8 things to do with kids this week in Pittsburgh, from corny jokes to maker mania

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

The force is strong in Pittsburgh’s maker world as more educators organize programs for hands-on experimentation. We have a great selection of maker programming this week, along with a YA author visit and some of the corniest jokes around. Don’t miss these and other things to do with kids this week.

1. Click into the Children’s Museum (at home)

Inventive kids who love hands-on making and learning will find a wealth of outlets through the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab. Starting this week, museum teaching artists will engage kids in a series of more than 100 age-specific workshops. Subjects range from creative making projects and engineering to art techniques and outdoor exploration. Each workshop is capped at 12-20 kids to allow personal interaction. Prices vary, with a sliding scale as well as the chance to pay it forward. Browse through the museum calendar to find classes like Rocketry 101, Cardboard Challenge and Counting Stitches — and watch for early registration deadlines.

2. Explore the history of cars (in person)

If staying at home is driving your family crazy, head to the Car and Carriage Museum at The Frick Pittsburgh for a free, Covid-safe outing. These beautiful, shiny vehicles provide a fascinating look at the first horseless carriages of the early 20th century and Pittsburgh’s place in automotive history. The collection includes the kind of car driven by Cruella de Vil and a sweet little auto we think Roger Rabbit would love. Register here for your free, timed tickets and choose your favorite.

3. Take flight (in person)

January’s Super Science Saturday at Carnegie Museum of Natural History spotlights the history of flight in nature on Jan. 30. Kids will learn how creatures great and small utilize the wind and air for transportation. Participants will also explore flight in birds, bugs and even prehistoric beasts like pterosaurs. The Super Science Saturday program is free with general admission timed tickets.

4. Make a pinecone owl (at home)

This Little Sprouts virtual program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens focuses on kids ages 2-4 years. The Feb. 1 installment, Winter Landscape Art, challenges kids to make a snowy owl from a pinecone. Register by Jan. 27 and Phipps will send supplies to you. Or you can gather the needed materials yourself: a pinecone, cotton balls, paper, glue and markers. Beyond the craft, the interactive class teaches kids about winter’s natural beauty. Registration is $20.

5. Build a virtual robot (at home)

Running through April 27, United Way’s free Be STEMtacular Summit brings a four-part series to middle schoolers. The session, Program a Virtual Robot – Got Bots?, will teach kids to craft, connect and code their robot ideas with activities beginning Feb. 3. Kids will practice problem-solving skills in weekly challenges through Zoom sessions. You can register here for this STEMtacular program and many others aimed at kids in grades 5 through high school.

6. Meet a YA author (at home)

Bestselling YA writer Laurie Halse Anderson is the latest author showcased in the Words & Pictures series presented by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures on Jan. 28. Halse Anderson’s novel, “Chains,” tells the tale of a 13-year-old slave during the Revolutionary War, while “Speak” is about a high school freshman who becomes isolated after a sexual assault. Her latest work is a memoir in verse based on her own assault as a young teen and a call to action to the #MeToo movement. Heavy stuff, indeed, but beautifully written with a readily accessible lesson about using your voice to reclaim your power. Registration is free for this virtual speaking engagement.

7. Boost your mood with corny jokes (at home)

Tim Pearce, head of the mollusks department at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, entertains his fans every Monday — better known as Mollusk Monday — with super corny jokes about snails, turtles and octopuses. He includes a bit of science in with the goofiness, too. His joke posts on TikTok and Instagram are so popular that the museum shop sells a T-shirt with his image. If your kids are late to the Tim Pearce game, check out his YouTube video of the Best of 2020 Mollusk Jokes. Laughing (and groaning) guaranteed!

8. Upcycle cardboard tubes (at home)

Gather cardboard tubes from paper towels, wrapping paper and toilet paper and get creative with these fun projects from the Maker Monday archive.

Paper Plate Marble Run: This STEM construction project will challenge your engineering skills while considering how speed changes with the degree of a slope.

Cardboard Tube Houses: Give kids the basic idea and tools and they will surprise you with the many variations they come up with. Our session’s final products included a castle, a birdhouse, a whimsical fairy home and SpongeBob SquarePants’ pineapple house.

Cardboard Tube Penguins: A favorite penguin might be found at the National Aviary or the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. But many kids prefer the Penguins who zip along the ice at the PPG Paints Arena.

Cardboard Tube Kazoos: Little music makers can throw a parade with this project. Kids can hum their favorite songs and gain extra volume as the waxed paper vibrates.

Bonus: Looking for more? Checkout 23 ways to make the most of outdoor winter fun.