It can be hard to think of things to do with your kids in the winter. Let's be honest, it can be REALLY hard with kids. I have two daughters who are 3 & 5, and I'm always trying to get them outside and in Pittsburgh, from about November until May it is constantly cloudy and cold. But that doesn't mean that you have to stay inside! There's plenty of activities to get you outside of the house. Below are a list of some of my favorite activities with my kids in the winter.
Ice skating
There are several ice skating rinks in and around Pittsburgh! My family usually goes to the North Park rink, but several other rinks are around other areas. The ice skating rink at the PPG place is BEAUTIFUL and a must-visit, even if you decide to just walk around and skip the skating. I've listed below the ice skating rinks, most are outdoor rinks, but the last two are indoor arenas!
Go Skiing or Tubing
There are several places you can go skiing or tubing around Pittsburgh. My favorite is Boyce park because it's so close and very affordable (lift tickets are $15 during the week and $20 on the weekend). Boyce does not have a huge ski area, but it's perfect for a day outing. There's also a tubing area! It's great if you have small kids - they have a magic carpet and a little bunny hill for kids just getting started with skiing. Get your information about Boyce Ski area here.
There are also two ski resorts close to Pittsburgh. Hidden Valley Resort and Seven Springs Mountain Resort are both great options if you are looking for a longer stay or a resort.
Sledding
What kid doesn't like sledding? And of course Pittsburgh is the perfect place to go sledding because of all of the hills. I grew up sledding at Bronx field in West View and on the Golf Course in North Park. But there are many other great sledding hills around Pittsburgh. Here are a list of more sledding hills around the Pittsburgh area.
Go Hiking With Your Kids!
Yes, really!! Go for a hike with your kids even if it's cold. Just because it's cold out doesn't mean you can't go hiking. I'm a firm believer in there's few times when it's too cold or snowy to go outside - it's all about the right clothing! Pittsburgh has so many great hiking trails that are kid-friendly. I recommend you download the Alltrails App. I have my personal favorite kid-friendly hiking trail is Crouse Run Nature Reserve North of Pittsburgh. You can read about my favorite kid-friendly hiking trail north of Pittsburgh in a previous post here.
Go to the Museum
If you want an indoor option, check out the various museums in Pittsburgh. I wrote a previous blog post about things to do with kids in Pittsburgh, which includes the best museums for kids! Read about the best museums for your kids here.
Take a Walk Through Phipps Conservatory
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is gorgeous to go to year round and is another great indoor option for you and your family. It's located in Oakland and features a huge greenhouse with beautiful flower arrangements. Phipps encompasses 15 acres, which includes a 14-room glasshouse and 23 gardens.
Pittsburgh can be so dreary in the winter months, but don't let the weather keep you inside. There's plenty to do with your family around the city! Enjoy and explore!
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