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Plan for a fabulous February with our comprehensive guide to kid-focused events. Dinosaurs, circus magic and a special “Star Wars” show are part of the program. The forecast ahead calls for a good mood with a 98% chance of joy.
Be sure to pack your masks and visit each organization’s website and social media to keep up to date with Covid protocols and safety guidelines.
Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures.
1. February 6: Avi, Words & Pictures (virtual)
Kids will get a new perspective on the Revolutionary War with Avi’s new novel, “Loyalty.” A young British Loyalist flees to Boston with his family after his father is killed by rebel militiamen. Wanting to avenge his father, he becomes a spy for the British. But after witnessing hypocrisy and conflicting information, he struggles to determine where to place his loyalties. Avi, a Newberry Medalist and author of over 70 books, is the latest virtual presentation in the Words & Pictures series from Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. Tickets are free and the event can be seen throughout the week.
Image courtesy of the Heinz History Center.
2. February 9: Jump into History: Jazz it Up, Heinz History Center
Young learners ages 2-5 and their adults explore the city’s local history during the Heinz History Center’s Hop into History series. This month, the spotlight is on Pittsburgh’s contributions to jazz through the story of legendary singer Dakota Staton. Instruments will be available for children to accompany Staton’s songs and compose their own jazzy tunes. The $20 registration covers two children and two adults and provides one-day admission to the history center.
Photo courtesy of Jurassic Quest.
3. February 11-13: Jurassic Quest, David L. Lawrence Convention Center
When Jurassic Quest visited Pittsburgh in June, families walked through an outdoor dinosaur exhibit. Now your dinosaur-crazed kids can walk alongside more than 100 life-size animatronic dinosaurs inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This exciting event includes interactive science activities, themed rides and dinosaur shows. Timed tickets, sold in advance, cost $22, with unlimited admission tickets priced at $36.
Photo by Joshua Franzos courtesy of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
4. February 12: Super Science Saturday: We Love Nature, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Forget Valentine’s Day. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History welcomes families to celebrate Palentine Day. The fun is part of this month’s Super Science Saturday event, which explores the bonds between creatures that help each other as buddies. Consider the birds that clean the teeth of crocodiles and the ants that tend to aphids. Activities are free with general admission to the museum. No registration is required, but advance tickets are suggested.
Photo courtesy of Cirque Mechanics.
5. February 12-13: Cirque Mechanics at Birdhouse Factory, Byham Theater
Cirque Mechanics is inspired by the style of Diego Rivera, the fascinating complexity of the creations of Rube Goldberg and the burlesque humor of Charlie Chaplin. With this crazy mix of influences, the company’s Birdhouse Factory tour offers a stylized comedic circus performance with startling effects: a contortionist performs on a spinning turntable powered by unicyclists and a trapeze artist is controlled by an acrobat inside. of a giant gear. The EQT Bridge Theater Series show is recommended for ages 6 and up. Tickets are $12.
Image courtesy of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
6. February 12 and 26: Hip Hop Camp: Go DJ Sessions, August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Under the guidance of educator Lex Gonzales, kids ages 10-18 will learn the basics of DJing using Serato DJ software. Both sessions will cover skills such as beat matching, mixing, sampling and creating song collection “crates”. Both sessions will be presented on Zoom, followed by a virtual concert on March 5. Registration is free and includes a gift bag. Don’t delay: class sizes are limited.
Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
7. Ongoing: The Pigeon Comes to Pittsburgh: An Exhibition by Mo Willems, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. February 19-20: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (the musical)”, Byham Theater
Perfect timing! The star of Mo Willems’ beloved “Pigeon” picture book series is charming fans in two fun ways this month. The Children’s Museum’s traveling exhibit, The Pigeon Comes to Pittsburgh, created in collaboration with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, recently came home with all the interactive whimsy and humor we love. Pigeon also stars alongside Elephant and Piggie in the comedic musical version of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” February 19 and 20 at the Byham Theatre. The stage show incorporates actors, puppets and songs. Tickets are $12. Ideal for giggly kids aged 3+.
