Field Trip Finder Pittsburgh

Homeschool & family fun around Pittsburgh, PA

Homeschool days, free outings and family events across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, each checked with the museum, city, county or official source. Many picks are indoors for the cold months.

18current listings
11with upcoming dates
10free or no fee listed
15good for little kids (2–4)

Jump to: Homeschool days & classes · Free & low-cost outings · Family & holiday events · Library perks · Halloween events · Trick-or-treating · Calendar · Homeschool groups & resources

Calendar

Tap a date to see that day's events. Only listings with set dates appear here; places you can visit any open day are listed further down.

Resources

Library perks

Library perks for Allegheny County library cardholders.

Getting a card: Sign up for a card at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or another Allegheny County library.

Full details, rules and sources (0 passes)
Local homeschool resources & groups
Homeschool co-ops & classesHomeschool days, discounts & library programs
Check before you go. We copy details from each venue's own page and show when we last checked. Where a page doesn't say something, we write "Not listed on source" instead of guessing. Dates sell out and programs change, so confirm with the venue.

The Good for little kids (2–4) marker means the venue's own page lists something for toddlers or preschoolers, such as a toddler storytime or free entry for the youngest kids. It's our planning note, not the venue's.

Coming up (next date for each)

See all upcoming (3 more)

Halloween events (2 listings)

Carnivals, festivals, corn mazes & spooky outings

Halloween and fall events around Pittsburgh, checked on the venue's, city's or county's page on Oct 23, 2026. Haunted attractions and adults-only events are left out. Look for the Good for little kids (2–4) marker for early, toddler-friendly options.

Halloween Happenings

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens · Pittsburgh (Oakland · Pittsburgh)
ConservatoryNext: Fri, Oct 23Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

A Halloween evening at the conservatory, included with regular admission.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Fri Oct 23, 2026
  • Time: 5–8 p.m.
  • Price: Included with regular admission
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a search summary of the Phipps page. The regular admission price was not shown.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

ZooBoo

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium · Pittsburgh (Highland Park · Pittsburgh)
Halloween eventNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

Halloween fun at the zoo, included with regular zoo admission.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Sat, Oct 24Apple / OutlookGoogle
Sun, Oct 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
  • When: Sat–Sun Oct 24–25, 2026
  • Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Price: Included with regular zoo admission
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The dates and hours came from a search summary of the zoo page. The regular admission price was not shown.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Trick-or-treating (5 listings)

Trunk-or-treats & Halloween-night neighborhoods

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct 31, 2026. The City of Pittsburgh's official trick-or-treat is Oct 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. City and county events run from Friday, Oct 23 through Halloween, checked Oct 23, 2026.

Trunk-or-treats & trick-or-treat events, Oct 23–31

Safety and tips

Event details

Track & Treat

CitiParks (Bud Harris Cycling Track) · Pittsburgh (Highland Park · Pittsburgh)
Community eventFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

A free healthy-lifestyle family event with bike decorating, bike safety instruction, games, refreshments and food trucks. You can bring your own bike or borrow one. A costume contest at 2 p.m. has winners in four age groups.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
  • Time: Noon–4 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source
Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Trunk or Treat at South Park

Allegheny County Parks (South Park Wave Pool) · Bethel Park (South Park · Suburbs (Allegheny County & nearby))
Community eventFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Suburbs (Allegheny County & nearby)

A candy and car cruise event. Costumes and decorated cars are encouraged, and registration is not required for trick-or-treaters. Weather permitting.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
  • Time: 2–4 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The county page lists no price; the events are described as candy and car cruise events with no registration needed.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Trunk or Treat at Hartwood Acres

Allegheny County Parks (Hartwood Acres Amphitheater) · Allison Park (Hartwood Acres · Suburbs (Allegheny County & nearby))
Community eventFree (per source)Next: Sun, Oct 25Good for little kids (2–4)Suburbs (Allegheny County & nearby)

A candy and car cruise event. Costumes and decorated cars are encouraged, and registration is not required for trick-or-treaters. Weather permitting.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Oct 25, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sun Oct 25, 2026
  • Time: 2–4 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The county page lists no price; the events are described as candy and car cruise events with no registration needed.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Third Annual City Hall Haunted Crawl

City of Pittsburgh (City-County Building) · Pittsburgh (Downtown · Pittsburgh)
Community eventFree (per source)Next: Wed, Oct 28Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

City departments host Halloween-themed stations in the Grand Lobby and hand out treats. Costumes are encouraged.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Wed Oct 28, 2026
  • Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: Kids and families
  • Booking: Not listed on source
Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

City of Pittsburgh official trick-or-treat hours

City of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh (Citywide · Pittsburgh)
Trick-or-treat hoursFree (per source)Next: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

The city's official trick-or-treat time for neighborhoods across Pittsburgh. The city lists safety tips: reflective tape or clip-on lights, masks you can see through, sidewalks, and flashlights.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
  • Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source
Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Homeschool days & classes (4 listings)

Homeschool Classes (ages 6–18)

Carnegie Museum of Natural History · Pittsburgh (Oakland · Pittsburgh)
Natural history museumPrice not listedNext: Mon, Oct 26Pittsburgh

Five-week hands-on science sessions for homeschool students from the Western Pennsylvania homeschool community, in three age groups. Fall 2026 classes are My Mini Museum (ages 6–8), Get Lost (ages 9–12) and Zoology (ages 13–18). Winter 2027 meets Jan 25–Feb 22, and spring meets Apr 19–May 17.

