News

April 15, 2026

Open Arts Studio for Children at ACPC

Indiana’s Art and Creative Play Center will host an open arts studio for children on Tuesday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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The event, which costs $25, provides the opportunity for young artists to explore, experiment, and focus on the process of creating, rather than the final project.

A variety of art and play invitations, materials, and tools are provided, giving children the ability to express their creativity and follow their own ideas in a low-pressure environment.

The event is intended for children of all ages, but children under age 5 must have an adult present.

News

March 13, 2026

Easter Egg Hunt in Indiana County

Children will be able to take part in an Easter egg hunt in Blairsville in Indiana County on Saturday, March 28.

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The event, which is aimed at ages 12 and below, will begin at 11 a.m. at the playground behind the Blairsville Community Center.

The Blairsville Public Library will give away free books to all participants at the event and the Easter Bunny is expected to make an appearance. The egg hunt will take place at the playground.

More information is available on the Indiana County Tourist Bureau’s website.

News

March 9, 2026

How to Prepare and Register Children for Summer Camp

With the ongoing snow and frigid temperatures, summer might still seem far away – but those looking to place children in summer camps should begin thinking about where to find spots for them.

Allegheny County Search Tool

Caregivers can find available spots for children at Allegheny County early learning, after school, summer camp, and virtual programs on Allegheny Child Care for Families’ website. The website – a collaboration between Trying Together and APOST – enables caregivers to explore programs based on location or children’s age and also includes virtual programs.

Providers regularly update information regarding available spots and whether they are accepting new families. As summer camp signup season approaches, providers should remember to update their profiles on the website. Caregivers can also create an account to save a list of their favorite child care providers.

How to Prepare Your Child for Summer Camp

While going away to summer camp can be exciting and provide a sense of independence for some children and young adults, it can also create anxiety for others.

The Child Mind Institute put together a list of resources regarding summer camp anxiety to help caregivers in easing children’s minds for when they will spend the night away from home.

In one article, the institute lists a variety of ways that caregivers can help children to overcome pre-camp anxiety – including letting them feel a sense of ownership over the experience, not trivializing their concerns or offering glib reassurances, reflecting on your own formative experiences away from home and sharing positive aspects, and not lingering at the bus stop or drop-off point.

In an article from New York Presbyterian on a similar topic, suggestions to help children get the most out of their summer camp experience include not promising to pick up a child as soon as they get homesick, doing a dry run by visiting the camp ahead of time, sending along a favorite stuffed animal, or suggesting they talk to a camp counselor about any challenges they have.

Allegheny County Summer Camp Options

In February, Kidsburgh released its annual list of local summer camps for children of all ages and interests. This year, among the 75 camps listed were:

August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Hip Hop Camp
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Pittsburgh Musical Theater Conservatory
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
Shady Side Academy
Jewish Community Center
National Aviary
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
Pittsburgh Public Theater Summer Camps

In the Kidsburgh article, each summer camp listing is accompanied by information on the program and registration.

Programs listed in Allegheny Child Care for Families’ database include the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, Venture Outdoors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, and the Sarah Heinz House Association, among others.

Summer Camp Options in Other Counties

There are a variety of options for summer camps in other nearby western Pennsylvania counties. These include:

Armstrong County

Beaver County

Butler County

Fayette County

Greene County

Indiana County

Lawrence County

Washington County

Westmoreland County

News

February 3, 2026

Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by Getting a Library Card

This coming Saturday, February 7, is Take Your Child to the Library Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to get a library card at your local library.

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Take Your Child to the Library Day is celebrated by thousands of libraries around the world. The concept for the day is for caregivers to bring children to the library to take part in free activities and to help them develop a love of reading.

Those visiting a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch should visit the library’s website to see about activities taking place that day.

Getting a Carnegie Library Card

A library card for the Carnegie Library provides access to materials from 43 libraries around the county as well as allows cardholders to use library computers, and download and stream digital content from a phone or eReader.

