It’s time to head outside for some fun family activities. From a children’s theater festival to a weeklong celebration of innovation in learning, there’s something for everyone this month.

Kids Day at PNC Park.
Kids Day at PNC Park.

Kids Day at PNC Park: May 1

Baseball season will go into full swing with Kids Day at PNC Park. Little ones can have some fun before the game at the #1 Cochran Family Fun Zone on Federal Street. Inside the park, fans age 14 and under will receive a commemorative Andrew McCutchen Silver Slugger Plastic Bat with paid admission. After the final inning, kids can pretend to be their favorite players when they rush onto the field for a chance to Run the Bases.

Federal Street activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit the Pirates website for more details and ticket prices.

Things to do in Lawrenceville
Photo by Rob Larson.

Mother’s Day Weekend in Lawrenceville: May 6—8

The whole family should head to Lawrenceville for the neighborhood’s Mother’s Day Weekend. Mom can indulge in discounts and freebies at 54 participating businesses all along Butler Street. For the foodie mom, there are brunch deals, wine tastings and sweet treats at various restaurants, bars and bakeries. Take advantage of special deals on gifts and services at Wildcard, Love Bikes and Metamorphosis. The event will also offer activities for kids and moms to enjoy together, including Mom and Me make-up classes at The Gilded Girl, Mommy and Me Yoga at Shining Light, and puppet shows at the Teddy Bear Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Mother’s Day Weekend in Lawrenceville will begin on Friday, May 6 and continue through Sunday, May 8. Some activities require registration.

Things to do in Millvale
Photo by Kate Buckley.

Millvale May Days: May 6—7

The Business Association of Millvale (BAM) will present a weekend full of activities for Millvale May Days. The free event will feature self-guided tours of 30 stops in Millvale’s business district, where guests can check out sales, specials and raffles. Also included are horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and opportunities in GAP Park to learn about Millvale’s plan for a sustainable future. BAM will also provide tour maps to mark off for a chance to win one of three grand prizes.

Millvale May Days will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 6 and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Grand prize winners will be announced at 5 p.m. during the Saturday Post Party at the Millvale Library.

Vegan Fest. Photo by Sandie Sajner.
Pittsburgh Vegan Fest. Photo by Sandie Sajner.

Pittsburgh Vegan Festival: May 6—7

Vegan and non-vegans alike can attend two days of food and fun at the North Hills Unitarian Universalist Church during the Pittsburgh Vegan Festival. The all-ages event will begin on Friday, May 6 with an opening party and the RE-Model Gala, an art and dance fashion show featuring belly dancers modeling designs by local artists who work with recycled materials.

The event continues on Saturday, May 7 with a full day of vegan cuisine, live entertainment and over two dozen vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry to astrology consultations. Among the available food items are vegan hot dogs from Onion Maiden, Indian fare from Sree’s Foods, and empanadas from Salud Pgh. Especially for kids, there’s story time, an art activity, play time, and more.

The Pittsburgh Vegan Festival will kick off on Friday, May 6 with an opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. The event continues on Saturday, May 7 from 12 to 7 p.m. Tickets for the opening party are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door, and free for kids 12 and under. Admission to the Saturday main event costs $5 at the door (free for kids 12 and under).

Remake Learning Days: May 9 – 15

At the Children's Museum.
At the Children’s Museum.
At the Children’s Museum.

During Remake Learning Days, a first for Pittsburgh, kids and families can experience first-hand the revolution underway in the future of education in our region. With hundreds of events on tap, all categorized by audience (children and families, for one), this is your chance to explore the world of hands-on and technology-based learning including STEM and STEAM – that’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math. From STEM all hands on tech at the Carnegie Library to Family Maker Night, there’s plenty  to do in this  weeklong celebration showcasing everything that makes the Pittsburgh region a  national leader in innovative teaching and learning.

Find events everywhere from schools and museums to universities and tech startups, all free and open for you to explore. Check the schedule and plan your week!

Goodnight Moon. Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser
Goodnight Moon at EQT Children’s Theater Festival. Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser
Goodnight Moon at EQT Children’s Theater Festival. Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser

EQT Children’s Theater Festival in the Cultural District: May 12—15

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will celebrate 30 years of bringing outstanding children’s programming to Pittsburgh with the latest EQT Children’s Theater Festival. Organized by the Children’s Theater Series, the event will roll out productions by eight award-winning theater companies from Canada, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Peru and Scotland. As part of the festivities, the Cultural District will also offer a wide array of hands-on activities, public art and music at a variety of outdoor, pop-up green spaces and indoor lobbies.

Performances will take place at the Byham Theater, EQT Plaza at 625 Liberty Ave., the August Wilson Center and the Trust Arts Education Center.

Pizza from Driftwood oven.
Pizza from Driftwood Oven.
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Amanda Waltz is a freelance journalist and film critic whose work has appeared locally in numerous publications. She writes for The Film Stage and is the founder and editor of Steel Cinema, a blog dedicated to covering Pittsburgh film culture. She currently lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and oversized house cat.