Your Guide to a Fun Summer in Boise for the Whole Family

It’s almost summertime in Boise, and it’s time to start planning some family fun to keep the kids busy during school break. Summertime is the best time for family activities, and there are so many things to do in the summer in Boise that your kids will never get bored. Use this list as a starting point to create some fantastic family adventures this summer.

Go exploring on the Ridge to Rivers trail.

The Ridge to Rivers Trail is an amazing place to have some outdoor family fun. There are more than 190 miles of trails in the Boise Foothills where you can hike, bike, ride horses, or ride ATVs and 4-wheelers. You can even bring your dogs and let them run, although they do need to be leashed. When the kids are tired of being cooped up in the house, some time on the Ridge to Rivers Trail will give them room to run.

Visit Idaho Botanical Garden.

Another fun way to spend the day outdoors is to visit the Idaho Botanical Garden. There’s much more than just flowers at the Botanical Garden, although there are many varieties of flowers and plants. The curated gardens and manicured walkways are perfect for small kids or for families who are still using strollers.

Go fishing at Esther Simplot Park.

Families that fish together have more fun! Try some fishing at Esther Simplot Park, where you can find 23 acres of ponds that are perfect for fishing, wading, and swimming. Just be aware that there are not always lifeguards on duty in the wading and swimming areas, and plan your activities accordingly.

Get wild at the zoo or the aquarium.

If your kids love animals, then spending a day at Zoo Boise will be something they will always remember. Don’t miss the new exhibit of African animals! Zoo Boise has partnered with the administrators of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Africa, to create the new Gorongosa National Park Exhibit and Expansion, where your kids can see and learn about African wild dogs, baboons, spotted hyenas, and crocodiles.

When it’s too warm to be outside or if it’s raining, spend the day in the dark, cool Boise Aquarium, where kids will be transported to the mysterious and thrilling world of ocean creatures.

Make learning fun at the Discovery Center of Idaho.

For hands-on learning that is exciting for kids, plan a day at the Discovery Center of Idaho. Kids can do science experiments, play games (that will teach them science without them even realizing it), and learn more about the world around them in a fun way.

Jump into summer at Jump.

Jump has something for every type of kid. This massive two-block complex has lots of different play areas, including jungle gyms, trampolines, and ball pits. But the main attraction at Jump is a massive five-story covered spiral slide that your kids will want to slide down over and over again. When the kids are getting wild but it’s too hot to play outside, head downtown to Jump.

Bike the Boise River Greenbelt.

Family bike rides along the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt are a wonderful way to be active as a family and enjoy some of the stunning Boise scenery. There are lots of picnic areas and places to stop and look at the river, so pack some snacks and have a family picnic when you’re tired of riding.

See birds of prey at Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

One of the most unique ways to spend an afternoon this summer is at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Your kids can get up close and personal with some of the most stunning and endangered birds in the world, such as peregrines, hawks, and raptors. There are educational presentations about birds of prey and the efforts to save them, as well as some beautiful scenery.

Bug out with a visit to Boise Urban Garden School.

If your kids love to play in the dirt or are interested in farming, they will love a visit to BUGS, the Boise Urban Garden School. Kids can learn where their food comes from, how to start a garden, and learn sustainable farming practices too. Your kids may learn to like their vegetables more after seeing how they are grown at BUGS.

Cool off at Idaho IceWorld.

And when it’s just too hot to move and you need to escape the heat, take the kids to Idaho IceWorld for some skating. There are skating classes, hockey classes, pickup hockey games, and free skate periods so that your kids can cool off with some time on the ice.

Enjoy the summer.

Kids grow up so fast that before you know it these summer adventures will be just memories. Enjoy the best family fun activities in Boise, and if your child has a dental emergency or you have any concerns about their dental health during the summer, call us at Staley Dental, the best dental care in Boise, and we’ll help get your summer back on track.