Upcoming dates: Mon, Oct 26, 2026; Mon, Nov 2, 2026; Mon, Nov 9, 2026; Mon, Nov 16, 2026; Mon, Jan 25, 2027

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Mon, Oct 26Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Nov 2Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Nov 9Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Nov 16Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Jan 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
  • When: Mondays: Oct 19–Nov 16, Jan 25–Feb 22, Apr 19–May 17
  • Time: 1–3:30 p.m.
  • Price: Price not listed on the page (late registration adds $50)
  • Ages: 6–18
  • Booking: Fall registration closed Oct 5. Winter registration closes Jan 11, 2027.

⚠️ Fall 2026 registration has closed. The winter and spring sessions are still ahead.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Homeschool Day

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium · Pittsburgh (Highland Park · Pittsburgh)
ZooNext: Tue, Nov 17Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

Explore the zoo with keeper chats, special feedings and meetings with animal ambassadors. No member discount applies.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 17, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Tue Nov 17, 2026 (the Sept 15 and Oct 20 days have passed)
  • Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Price: $16 per person, adults and children ages 2 and up
  • Ages: Ages 2 and up
  • Booking: Tickets are sold through the zoo's ticketing portal.
Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Guided field trips for K–12 groups, including homeschool

Heinz History Center · Pittsburgh (Strip District · Pittsburgh)
History museumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementPittsburgh

Guided field trips for K–12 groups, including homeschool groups, with one chaperone per ten students. The Center also offers tailored homeschool programs.

  • When: By reservation
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: Free for the guided field trips (search summary)
  • Ages: K–12
  • Booking: Contact the Center's reservations team through its page.

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The "free" and "includes homeschool groups" came from a search summary of the Center's pages. Confirm the price when you book.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

School and community group programs

National Aviary · Pittsburgh (North Side · Pittsburgh)
AviaryOngoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

The Aviary's 2026–27 school and community programs can be used by homeschool groups.

  • When: By reservation
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: About $13–$16 per person depending on the package
  • Ages: Grouped by grade
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The price range came from a search summary of the Aviary's brochure. Ask the Aviary to confirm that your homeschool group can book.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Free & low-cost outings (2 listings)

Admission discounts and free days

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh (North Side · Pittsburgh)
Children's museumOngoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT cardholders pay $5 each for up to four people, in person only. RAD Pass holders get free admission on select days, and the MuseumLab is free on weekends. Nov 1 admission is $10 for everyone.

  • When: Year-round
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: ACCESS/EBT: $5 each (up to four); MuseumLab free on weekends
  • Ages: Young children and families
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a search summary of the museum's page. Check the page before you go.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Free general site admission

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums & Gardens · Pittsburgh (Point Breeze · Pittsburgh)
Museum & gardensFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

General site admission is free and required. Tours, temporary exhibitions and special events may cost extra.

  • When: Year-round
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: Free general site admission
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a search summary of the Frick's page. Check its page for hours and any tour prices.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Family & holiday events through Jan 10, 2027 (4 listings)

Discovery Time: Fun with Senses

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Frick Environmental Center) · Pittsburgh (Frick Park · Pittsburgh)
Nature programFree (per source)Next: Sat, Nov 14Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

A free family nature-discovery program for young children.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 14, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sat Nov 14, 2026
  • Time: 1–3 p.m.
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: Young children with an adult
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The date, time and "free" came from a search summary of the Conservancy's events list. Confirm the event page.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Holiday Magic: Winter Flower Show and Light Garden

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens · Pittsburgh (Oakland · Pittsburgh)
ConservatoryPrice not listedOpens Fri, Nov 20 · through Sun, Jan 10Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

An indoor winter flower show and light garden. Timed tickets are required, and Phipps members get free admission.

📅 Add the date range (Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 10)
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Nov 20, 2026–Jan 10, 2027
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: Ticket prices not in the text we read
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The dates and ticket rules came from a search summary. Prices were not shown.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Highmark Light Up Night

Downtown Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh (Downtown · Pittsburgh)
Holiday festivalFree (per source)Next: Sat, Nov 21Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

The city's holiday kickoff downtown, with concerts, films, crafts and holiday pop-ups, plus fireworks and bridge lighting.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 21, 2026

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Sat Nov 21, 2026
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a Visit Pittsburgh guide via search summary, not an organizer page. The guide URL carries 2025 in its title, so confirm the 2026 schedule.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.

Zoo Lights Drive-Thru

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium · Pittsburgh (Highland Park · Pittsburgh)
Holiday lightsOpens Fri, Nov 27 · through Sun, Jan 3Good for little kids (2–4)Pittsburgh

A holiday light show you drive through, on select nights.

📅 Add the date range (Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3)
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
  • When: Select nights, Nov 27, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: From $40 per member vehicle or $45 per non-member vehicle
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Dates and prices came from a search summary. Check which nights are on sale.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-23.