17 Fun Things to Do in Boise With Kids
Planning a family vacation to Boise, Idaho? You are in luck because this PNW hot-spot is the epitome of family friendly. Our complete guide of the top things to do in Boise with kids will keep your family busy and entertained! And it will help you experience the best our city has to offer in any season!
While most people think of outdoors adventures when they think of Idaho, I promise we’ve included some activities perfect for a city-slicker long weekend.
When to Visit Boise
The best time of year to visit Boise entirely depends on what you are hoping to do on your family vacation! Our list of the top things to do in Boise with kids covers activities that are perfect for all seasons.
What to Know About Boise Weather
Winter. Boise does get cold in winter but most likely has more mild weather than you are imagining. While snow isn’t uncommon, you will find that the city effectively shuts down after it gets more than a few inches. The best thing about Boise in winter? The sunshine!
Spring. Boise is lovely when in bloom! Just beware that spring flowers come with a side of wind. April and May can see strong gusts that make some outdoor activities unpleasant.
Summer. Thankfully Boise experiences dry heat because it gets hot here! While June is typically mild, July and August frequently experience temperatures in the triple digits. August can also bring wild fires which can impact air quality and make outdoor activities unsafe. We recommend visiting earlier in the summer or in fall.
Fall. Our favorite season in Boise! Trees are changing color and the sky is typically a brilliant shade of blue. You can enjoy all of Boise’s outdoor activities during the fall making it the perfect season to visit.
Average Boise Temperatures by Month
| Month | Average High (°F) | Average Low (°F) |
| January | 39 | 22 |
| February | 46 | 27 |
| March | 56 | 32 |
| April | 65 | 37 |
| May | 74 | 44 |
| June | 84 | 51 |
| July | 93 | 58 |
| August | 92 | 57 |
| September | 81 | 49 |
| October | 68 | 39 |
| November | 51 | 30 |
| December | 40 | 23 |
Things to Do in Boise With Kids When It’s Cold
Go Skiing at Bogus Basin
Even if you never skied before, no trip to Boise would be complete without heading up to Bogus Basin to hit the slopes! Just under an hour from Boise, its amazing to have a family friendly ski slope so near the city. Kids will enjoy grabbing a hot chocolate and camping out by the fire pits after a day of skiing. Not sure skiing is your thing? I highly recommend trying cross country skiing at Bogus Basin. They have adult and kid sized rentals and rent out a few chariots that you can use to pull babies and toddlers. Their beginner trail is perfect for people looking for a fun and easy way to get active outdoors.
Go Snowshoeing
Not sure skiing is for you? Grab a pair of rental snowshoes and hit the trails. We typically rent ours from McU Sports before heading up to Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail Head . You can also snowshoe at Bogus Basin if you want to split your time between different outdoor winter sports.
Go Tubing or Sledding
Sledding is the quintessential winter family activity and there are so many great free sledding hills in Boise. If you are looking for more of a thrill head to one of the organized tubing hills, Eagle State Park and Bogus Basin have fantastic options that are suitable for older toddlers and up.
Go to a Hot Spring
Did you know Idaho has over 200 natural hot springs? While most of the natural hot springs are two plus hours out of town, The Springs at Idaho City is an amazing maintained pool option that is located just one hour out of town. Reservations are required and book up in the winter months so make sure to book early. Children are only allowed during specific timeslots so look at the details when you book.
Things to Do In Boise With Kids When It’s Warm
Float the Boise River
No summer trip to Boise is complete without floating the Boise River! You’ll head east to Barber Park where you can rent inflatable boats or launch your own boat, kayak, paddleboard, or tube. The river is family friendly with minimal ‘rapids’ and you’ll see plenty of people relaxing in innertubes and floating down with a beer in hand. I highly recommend renting a boat onsite and floating down to Ann Morrison Park and then taking the bus back to pick up your car. The entire float takes 2-3 hours but there are plenty of inlets you can pull off on to let your kids splash in shallow water or build sand castles. Make sure to pack sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water! We love to bring a speaker with us so we can blast the kid’s favorite songs too.
Bike the Boise Greenbelt
Another Boise staple, if you are planning a trip to Boise you should plan at minimum to walk along the Boise Greenbelt. Gorgeous in any season, the greenbelt particularly shines in Fall when the trees are changing colors. The Boise Greenbelt is perfect for kids. It’s 25 miles of paved trails along the river. Kids can quack at the ducks, skip rocks, play at numerous playgrounds including the large Ann Morrison, and visit the Boise Zoo. You’ll see tons of families on rented scooters, biking, or just strolling along the greenbelt.
