Things to do with kids in Boise, ID
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Boise time)
Coming up in Boise: Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K (Nov 26), $3 Admission Days at Zoo Boise (from Nov 27), Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov 27) and 2 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Zoo Boise and Discovery Center of Idaho. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Boise
Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 9am
- Cost
- Kids 5K $18 + fee; 5K $45–$55 + fee (rises after Nov 3 and Nov 19)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk by the Capitol, with a separate Kids 5K for ages 12 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
$3 Admission Days at Zoo Boise
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Thu, Dec 31 (Nov 27 and Dec 19–31 (closed Dec 25)) · 10am–5pm
- Cost
- $3 per person admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
All zoo admissions are $3 the day after Thanksgiving and over the holiday break, plus $3 hot dogs, fountain drinks and popcorn.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · 5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The Friday after Thanksgiving, a towering evergreen with more than 5,000 lights is lit in a free, all-ages ceremony with live holiday music and a candle-lighting tradition.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 & Sun, Dec 6 & Sat, Dec 12 (Dec 5, 6 and 12) · 8:30–10:45am
- Cost
- Youth (3–11) $21 members / $26 nonmembers; general $36 / $41
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A buffet breakfast, personal time and photos with Santa, kids’ crafts and an animal experience, then the rest of the day to explore the zoo.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Pajama Storytime at the Downtown Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Dec 16 (Wednesdays) · 6:30–7pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Put on jammies, grab a stuffie and head to the third floor for an evening of books and dancing designed for families.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Zoo Boise
- Price
- Ages 12–61 $15; kids 3–11 $12; 2 and under free (Thursday rates lower; prices include a $1 conservation fee)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open daily 10am–5pm (last admission 4pm); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Discovery Center of Idaho
- Price
- Adults $13.50; seniors $12; ages 2–17 $9; under 2 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on science center downtown; Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm; free parking next door
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Idaho Botanical Garden
- Price
- Adults $15; seniors and students $13; youth $9; members and kids 3 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
32 acres of gardens including a Children’s Adventure Garden; open daily 9am–5pm (last admission 4pm); free parking (lot temporarily closed—park at Table Rock Trailhead)
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Idaho State Museum
- Price
- Adults $10; ages 6–17 $5; 5 and under free; EBT cardholders $3 (up to 4)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Idaho history museum in Julia Davis Park; last admission 4:15pm; kids 12 and under need a chaperone 16+
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Julia Davis Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown riverside park with a playground (ages 2–12), open lawns and the zoo and museums nearby; open sunrise to midnight
Boise Public Library – Downtown
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown library with a children’s area and family programs like Pajama Storytime
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Boise this weekend?
Zoo Boise, Discovery Center of Idaho and Idaho Botanical Garden are open most days, but we don't have a Boise event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K (Nov 26) and $3 Admission Days at Zoo Boise (Nov 27).
What time is trick-or-treating in Boise?
Sunset on Halloween in Boise is at 6:36 p.m. Boise doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Boise?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 upcoming event in Boise, including Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting (Fri, Nov 27).
Where can kids play indoors in Boise when it's cold or snowy?
We list 3 indoor places in Boise: Discovery Center of Idaho (kids 2–17 $9), Idaho State Museum (kids 6–17 $5) and Boise Public Library – Downtown.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Boise?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Boise: Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Boise area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Boise?
We list 1 event with Santa in Boise: Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (Dec 5 – Dec 12). Our Santa guide for the Boise area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Boise?
We list 1 holiday light event in Boise: Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov 27, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Boise?
We list 1 everyday program in Boise: Pajama Storytime at the Downtown Library (Wednesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Boise?
We list 4 places in Boise that welcome kids under 2, including Zoo Boise, Idaho Botanical Garden and Julia Davis Park. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Boise?
The best-known family attractions we list in Boise are Zoo Boise (kids 3–11 $12) and Discovery Center of Idaho (kids 2–17 $9). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Boise family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Boise: Zoo Boise (adult $15, kids 3–11 $12), Discovery Center of Idaho (adult $13.5, kids 2–17 $9), Idaho Botanical Garden (adult $15, kids $9) and Idaho State Museum (adult $10, kids 6–17 $5). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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