Your Rain & Snow Playbook: Best Indoor Kids' Activities

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: Both kids and parents alike will enjoy a few hours at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. With over 50 restored antique trolleys, a brand new Welcome and Education Center, plenty of interactive exhibits and a calendar chock-full of creative programming, there's no shortage of things to do here even when the weather outside is dreary. The Trolley Museum even offers sensory friendly hours with quieter streetcars, lowered exhibit sounds, softer lighting and sensory bags - be sure to check the museum's calendar for more information and other events. 

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is open Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the months of January - May and again during September - December. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday in the summer months of June - August. 

Bradford House Museum & Whiskey Rebellion Education Center: The Whiskey Rebellion Education Center is an expansion of the Bradford House, both of which examine the life and time of David Bradford, a prominent attorney and businessman who had a significant role in the 1791 - 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. The Bradford House and Whiskey Rebellion Education Center are both a great addition to your rainy or snowy day itinerary for a showing of period exhibits, a historic timeline, an 18th century bar, distilling displays and the fully restored Bradford House, which was originally built in 1788. 

The Bradford House is open for drop-in visitors Wednesday through Saturday from April through November, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., or you can schedule a guided tour throughout the year by appointment with 48-hour notice, except New Year’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

LeMoyne House - Named after 19th century physician and abolitionist Dr. Francis J. LeMoyne, the LeMoyne House is a National Historic Landmark and a preserved piece of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom for slaves escaping to Canada. If you think that's cool, there's more: it's also home to the very first crematory in the western hemisphere.

The LeMoyne House just underwent a significant restoration, so there's plenty to see inside this 1812 home. The crematory offers walk-in tours between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the second Saturday from May through September. Students, groups, and other visitors can book tours for both facilities by filling out a form online or calling 724-225-6740.

Duncan and Miller Glass Museum - Duncan & Miller Glass Company became famous nationwide for its glassware for all occasions, such as dinnerware, candlesticks, lamps, vases, bowls and crystalware. The company relocated to Washington County after a factory fire, but ultimately stopped making glass in 1955 after assembly lines and glassmaking machinery made handmade glass unprofitable. You can step back in time and explore countless unique, handmade pieces throughout the eras, making the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum a great addition to your rain and snow playbook.

The Duncan Miller Glass Museum is open seasonally from April through November, Thursday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tours can also be scheduled by appointment by calling 724-225-9950 or emailing docent@duncan-miller.org. 

Escape Room South: Located in McMurray, Escape Room South is a great way to get your kids' brains moving on a rainy and snowy day. With a continuously rotating sequence of escape rooms to test your skills with, kids and adults of all ages will have a blast at this escape room. The escape rooms have varying levels of difficulties, so you'll have fun whether you're looking for a little challenge or something more low-key. 

Escape Room South is open by appointment only Wednesday - Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

5th Street Escape Room: Located in the heart of a former bank in Charleroi, it's only natural that 5th Street Escape Room literally lets you rob a bank in one of its rooms. (All pretend, of course.) With 4 escape rooms to choose from, 5th Street's escape rooms are great for kids 8 and up. Some of the rooms are even wheelchair accessible. 

5th Street Escape Room is open Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park: Sometimes you just need to tire your kids out. Sky Zone in Canonsburg is your solution to that. With activities like dodgeball, rockwall climbing, a ninja warrior course, foam pits, basketball and more, there's plenty of fun to be had at Sky Zone. 

Sky Zone Canonsburg is open Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Planet Bounce Tanger Outlets: Whether you call them moon bounces, bouncy houses, bounce houses, inflatables, bouncy castles or moonwalks, Planet Bounce is a whole world of fun on a rainy or snowy day. With several different kinds of bounce houses that promise fun for adults and kids of all ages, Planet Bounce is a great addition to your rain and snow playbook. 

Planet Bounce Tanger Outlets is open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and reopens 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed Monday and open 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Bowling at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows: Kids and families will delight in the ultimate bowling experience at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. With 24 state-of-the-art bowling lanes and a VIP Suite, plenty of great food and drinks and speakers playing your favorite music, bowling at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows is a party just waiting to happen. (Those under 21 are welcome to bowl at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows - minors under 18 just have to be accompanied by an adult.)

Bowling hours at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows vary by day, so be sure to check their website for hours, updates or directions on how to get to the lanes. 

Charleroi Bowling Lanes: Strike up some fun on a rainy or snowy day at Charleroi Bowling Lanes, a family-owned bowling center that's also fully wheelchair accessible. 

Charleroi Bowling Lanes' hours vary by day, so be sure to check their Facebook page for hours and updates. 

Alpine Club Lanes: Located in Washington, PA, Alpine Club Lanes is a family-oriented bowling alley that offers both regular and cosmic bowling. Alpine Club Lanes even has special events and deals like comedy shows or $1 bowling from time to time, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates. 

Alpine Club Lanes' hours vary by day, but they're typically open later on the weekends. 

Art on the Avenue: With tie dye, ceramics, slime, painting and tons of other crafts on the table, Art on the Avenue in Washington definitely qualifies as one of those places you could spend all day in. 

Art on the Avenue is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Fired Up Art Studio: Fired Up Art Studio in McMurray is great fun for both adults and kids. Artists can enjoy pottery painting, glass fusion, mosaics and canvas painting. There's even art classes and group events on the event calendar so you and your friends can each try your hand at a fun craft together, or check out the kids' art camps that occur throughout the year. 

Fired Up Art Studio is open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. - 5p.m. on Sunday. 

Off the Wall Arts: Off the Wall Arts in Charleroi is the perfect place for painting, pottery and all sorts of craft events. You can book a paint party and get hands-on guidance from a seasoned artist, so no matter your artistic ability you'll have a great time.

Off the Wall Arts is open every day from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Little Lake Theatre: Little Lake Theatre is a different way to experience theatre arts! This intimate theatre-in-the-round has 135 seats surrounding the stage on all four sides, which lets you see and hear the actors up close for maximum immersion in the story happening on stage. Shows occur April through December, and some shows have even been adapted to be sensory-friendly, with dimmed lights, less intense sounds, a quiet area and more volunteers on staff to assist any guests that need a little extra help or time. 

Little Lake Theatre operates April - December. You can buy tickets at the box office or at Little Lake Theatre's website. 

Roll R Way Donora: Roll R Way Donora is a fun night out for the whole family. This roller skating rink has a calendar that's continuously packed with fun theme nights like Taylor Swift Night, 70's and 80's Night, Family Glow Skate and more. If you need a break from skating, there's even laser tag and a full snack bar that features a sandwich made not with bread, but a gigantic pickle. 

Roll R Way Donora's hours vary by day, so be sure to check its website for hours. 

Printscape Arena Southpointe: As we head towards the colder months, nothing says winter more than heading to Printscape Arena for a little ice skating. Kids can free skate, learn to play hockey or learn to skate with lessons on the NHL-sized ice. If all that makes you and the kiddos hungry, Bubba's Gourmet Burghers and Beer sits directly over the ice for a great view and an even better burger. 

Printscape Arena is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Ironblast's Game Zone: This storefront isn't any normal games, toys and merch store: it's also a full free play arcade with pinball, arcade games, console games and more - all the makes for a whole afternoon of fun. 

Ironblast's Game Zone's hours vary by day, but they're typically open later on the weekends.