Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, located on the north side of the city, offers a fun, hands-on learning experience for kids. The museum's mantra is to learn through play and exploration, taking children's favourite things and creating an interactive atmosphere of scientific discovery. Catering to very young children in the Nursery area all the way up to teenagers who can learn all kinds of craftwork in the Makeshop section, the centre has something for everyone to enjoy.

There are 11 permanent exhibits, each one as jam-packed as the next. The Backyard is an outdoor exhibit that's open daily, weather permitting. Here, musical youngsters can listen to solar-panel-powered music or hop on a swing set of sounds. The bubbling mud pool is, of course, hugely popular – just be prepared for a larger than usual load of washing when you get home!

Speedy little scientists can build their own toy vehicles and tracks and race to their hearts' content, while you can design and build your own functioning fountain in the Waterplay area. With all that splishing and splashing, things are bound to get wet, so make sure you bring a change of clothes for the little ones.

Green-thumbed tykes can get their hands dirty in the Garden while budding artists can create miniature works of art (or messy masterpieces) in the Studio. The Attic area, meanwhile, explores colours and shapes and the wackier side of science, with a tilted room designed to trick the mind, a colour bouncer wheel and Zelda the fortune-teller machine.

When they're all tuckered out, and you are too, treat yourselves to some refreshments at the Big Red Room Café before heading home. Parking is available near the museum and it is also easily accessible via public transport. The museum is open every day except for public holidays and an entry fee does apply, but it's well worth it for a great day of fun and exploration. After a day of splashing, sliding, building and bouncing, parents will see how the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh takes the phrase "live and learn" to a whole new level.