Phone:
(412) 364-9400
Physical address:
1130 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Things to Do With Kids in Pittsburgh’s North Hills
By the second rainy weekend in a row, most North Hills parents have the same short list memorized: the same playground, the same pizza place, the same “what do you want to do today?” that gets answered with a shrug.
The area between McCandless, Ross, Hampton, and Pine has more going on than it usually gets credit for. Some of it is outside and free, some of it is indoors for the days Pittsburgh weather refuses to cooperate, and a little of it is the kind of place kids actually ask to go back to.
Here’s a practical rundown for families looking to fill a Saturday, a snow day, or a long school break without driving all the way downtown.
The area between McCandless, Ross, Hampton, and Pine has more going on than it usually gets credit for. Some of it is outside and free, some of it is indoors for the days Pittsburgh weather refuses to cooperate, and a little of it is the kind of place kids actually ask to go back to.
Here’s a practical rundown for families looking to fill a Saturday, a snow day, or a long school break without driving all the way downtown.
Getting Outside at North Park
North Park is the anchor of outdoor family time up here, and it’s big enough that you can visit a dozen times and still find a new corner. It stretches across the North Hills near Hampton and Pine, so most families are only a short drive away.
The Lake and the Loop
The lake is the centerpiece. Families walk or bike the loop around it, watch the rowers, and let younger kids burn energy on the paths near the boathouse. The full loop is a solid outing for older kids on bikes and a nice stroller walk for everyone else.
Playgrounds, Pool, and Winter Options
Scattered playgrounds give little ones a reason to stop and climb, and the seasonal pool is a summer staple for North Hills families. In colder months, the park shifts gears with ice skating and quiet trails, so it stays useful long after the weather turns.
A Slower Day at Hartwood Acres
When you want something calmer than a playground sprint, Hartwood Acres is a good change of pace. The park sits just east of the core North Hills neighborhoods and gives families room to roam without much of a plan.
Kids can run the open lawns, explore the trails, and take in the historic mansion grounds. In warmer months the park hosts outdoor events and concerts, which makes for an easy, low-cost evening if you pack a blanket and a picnic.
It’s the kind of spot that works for a wide age range, since older kids get real trail distance while younger ones are happy to chase each other across the grass.
Kids can run the open lawns, explore the trails, and take in the historic mansion grounds. In warmer months the park hosts outdoor events and concerts, which makes for an easy, low-cost evening if you pack a blanket and a picnic.
It’s the kind of spot that works for a wide age range, since older kids get real trail distance while younger ones are happy to chase each other across the grass.
Rainy Days and Cold Snaps: Where to Go Indoors
Pittsburgh does not hand out many perfect-weather weekends, so every North Hills parent needs a few reliable indoor plans. These are the ones that hold up when it’s pouring or ten degrees out.
Carpet Skating and Blacklight Fun at Fun Slides
Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark and Party Center sits right on Perry Highway in Pines Plaza, which puts it minutes from most North Hills neighborhoods. It’s a 35,000-square-foot indoor blacklight park, so the weather outside stops mattering the moment you walk in.
The main event is carpet skating: kids strap special plastic skates over their own shoes and glide across carpeted ramps and slides. It’s beginner-friendly by design, and first-time skaters get help from staff until they find their footing, so it doesn’t take a natural athlete to have a good time.
Skating isn’t the whole visit, either. General admission also includes blacklight dodgeball, a ninja course, carpet hockey, the Nerf War Zone, bounce houses, butt slides, and an arcade. That mix is why it works for families with kids at different ages — a 5-year-old and an 11-year-old can both find their thing. You can see the full list on the Xtra Activities page.
Two quick things to know before you go: closed-toe shoes are required, and every skater needs a signed waiver, which you can knock out online ahead of time. The Know Before You Go page covers the rest.
The main event is carpet skating: kids strap special plastic skates over their own shoes and glide across carpeted ramps and slides. It’s beginner-friendly by design, and first-time skaters get help from staff until they find their footing, so it doesn’t take a natural athlete to have a good time.
Skating isn’t the whole visit, either. General admission also includes blacklight dodgeball, a ninja course, carpet hockey, the Nerf War Zone, bounce houses, butt slides, and an arcade. That mix is why it works for families with kids at different ages — a 5-year-old and an 11-year-old can both find their thing. You can see the full list on the Xtra Activities page.
Two quick things to know before you go: closed-toe shoes are required, and every skater needs a signed waiver, which you can knock out online ahead of time. The Know Before You Go page covers the rest.
Free and Low-Key: Libraries and Indoor Walks
Not every rainy day needs an activity budget. The North Hills has solid public libraries with story times and kids’ programming, which are a genuinely good landing spot for younger children on a wet morning. A slow indoor walk through a mall or a bookstore also buys you a calm hour when everyone needs to reset.
Making Birthdays Easy in the North Hills
If your kid’s birthday is coming up, the North Hills has options that take the planning off your plate. That matters, because a home party in January is a lot of work for one afternoon.
At Fun Slides, every birthday party comes with a dedicated host who runs the show start to finish — greeting guests, getting skates on, serving food, and handling cleanup while you actually get to enjoy the party. Packages cover skating and all the activities, so the entertainment is built in.
Weekend party times tend to fill up several weeks out, especially over winter and school breaks, so it’s worth checking dates early. You can compare packages on the Birthday Parties page.
At Fun Slides, every birthday party comes with a dedicated host who runs the show start to finish — greeting guests, getting skates on, serving food, and handling cleanup while you actually get to enjoy the party. Packages cover skating and all the activities, so the entertainment is built in.
Weekend party times tend to fill up several weeks out, especially over winter and school breaks, so it’s worth checking dates early. You can compare packages on the Birthday Parties page.
North Hills Family Activities: Quick Questions Parents Ask
What indoor activities are there for kids in the North Hills?
Options include the public libraries’ kids’ programming, indoor mall walks, and Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark on Perry Highway, which is fully indoor and stays open through any weather.
What’s a good rainy-day activity near McCandless?
Fun Slides is a short drive from McCandless and is completely indoors, with carpet skating plus dodgeball, a ninja course, bounce houses, and an arcade. It’s a reliable plan when outdoor spots are washed out.
Is carpet skating hard for younger or first-time kids?
No. Carpet skating is easier to pick up than roller or ice skating, most kids get comfortable within a few minutes, and first-time skaters get staff guidance until they’re steady.
Where can I take a group of kids in the North Hills?
Fun Slides hosts group events and structured STEM field trips for schools, camps, scouts, and youth groups. Groups need to be scheduled in advance — call (412) 364-9400 or use the contact page.
Plan Your North Hills Day
The North Hills gives families a real range to work with — North Park and Hartwood Acres when the weather cooperates, and dependable indoor spots for when it doesn’t. Keeping a couple of each on hand is what turns “I’m bored” into an easy answer.
If your plan for the day is indoor, active, and low-stress, Fun Slides is a few minutes up Perry Highway and open no matter what the forecast says. Grab passes ahead of time and skip the guesswork on hours.
Buy General Admission Tickets
Planning a birthday instead? Check Party Dates to see what’s open. For current hours and pricing, visit the Hours & Prices page.
If your plan for the day is indoor, active, and low-stress, Fun Slides is a few minutes up Perry Highway and open no matter what the forecast says. Grab passes ahead of time and skip the guesswork on hours.
Buy General Admission Tickets
Planning a birthday instead? Check Party Dates to see what’s open. For current hours and pricing, visit the Hours & Prices page.
