Where to play with a kiddo Downtown

So, what do you DO with your kiddo all day living Downtown?

Good question! To answer, here are some of my favorite places to go...

Point State Park. I guess this is an obvious choice, but some may think kind of a stale choice to visit over and over. Don't knock it - creativity goes a long way! I take a bag with a ball, a bubble gun (only because I HATE blowing bubbles), and sidewalk chalk and we could literally stay there for hours. Not to mention running through the shrubs, yelling to hear your echo on the footbridge, and using sticks to draw in the dirt. When the leaves fell in the fall I couldn't pry the kiddo away!

Mellon Green. Not to be confused with Mellon Square, Mellon Green is a square green space with a hedgerow bordering the perimeter except at the corners. Add a fun fountain in the middle, plenty of birds to chase, and a non smoking atmosphere? Fabulous! Added bonus: It's right on Grant Street. You don't have to go out of your way if you're running errands. You can go to the bank, stop to play, grab groceries and keep on going.

Mellon Square. This square has more concrete and more pigeons. I hate pigeons, but my kiddo loves them. As a special treat we'll go there to pigeon chase. The things we do for our kids... sigh!

Katz Plaza. This plaza has fun eyeball benches, a great fountain to run around, its close to Rosebud for quick groceries, and it has really nice trees shaped into a shady hedgerow to escape the sun. Yes, the sun sometimes comes out! Also it's great for a quick outing amidst many errands.

The river trails. A little more obvious, but this is a great place for a long walk with a kiddo strapped in a stroller. Ahhhh! Kiddo doesn't have to be running around all the time, you know.

Market Square. See my previous post regarding Kidsplay. Hopefully with the renovation this will be a great place to let the kiddo run around. Forcing street traffic to the perimeter of the square creates lots of safer space for pedestrians.

Downtown is literally an urban playground. When you live here, the journey becomes your adventure. Enjoy!

Kidsplay in the Square started today

For those of you who may not know, Kidsplay in Market Square started today. Every Friday starting now through July 31st (less July 3rd), events geared towards preschool and young elementary aged kids go on in the Square. Events are held from 10:30 to 11:30am. My kiddo got to touch a firetruck today! Exciting stuff. Plus, it's a great excuse to go out for lunch and a smoothie! Hopefully the PPG fountain will open soon. I guess there is no Spring this year? Cold to hot in a week flat... holy hot weather!

Is anyone else sad that Stay and Play Fridays don't exist this year? I know my kiddo got a big kick out of the breakdancers last year, and the music seemed to bring the square to life! Oh well, at least the Farmers Market on Thursdays is still going strong. It was PACKED this week, and I literally devoured an entire tub of black bean and corn salsa from Cinco De Mayo Salsas the day I bought it. Not to mention I washed it down with fresh cherry pie - yum!