DISCLOSURE: Affiliate links are used on this site and may be used in this post.
Did you know that you could benefit from certain educator discounts as a homeschool family? Many national companies participate in discount programs to help educators cut some of their overall costs. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about some wonderful local businesses which also offer discounts to Pittsburgh homeschooling families!
Gymsport Athletic Center
Located in Bridgeville, Gymsport Athletic Center is an expansive facility, offering gymnastics and tumbling classes. One of their newer additions is a daytime course in parkour for homeschoolers from ages 6-18. If you’ve never heard of parkour, it is a high energy physical training method in which the goal is to navigate through a series of obstacles at a rapid pace. These special discounted classes are offered for $82/month for a one-hour class per week. This adds up to a savings of $14 a month! Promote a healthy and active lifestyle while saving money at the same time. Plus, after burning off some excess energy, maybe it will encourage your kids to stop jumping off your furniture. Eh…who am I kidding?
Gymsport Parkour Area
Ascend Pittsburgh
If rock climbing is more of your thing, ASCEND Pittsburgh in the Southside is the place to be! Pittsburgh’s premier rock-climbing gym, ASCEND offers over 27,000 square feet of awesome space filled with intricate, colorful climbing stations. ASCEND welcomes homeschool families Monday – Friday from 10am-2pm at a reduced rate. Just $8 for a youth day pass ($2 off regular price) and $10 for an adult day pass ($6 off regular price). Must provide proof of homeschool status. Non-climbers/chaperones will not be charged. Rentals are not included and children 13 and under must be directly supervised by an adult.
ASCEND Pittsburgh
Pat Catan’s
Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE Pat Catan’s. Whether I am looking for inexpensive holiday decorations or arts & crafts supplies for our homeschool, Pat Catan’s is my go-to spot. They even have a section with specific teaching tools like educational posters and bulletin board materials. As a homeschooling family, you can enjoy an extra 10% off savings with each purchase by enrolling in their A+ Educator Savings Program. Additional benefits include invitations to special events and promotions. Registration is simple! Just stop by your nearest location and show them your school district letter of intent to homeschool and/or your homeschool I.D. card.
Flight Trampoline Park
Once you have picked up all of your arts and crafts supplies from Pat Catan’s you can bounce on over to Flight Trampoline Park (see what I did there?). Enjoy special homeschool hours on Fridays from 12pm-5pm at a discounted rate of $10 per hour, per person.
Flight Trampoline Park – Bridgeville, PA
Tix for Teachers – Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Looking for discount tickets for upcoming performances? Tix for Teachers is a wonderful program providing educators affordable tickets to select events presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Promote education and cultural awareness and inspire a love of arts and music in your students!
Ticket sources include:
- August Wilson Center
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
- Pittsburgh CLO
- Pittsburgh Public Theater
- Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
E2 Toys to Try
If you enjoy incorporating interesting games and puzzles into your studies, E2 Toys to Try offers a wide variety to meet your family’s needs! A unique indoor playground, located just minutes from I-79, E2 combines play and learning. This family-owned and operated play center and toy store promotes learning through imaginative play, gross motor skill development, and sensory exploration. Educators will receive a 10% discount on store merchandise upon proof of homeschooling status.
E2 Toys to Try
Penguin Bookshop
What homeschool family doesn’t need more books?!? In the heart of Sewickley lies the Penguin Bookshop. This lovely independent bookstore offers a vast array of books, magazines, and newspapers making it a prime literary resource for readers of all ages throughout the Pittsburgh region. The store owners extend the 10% off educator discount to homeschooling families with proof of homeschool status for their teaching materials.
Penguin Bookshop – Sewickley, PA
So, what is a homeschool I.D. card?
As I stated, most places require you to provide proof of homeschooling status. Relax. It’s not as intimidating or exciting as it sounds. Thanks to the Homeschool Buyers Co-op it’s actually really simple! Just select your preferred template, fill in your homeschool information, and print.
Sample Homeschool I.D.
That’s it! Easy peasy. As for printing, you can either print your own card at home or you can order a PVC card for $7.95 plus shipping. I opted to print mine and laminate it to avoid damage. You can also present businesses with a letter from your school district, private, or virtual school which can verify your status as a homeschooling family if they request further verification.
HumbleLee Homeschooled 