Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette
	Sabrina Atkins gets a close look at the puppet 'Donkey Hodie' being held by David Newell, aka Mr. McFeely, during a reading session in the 'Mister Rogers Neighborhood' exhibit at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum.

MUSEUMS
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Discovery Room, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-622-1950; www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh.

There are hardly any "Don't Touch" signs in the Discovery Room, an area where young visitors can touch the fur of a caribou from the Arctic, touch fossilized animal droppings, smell the aroma of the rain forest and see a vampire bat skull. Included with museum admission, which is $10 for adults and $6 for children age 3 to 18.

Discovery Room hours: During the school year, Tues.-Fri., 1 to 3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun., 1 to 4 p.m. (may be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. when not reserved); between July 4 and Labor Day, Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun., 1 to 4 p.m. Call for special holiday hours.

Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Ave., 412-237-3400, www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org. Exploration Station Jr. on the fourth floor lets kids romp through a ball factory, don a hard hat in the construction zone and splash around with balls and toys in a water table. Designed for ages 3 to 6. On the same floor, the Exploration Station, designed for children in grades 2 to 12, lets kids create their own video animation, launch an air rocket and get a grip on a Velcro wall.

Across the street is UPMC SportsWorks, which is included in museum admission. More than 60 interactive experiences including a 25-foot climbing wall, a design-your-own roller coaster and a unicycle 15 feet in the air.

Adults, $14; children 3 to 18, $10. Sun.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Square, North Side, 412-322-5058, www.pittsburghkids.org. The new museum has quadrupled in size and features "Play With Real Stuff" exhibits. Get behind the wheel of a real MINI Cooper in the Garage. Build your own boat and launch it down the River, a 53-foot water table in the Waterplay area. Try on a cardigan and sneakers or ride a trolley in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Dance in front of an interactive art exhibit where letters of the alphabet fall from the sky. Make your own prints at the silkscreen station in the Studio.

Adults, $8; children 2 to 18, $7; Mon.- Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., noon to 5 p.m.

The Depreciation Lands Museum, 4743 S. Pioneer Road, Hampton, 412-486-0563, hometown.aol.com/dlmuseum/. Pioneer for a Day, a four-hour group program that teaches children how to cook pioneer foods, dip candles, etc. $8 per child per day or $13 overnight. For information, call Susan Vitari at 724-935-8437. One-week summer day camp, "Adventures in Pioneer Living," in June for children ages 8 to 11. Fee is $40 for the week, including a take-home pioneer, soldier or Indian costume. For information, call Lib Hunter, 412-486-2187.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, Oakland, 412-622-6914, www.phipps.conservatory.org. The Discovery Garden, an interactive space for children of all ages, is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Young visitors discover nature by venturing through mazes, playing games, smelling flowers, touching velvety leaves and looking at birds and butterflies. Adults, $7.50; children 2 to 12, $4.50; under 2 are free. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Railroaders Memorial Museum, 1300 Ninth Ave., Altoona, 1-814-946-0834 or 1-888-4-ALTOONA, www.railroadcity.com. Thomas and Friends Play Area is an adult-supervised space on the third floor with Thomas the Tank Engine play tables, Thomas cutouts, train books and games. Adults, $7.50; seniors 62 and over, $6; children 5 to 17, $5; under 5, free; family of four, $20. April through October, Mon-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November and December, weekends only.

Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Strip District, 412-454-6000, www.pghhistory.org. Discovery Place on the third floor lets kids learn about the history of Western Pennsylvania in the 1800s by playing a steamboat game on the river, designing their own stained-glass window and wandering inside a mini log cabin. Kidsburg, a two-tier play space for families, has a spiral step entrance and spiral slide exit. Kids serve up Isaly's "ice cream" in a pretend deli, shop for milk and eggs, milk a life-size fiberglass cow and put boats, blocks and bridges on the Build Your Own Pittsburgh exhibit.

Adults, $7.50; children 6-18, $3.50; free for kids under 6. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RECREATION AND PLAY SPACES
885 Skatepark, 349 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin, 412-462-1885, www.885skatepark.com. Indoor skateboard and in-line skate facility. For skaters 7 and older. Membership: $50 plus $4 per session; $6, nonmembers. Mon.-Thurs., 4 to 10 p.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. to midnight; Sat., noon to midnight; Sun., noon to 6 p.m.

Center for Creative Play, 1400 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square, 412-371-1668, www.centerforcreativeplay.org. A 15,000-square-foot play area with a two-story playhouse, a tree house, a street of pretend play, a music room, a block area and art zone. Parent-supervised and appropriate for children ages 6 and under. The center also offers an evening camp program the first Saturday night of the month. Unlimited membership is $100 a year. Nonmembers pay $5 per child; adults, $2.50. Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday hours vary; Tues. and Thurs., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sun., 1 to 5 p.m.

Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, 5401 Centre Ave., Shadyside, 412-682-4430, www.pghtoys.org. Indoor play space for children birth through kindergarten and their caregivers. The volunteer-run cooperative has a climbing area, art area, dress-up area, infant area, trucks and books. More than 300 toys are available to members to borrow. The per-visit fee for nonmembers is $4 per child, with a maximum of $8 per family. Membership is a maximum of $60 per year per family and less if you volunteer. Mon. and Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues., Wed. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; open most Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon. Closed in August.

Safari Sam's, 8001 Rowan Road, Cranberry, 724-779-1991, www.safarisams.com. A family entertainment center with jungle tunnels, a game room with 50 games, a restaurant and small playground for younger kids. Birthday parties and sleepover parties also available. Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Children under the age of 2 and adults are free. Children 2 to 4, $4.99; children 5 and up, $5.99. Preschool special 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., including admission, four tokens and a kid's meal for $5.99.

CULTURAL GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
Children's Festival Chorus, 412-281-4790, www.cfc-pgh.org. Auditioned choir for children ages 8 to 15. Rehearses weekly at Duquesne University. Spring auditions. The choir performs with Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera and the Mendelssohn Choir. Tuition ranges from $450 to $550 a year.

Gemini Classic Children's Theater, The Factory, 7501 Penn Ave., Point Breeze, 412-243-6464, www.geminitheater.org. Classic children's interactive theater, including "Winnie the Pooh," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "A Princess Holiday," "Beauty and the Beast," "Pinocchio" and "Aladdin." $8 per ticket. Usually 1 and 3 p.m. Sat. and Sun. in spring and fall. For reservations, call 412-243-5201. Theater summer camp for ages 4 to 14.

Johnny Appleseed Children's Theater, Apple Hill Playhouse, 275 Manor Road, Delmont, 724-468-5050, www.applehillplayhouse.org. Plays for young people, often fairy tale classics. The cast includes children from the community. Tues., Thurs. and alternating Fri. and Sat. at 11 a.m.; tickets are $6.50. Group discounts, season tickets and flex coupons offered. Summer theater classes available for children ages 4 to 18.

Looking Glass Theatre, Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive S., McMurray, 724-745-6300, www.littlelake.org. Summer series for children ages 4 to 12 of plays based on children's literature or classic fairy tales, and a fall family matinee series for children 8 and up and their families.

Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, 412-321-5520, www.pghkids.org. On the North Side for five days in May. Puppeteers, dancers, actors and visual artists from around the world entertain children. Hands-on arts and crafts, educational activities and petting zoo.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, 412-321-5520, www.pghkids.org. Live theater for children ages 4 to 12 by professional touring theater troupes. The shows are performed at Downtown's Byham Theater, Moon High School, Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pine-Richland High School in Pine and Mt. Lebanon High School. Shows run from October through February. Advance tickets for both children and adults are $8.50. Tickets are $10 at the door. Prices and locations subject to change.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fiddlesticks Family Concerts, 412-392-4900, www.pittsburghsymphony.org. Interactive concerts for children ages 3 to 8 and their families. A three-concert series at 11:15 a.m. Saturdays at Heinz Hall, with pre-concert activities at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $14.50 and $17.50.

Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, 3000 Industrial Blvd, Bethel Park, 412-835-1250, www.pybco.com. Classic ballet training for students ages 2 and up. Prices vary. Students hold performances at the Byham Theater, Downtown, and at Upper St. Clair Theater. Tickets range from $15 to $20.

Pittsburgh Youth Pops Orchestra, 522 Carnot Road, Moon, 412-403-0002, www.pypo.org. Students in grades 8 to 12 play light classical pops repertoire and perform five or six concerts a year in various locations. Auditions for all instruments in spring and fall.

Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, Heinz Hall, Downtown, 412-392-4872, www.pittsburgh-youthsymphony.org. Student musicians ages 14 to 21 from the Tri-State area perform classical and chamber music concerts at Heinz Hall and other venues. Tuition is $325 a year.

Playhouse Junior, Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park University, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland, 412-621-4445, www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Second-oldest continuously running children's theater in the country. Three productions a year run from September until May. Fairy tales, modern and timeless stories adapted to young audiences and classics from children's literature. Appropriate for children ages 4 through preteen. Tickets $7. Weekend performances, 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Prime Stage Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, Downtown, 412-771-7373, www.PrimeStage.com. Using the motto "Bringing Literature to Life," this theater company produces adaptations of literature, new plays and other works. Designed for middle and high school-aged youth, as well as adults and families. Performances are October through May. Single ticket prices vary, with discounts available for seniors, students and youth. Subscriptions are also available. Student matinees are offered during weekdays for school groups.

