Family Affair in the Square

Now, we know that most people think of Market Square as a grown-up type of place, but starting this Tuesday morning, youngsters rule in the Square when KidsPlay! launches a summer load of fun activities geared towards children and families. Whether it's story time or craft making — or even catching a sneak peek inside the Pittsburgh Police bomb squad truck — tots, tykes and even tweens will find something to like during KidsPlay!, which runs from June 5- August 21 from 10-11:30 a.m. And did we mention free snacks like ice cream and chips? 

So you know -- moms & dads, granddads & grandmas, and even aunts & uncles are invited to join the kids in their family down to the Square next Tuesday to take part in a ton of activities. Best of all, a special guest from Downtown's very own Toonseum will be on hand to entertain. That's right, master cartoonist and storyteller — not to mention Toonseum's executive director —Joe Wos will delight kids and adults with his quick wit and even quicker drawing hand as he creates cartoon drawings on the spot for a few lucky youngsters to take home with them. 

During June, kids also will get a chance to meet real-life heroes such as city firefighters and police officers, learn how trees make the world a healthier place and get an inside look at why everyone needs to learn about the arts. Later in the summer, KidsPlay will bring back one of the Square's all-time favorite visitors —"That Guy With the Birds." With his band of fine feathered friends — all parrots rescued from not so great situations — John Lege's pampered pets dunk a basketball, play ring toss and perform other tricks that will amuse all. When John and his birds are around the Square, it's always time to fly! 

While the kids are having a good time, the grownups might take a short stroll to the Carnegie Library Reading Room, which also rolls into the Square every Tuesday morning from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through October 9. Adults and kids will find plenty of good reads on the Carnegie's roving library carts that are filled with everything from best sellers to do it yourself manuals of all types. Plus, you can't beat the prices either, with hard covers selling for $2 and paperbacks going for just a buck! Best of all, every book  you buy supports the library's Downtown branch. 

So make it a family affair in the Square every Tuesday morning with KidsPlay and the Carnegie Library Reading Room.