Kids Day America brings interactive learning to Butler youth
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — For it’s 26th year, Kids Day America returned to the Butler Farm Show grounds to deliver hands on education and experiences to the community’s children on Saturday, May 9.
“I think they learn more whenever it’s interactive, and they really like being social and getting to see all of the cool things that Butler county has to offer,” Kristen Cress, a mother from Penn Township, said.
The event offers a day of vendor provided experiences to quench childhood curiosity. Groups set up tables filled with attractions, games, balloons or informational packets with services they offer, educating the whole family on the county’s resources.
Heart and Soul Parrot Rescue attended the event with some rescued parrots, and taught children how to hold and handle the animals. Children learned how birds behave, where they come from and what they’re called, feeding their curiosity through experiences.
Sherry Johnson, the owner of the rescue, said birds are the third most re-homed animal in the country, so youths should understand and be able to handle them in the same way they can with dogs and cats.
“We’re all about giving back to the community, so we do events that are free, and most people don’t get to handle birds, so it’s a fun event,” Johnson said.
Johnson also pointed out that children can discover a new interest through attending the event. They may come out of the experience with a new hobby or even a new dream pet.
“Hopefully we sport their interest and when they get a little older they say ‘We want a bird now’ and they come visit us and adopt,” Johnson said.
Family Pathways set up a table with a game of mini fish bowl toss. Cobi Weale, a supervisor, said the goal at the event was to communicate with the families in the area about the services Family Pathways offers.
“We kind of just want to inform people on what they can do to help, because not a lot of people know exactly what that is that they can do,” Weale said.
Penn State Extension set up a booth and offered attendees free seeds to start their own gardens, including milkweed for any resident butterflies. Free samples like these allow children to continue fostering their curiosity after the event, as well as leaves a lasting impression on them.
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Easton Carney walks a tight rope during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Austin Kapsin plays a game with glass bottles during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Members of the Shriners Band of Pittsburgh perform during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Isla Hare, 5, puts on a crown during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Isla Hare, 5, puts on a crown during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Ruby Grosclaude and her mother Brittany play an inflatable axe throwing game during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Children play in a bounce house during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jerry Slater shoots basketballs during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jerry Slater, left, and Timothy Hawk shoot basketballs during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Wrigley Garcia, 9, cast a fishing rod during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Thomas Hawk, center, plays in a bounce house during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Isaac Hartman plays in a bounce house during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Wrigley Garcia, 9, hold sup a fish caught during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Chase Franford, 5, fishes during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Ruth Cherry, 4, looks at a deer pelt during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Luka Bandzak, 5, shoots a basketball with a lift from his great grandfather during the 26th Annual Kids Day America at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