Saltworks, 2553 Brandt School Road, Franklin Park, 724-934-2820, www.saltworks.org. Plays on social issues such as violence prevention and drug and alcohol abuse performed at school assemblies. Acting classes for children ages 4 to 16. Young company performances with acting students in August and February.

Theatre Factory KidWorks, Cavitt Avenue at Third Street, Trafford, thetheatrefactory.com; 412-374-9200. Family-oriented plays often based on literature geared for children ages 4 to teens. Five shows a year, held from October to June, Fri., 7:30 p.m. and weekends, 2 p.m.; all seats $6.

Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, 212 Ninth St., Suite 401, Downtown, 412-391-0526, www.trypo.org. A high school orchestra and a symphonette, for children ages 8 through 18 from the Tri-State area. Winter concert at the Carnegie Library of Homestead, a spring concert at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland and a play-a-thon at Ross Park Mall in Ross in February. Auditions in April and rehearsals Saturdays from September until May. Annual tuition $450.

AMUSEMENT PARKS<</STRONG>
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	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette
	Kennywood Park brims with rides and coasters. Taking the Pittsburgh Plunge are, from left, Tamara Larue, Sister Luisa, Michael Rumpf, and Kim Curbow.

Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, 1-419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com. The largest amusement park in the world, with 68 rides, including 16 roller coasters and the new thrill ride called maXair, a swinging pendulum-like ride. Kids area, 18-acre water park, mile-long beach, five resort hotels, including Castaway Bay, a hotel, spa and indoor water park that is open year round. A luxury RV campground and two large marinas. Open May 7 daily through Labor Day. Fri., Sat., Sun. in September. Halloweekends in October with haunted houses and other Halloween-themed attractions. Single-day admission prices range from $24.95 to $44.95, depending on age and height. A Ride & Slide package is $67.95. Children under 2 are free.

Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom, 1060 N. Aurora Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202, 1-330-562-8303, www.geaugalake.com. Two parks of fun in one. Geauga Lake Amusement Park is packed with 10 roller coasters, two kids' areas, hundreds of attractions, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang and waterpark fun. At the end of May 2005, Geauga Lake will open a new 20-acre waterpark featuring Liquid Lightning, a 60-foot-tall tornado slide, and Thunderfalls, the largest waterslide complex in Ohio. Open May 7-Oct. 30; weekends only in May, September and October. Hours vary throughout the season, but the park typically opens at 10 a.m. All-day admission for both the waterpark and rides is $24.95 for those 48 inches and more; junior admission for guests less than 48 inches tall is $14.95; children 2 and younger are free. Season passes available online for $79.95 or at participating Tops Market locations for $75.

Idlewild & SoakZone, Route 30 East, Ligonier, 724-238-3666, www.idlewild.com. Family theme park featuring SoakZone waterpark, Raccoon Lagoon kiddieland, Jumpin' Jungle play area with ball crawl and swinging bridge, Story Book Forest with Old Woman in the Shoe and other characters; trolley ride through life-sized Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe; Olde Idlewild amusement park, and Hootin' Holler filled with Wild West attractions including the new flume ride, Paul Bunyon's Loggin' Toboggan. Open May 26-30 and June 3-30 (closed Mon. until June 20). Open daily July 1-Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5. Park gates open at 10 a.m. Fun Day Pass, $22.95; senior citizens, $14.95; children 2 and under free; Season Pass, $39.95 (until May 15).

Kennywood, 4800 Kennywood Blvd., Route 837, West Mifflin, 412-461-0500, www.kennywood.com. Amusement park featuring 33 adult rides, including three world-class wooden coasters, 85-mph Phantom's Revenge steel roller coaster and the Exterminator, a one-of-a-kind indoor coaster. Also, live shows, Kiddieland, games, gardens and picnic areas. Open May 13-Sept. 5 plus Sept. 10-11, 17-18; gates open at 10:30 a.m. and rides open at 11 a.m.; closing times vary. (Park opens at 5 p.m. Aug. 29-Sept. 2.) FunDay Pass, $28.95; Junior Pass (under 46 inches), $18; Senior Pass (55 plus), $14.95; Night Rider Pass (after 6 p.m.), $14.95.

Sandcastle, 1000 Sandcastle Drive, West Homestead, 412-462-6666, www.sandcastlewaterpark.com. Large waterpark on the Monongahela River. It offers wave pool, 14 major waterslides, Lazy River, Wet Willie's Waterworks (children's water playground), boardwalk with food court and games, sand volleyball, Tidal Wave Cafe and Formula 1 Speedway. Open June 4-Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5; 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. Admission, $21.95; children 46 inches or less, $9.95; 2 years and under are free; Season Pass, $39.95 (until May 15).

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