Go Paddleboarding
Fun fact, Boise was actually the first place I went paddleboarding! There are a few different kid-friendly options for paddleboarding in Boise. If you are just visiting for a quick trip, head to Esther Simplot Park and rent a standup paddle board or kayak and paddle around the little lakes. If you have more time or bring your gear with you, head just outside of Boise to Lucky Peak Lake or Arrowrock Reservoir for paddle boarding or boating. Lucky Peak Lake is popular with families and has a beach area with a splash fountain. At Arrowrock Reservoir, we like to put our paddleboards in at Robie Creek which has covered pavilions you can rent and a small playground in addition to a sandy beach that is perfect for launching paddleboards.
You can paddleboard down the Boise River but I’d recommend skipping it with young kids. While it’s totally safe and doable, the river is cold and there are a few places that can get a little rough. My kids would spend the whole time sitting so it’s easier to just stick to a raft.
Enjoy a Day at Camel’s Back Park
A great view of downtown Boise with a playground? Yes, please! Camel’s Back Park is located in the historic North End and is a perfect way to spend a warm Boise day. I recommend you plan for a few hours at the park and make a full day of it. Stroll down to the charming main drag and enjoy lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Certified Bakery, then head to Camel’s Back Park. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the playground and hike up Camel’s Back Trail for the great views. It’s really just a step incline with some stairs and a good view. It doesn’t take much time at all!
Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden
The Idaho Botanical Garden may seem small on paper but the charming nooks and crannies are perfect for imaginative kids who want to make their own magic. We typically bring a wagon and full picnic and spend an entire day at the Idaho Botanical Garden. The kids love some of their annual events so make sure to check out their calendar before your visit. Our favorites include the Scarecrow Stroll and Winter Lights (yes winter, I know!). They also have an outdoor concert venue that hosts some great bands during the summer.
Go Hiking
Looking for some adventures things to do in Boise with kids? The Boise area has no shortage of family friendly hikes but some of our favorites with the kids include:
- Elephant Rock: a 1-mile loop out of the Military Reserve with a surprise at the end: a giant rock that looks like an elephant!
- Hulls Gulch Nature Trail: a 6-mile out and back that is moderately challenging, we typically just tackle the first portion of this hike with kids.
- Jump Creek Falls: A great option for families, Jump Creek Falls is located an hour outside of Boise this easy hike is less than a mile and includes a 60-foot waterfall. Note: this area is popular for poison ivy and rattlesnakes so make sure you visit during the right season and educate your kids on trail saefty.
- Freddy’s Stack Rock: you’ll drive out of town on Bogus Basin road to reach Freddy’s Stack Rock in the Boise foothills. The upper parking lot has a bathroom while the lower lot is just a gravel pullout. However, the lower lot cuts out the majority of the elevation gain on this hike making it even more kid friendly. At 12-miles this is another hike we like to do a portion of before turning around.
Visit Zoo Boise
One of our favorite options for families visiting Boise is spending the day at Zoo Boise and along the Boise Greenbelt. While Zoo Boise is on the smaller side that just means its perfect for little travelers! You’ll find many zoo staples like tigers and a petting zoo, which is always a fan favorite. We tend to get stuck in the meerkat tunnels and spend an entire day at the zoo before making it very far. Consider yourself warned!
Ride the Alpine Coaster at Bogus Basin
Looking for an adrenaline rush? Head up to Bogus Basin during warm weather so you can spend the day tubing down a track, bouncing on a trampoline, hiking, and of course, riding the alpine coaster! I recommend getting a day pass because your kids won’t want to stop at just one ride. Depending on when you visit, Bogus Basin occasionally has events like yoga and live music that are a blast too. You can combine an afternoon at Bogus Basin with a morning spent hiking in the foothills for the perfect mix of adventurous family fun.
Pro tip: bring a beach umbrella or tent with you if you are visiting in summer. While Bogus Basin is cooler than Boise-proper it can still get quite hot and sunny in the summer. Pop up your tent in the grassy field and have a nice shaded homebase for your adventures.
Things to Do In Boise With Kids In Any Season
Enjoy The Art at Freak Gallery Alley
Street art anyone? We love to play eye-spy and challenge the kids to find different shapes, murals, and colors as we stroll the Freak Gallery Alley. Located off of 8th street, this street art alley is next to a ton of the best restaurants in Boise. Pair it with a great brunch and you’ll have some good food and great culture! We also bring bubbles for the kids to chase in case they get sick of looking at art before we do.