Those interested in getting a card can do so by registering in person or online. Those who register in person should bring an acceptable form of photo ID. If your ID does not include your address or contact information, you should be ready to provide that information at that time.

The following are acceptable forms of ID:

A driver’s license
Pennsylvania identification card
Other U.S. state’s driver’s license
Expired PA driver’s license, if accompanied by local address verification
Passport
State ID
Work ID
Military ID
Student ID
Work visa
Green card

Allegheny County residents, ages 18 and above, can register for a card online and receive full borrowing privileges for print and electronic materials. Children ages 13 and above can use the same form and receive a card allowing access to the library’s eResources.

Once you validate information through the online system, you will receive a card number, which can be converted into a scannable barcode using an app like Stocard.

For more information on how to obtain a Carnegie Library card, visit the library’s website.

Other Counties

For those seeking a library card in a county outside of Pittsburgh, below are the pages including information by county on how to obtain a card.

News

November 12, 2025

Toy Drives Ramp Up in Southwestern PA for Holiday Season

As the holiday season nears, toy drives in southwestern Pennsylvania are ramping up to provide families in need of help with toys and gift cards.

Play It Forward Pittsburgh

Play It Forward Pittsburgh collects gently used toys and is providing them free to families who are in need or having a tough time. Celebrating its 15th year, the initiative will enable families to shop in person or to receive a prepackaged holiday box.

The free box pick-up event will be held on Friday, December 12 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, located at 100 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard in Pittsburgh. Those interested in shopping for free will be able to do so at the same site from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 13.

Families who wish to participate must sign-up on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh page. The link to register opens Monday, November 17.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots will operate toy drives this holiday season in various locations.

The request for toys for Beaver County & Northwestern Allegheny County is already closed, but families are encouraged to check back to see if the application is reopened.
Washington County: Families can register to participate in person at the Washington Crown Center Mall every Saturday in November. See details.
Greene County will distribute toys on Saturday, December 20. See details.
Fayette County‘s Toys for Tots registration will take place on Thursday, November 13 from noon to 7 p.m. and on Friday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Uniontown Mall in the BINGO space next to the old Sears.

Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

The Salvation Army operate toy drives such as the Angel Tree program, which helps families get free holiday toys for children or gift cards for parents.

For information on The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, contact the Angel Tree coordinator, Leah Cross, at (412) 446-1534 or via email at leah.cross@use.salvationarmy.org. For other assistance, contact your local center.

The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania will host upcoming collection dates for the Salvation Army toy drives from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 4 and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5. This year’s goal is to meet or exceed last year’s donation of more than 700 toys. Those interested in participating can deliver toys to CAWP, located at 800 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 110, in Cranberry Township on the two days in December.

Donate

Charlie Batch Annual Holiday Toy Drive

The Batch A Toys drive is organized by the Best of Batch Foundation, a nonprofit founded by former Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch. The foundation will adopt 400 families, which will provide more than 1,000 children with holiday gifts.

The foundation is still accepting donations, but there is currently no information on how families can participate. Learn more.

Indiana County’s Tourist Bureau

The bureau will host its Toonz for Tots event on Saturday, November 22 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will include donations of new toys, raffle baskets, monetary contributions, and three hours of music from local bands donating their time and talent to raise money.

News

April 14, 2025

Indiana County Observed WOYC with Proclamation and Activities

Indiana County kicked off the Week of the Young Child on April 5 with a proclamation, activities, and a movie screening.

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The county’s Early Care and Education Committee (ECEC) of the Children’s Advisory Committee of Indiana County hosted the event, which began at the Indiana County Courthouse.

Providers from LOLA’s Early Care and Education Center, Indi Kids, and Grand Beginnings Children’s Center joined Indiana County Commissioner Michael Keith and state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-62nd District) for the reading of the proclamation.

Families then headed to the Indiana Theatre for two screenings of the 2024 film “The Wild Robot” with discounted tickets and accompanying crafts.

Trying Together and the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) provided advocacy activities for families, while Commonplace Coffee brought drinks and treats for attendees.