at the Ace Hotel: April 21-22
Video game enthusiasts young and old should head to the Ace Hotel for the Pittsburgh Retro Gaming Convention. Whether you grew up with pinball, Nintendo or Xbox, the all-ages event offers plenty of gaming fun, including demonstrations, live music and vendors. Expose the little ones to some classic games or revisit that side-scroller you used to spend hours trying to beat at one of the event’s free-play stations. Show off your skills during tournaments for Super Smash Bros. Melee or Street Fighter IV, or peruse a selection of consoles, game cartridges and other gaming products for sale. The event will help raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Tickets range in price from $12-30.
9. Pittsburgh Superhero Run 2018 at the North Park Pool Loop: April 28
Members of the Avengers, Justice League and other caped (and non-caped) crusaders will come together when the Pittsburgh Superhero Run returns to North Park Pool Loop in Allison Park. Hosted by The Superhero Foundation, an organization that raises awareness about child abuse prevention, the all-ages event invites participants to run or walk as their favorite superhero, supervillain or heroic character through either a 5K Run/Walk or a 1K Family Run. Friendly pets are welcome.
Registration for the morning event costs $25 for the 5K Run or Walk, and $15 for the 1K Family Run (prices increase after March 31). All proceeds benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Allegheny County.
10. Rainforest Adventure at the National Aviary: April 28 – 29
Bring the whole family when the National Aviary presents its Rainforest Adventure. Learn about the rainforest and its incredible ecosystem with a host of crafts and activities. Meet feathered and furry friends, including a two-toed sloth, or sit down for story time with a live bird appearance. Take in one of the new Amazing Amazon free-flight shows in the Helen M. Schmidt FliteZoneTM Theater, where audiences learn about the fragile beauty of the Amazon through dramatic video, theatrical presentations and interactions with rainforest animals and birds.
All Rainforest Adventure activities are included with regular National Aviary admission. Amazing Amazon show is $5 per ticket.
Honorable mentions:
41st Annual Beaver County Maple Syrup Festival: April 7
Storytelling with Motoko at Alphabet City: April 7
Youth Cupcake Bake-Off & Fundraiser at the Jeron X. Grayson Center: April 7
Gemini Children’s Theater presents Rapunzel: April 7-22
Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories at various locations: April 10-16
Learning Party: Earth Play! at Assemble: April 11
Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour! at the Benedum Center: April 15
Let’s Move! Family Dance Party at Kelly Strayhorn: April 21
Wilkins Block Party in Schenley Park: April 21
Family Canvas Workshop at Hatch Art Studio: April 22
August Wilson Birthday Block Party in the Hill District: April 28
Seek-N-Build: Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt at Assemble: April 29
May Day Eve Commemoration at the Bulgarian Macedonian Cultural Center: April 30