Best Family-Friendly Spots in Downtown Boise

We have a pretty phenomenal downtown. It’s vibrant, active, clean, safe, and fun! Our family loves to go downtown and enjoy all that it has to offer. Let me tell you a little about some of the best family-friendly spots in downtown Boise.

What To Do in Downtown Boise With Kids

  • We usually start around 8th Street since it’s so walkable and there’s always so much happenin!
We ALWAYS take a picture here!

Freak Alley

  • Never. Gets. Old.
  • Be sure to print our interactive scavenger hunt before you go!

Grove Plaza

  • Great place to let the kids run around
  • Fun to play in the water features if they’re on!
  • Home of Alive After Five, Capital City Public Market, and the Holiday Tree Lighting & Ice Rink
“The Climber at JUMP”

JUMP

  • Kids of all ages love “the Climber” – The big rope pyramid thing
  • The slides are both fun and famous, but hours are limited
  • Always lots of fun, colorful things to see like big blow up balloons
We love these swings!

Cherie Buckner-Webb Park

  • You’ve probably driven past the landmark pink metal tree with swings
  • Green space to run around, kick a ball, set up a picnic
  • Follow @downtownboise on Instagram to see if there is a “DT Plays” happening when you’re there!

The Capitol Building

  • Kids love running up and down the big steps or around Cecil D. Andrus Park right in front
  • Check out the beautiful inside! Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Holidays’, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays

Where to Eat in Downtown Boise With Kids

  • We don’t always love going out to eat as a family because our kids are picky and hate sitting in one place for too long. But here are some of our favorites that are easy and kid-friendly!

The Warehouse

  • Think mall food court but waaaaaay yummier
  • Lots of open seating and something for everyone
See: Kid approved.

The Stil Ice Cream

  • World’s greatest flavor = Deja Vu (thank me later)
  • Unique and fun flavors with lots of sizes

Pie Hole Pizza

  • Crowd pleaser!
  • Single slices are easy to grab and go
Worth the sticky mess!

Tupelo Honey

  • Love their upstairs patio
  • Great waffles for kids and Southern faves for adults

Lemon Tree Co.

  • Legit sandwiches and salads!
  • Easy to grab and take to a green space (see above for ideas) for a picnic
The smiles say it all! 😉

10 Barrel Brewing

  • Kids meals served on a frisbee
  • It’s loud enough that you don’t have to worry about kids being annoying (IYKYK)

Kid-Friendly Stores/Shopping With Kids in Downtown Boise

  • Okay I have to be honest and say I haven’t taken my kids into many stores downtown because… well… kids. BUT here are a few that you might wanna check out!

City Kid Boutique

  • The CUTEST items for babies and kids
  • “City chic”

Idaho Made

  • As Idaho fanatics, we LOVE this store packed with local/Idaho-made items
  • Plenty of kid items

Flying M Coffeehouse

  • The gift shop in the front of this coffeehouse is packed with all kinds of fun stuff
  • Look for the BEST coloring book, Color Boise
    *Just a head’s up there are some more “adult” items intermixed (ex: swear words, political humor, pop culture, etc.)*

Re-POP Gifts

  • Their slogan is “your headquarters for the best pop culture gifts and fandom favorites”
  • Toys, games, apparel, prints, etc.
    *Same “head’s up” as above applies here too!*
  • Feels like an experience as much as a store, with photo ops and fun things to see for younger and older kids

The list could go on and on but hopefully this is a great start for you! What would you add as some of your family’s favorites? Let us know in the comments!

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