Visit the Idaho State Museum
I almost don’t want to recommend the Idaho State Museum because this is our family’s happy place, but I guess I can share! While the Idaho State Museum may not seem kid friendly at first, I can promise your kids will love it and you’ll love the air conditioning in the summer and the low crowds. The basement includes an interactive gold mine and coal train for kids and a large room with foam blocks. Upstairs are more educational exhibits. The last time we were here my toddler spent over an hour playing an interactive game about water health! In addition to the fulltime exhibits about the Oregon trail and Idaho fires, kids can enjoy a room with rotating exhibits. This is one of the best things to do in Boise with kids that is sure to please adults too!
Visit the Boise Museum of Art
Art museums don’t always scream family friendly, but BAM is a great quick stop for kids. BAM’s ARTexperience Gallery is a space designed for children and families. Kids will enjoy rotating interactive art stations that will allow them to flex their creative muscles. And the best part, kids under five get in for free!
Take A Cooking Class at Season and Salt
Cooking classes are a great way to get to know a city and Boise is no different! What makes Season and Salt different is that they offer cooking classes designed for families that will let kids get hands on safely. It’s a great way to spend an evening, especially if you visit during winter and are looking for an indoor activity.
World Center for Birds of Prey
Looking for something off the beaten path to do in Boise with kids? Don’t sleep on the World Center for Birds of Prey, even in winter! I’m embarrassed to say it took us entirely too long to visit the World Center for Birds of Prey after moving to Boise. Now we are regulars! Kids can learn about different raptures and even see some up close during one of the handler sessions. Give yourself more time than you think you need because you are going to need it!
Where to Stay in Boise
Before we jump into our list of the top things to do in Boise with kids, we wanted to recommend the best family friendly lodging, the Boise Whitewater Villa. This three bedroom home features a bunk bed room making it a perfect homebase even for larger families. Beyond the perfect bedroom setups, the first floor of the home is large and airy and comes with a gourmet kitchen. But the true highlight of the Boise Whitewater Villa is the massive backyard that features a firepit, grill area, hammock, hot tub, and heated pool. While the home is perfect in any season (we stayed in winter), I would highly recommend you stay at the Boise Whitewater Villa in late spring, summer, or fall so you can fully enjoy the outdoor amenities and the home’s proximity to the Boise Greenbelt and Esther Simplot park.
Where to Eat in Boise
Did you know Boise is home to a James Beard award winning chef? Well it is! While KIN is definitely a date night spot, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for a family vacation to Boise. Fortunately, there are tons of delicious and family friendly restaurants in downtown Boise. Here are just a few of our favorites.
The Wylder
The Wylder is hands down our favorite restaurant in Boise. Just like you can’t visit Boise without walking along the Greenbelt, you also can’t visit Boise without eating at the Wylder. Specializing in sourdough wood fired pizza, the Wylder is delicious! They also have some of the best salads and appetizers we’ve ever had in Boise. They don’t take reservations so try to get there early for dinner or late for lunch to avoid crowds. Our favorite pizzas are the Gem State and Honeybadger. The kids love the traditional pepperoni.
Looking for more pizza recommendations? Check out our list of the best pizza restaurants in Boise.
Saint Lawrence Gridiron
You can’t go wrong at the Saint Lawrence Gridiron, from brunch to dinner they’ve got it all nailed. Right off the main drag, you’ll find it easier to avoid crowds at Saint Lawrence Gridiron making it the perfect location if you are looking for a delicious meal during peak hours. Some of our family’s favorites include their biscuits during brunch, the dirty bird chicken sandwich, and the brisket.
Fork
A go to spot for locals celebrating special occasions, we love eating at Fork for brunch or lunch before a long day of window shopping and exploring downtown. Some of our favorite dishes include burgers and the trout. Our kids love the kids menu and typically get pasta with meatballs (random, but delicious!).
The STIL
Where else can you get an ice cream flight paired with a beer flight? Ok, this one might be just as much for the adults as it is for the kids! But how fun is that?! The STIL not only offers beer and ice cream flights, they offer tons of delicious ice cream flavors that are vegan and gluten free making this a perfect stop for families with food allergies.
There are so many fun things to do in Boise! The city is a perfect destination for families looking for a mix of outdoor activities, culture, and amazing food. Make sure to add Boise to your travel bucket list!
