Looking for a fun, low-pressure way to plan family adventures this year? Here’s a bingo board with 25 family-friendly things to do around Boise this year! Instead of a long bucket list, try the Boise With Kids Bingo Board! The goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to explore Boise one square at a time and see how many you can check off together.
Print it, screenshot it, or keep it on your fridge—and let the kids help choose what square to tackle next.
Explore a New Boise Trail
There are so many amazing trails around Boise. This year, explore a new Boise trail. You can try one of these Toddler-Friendly hikes, or check out our Trail Tuesday posts where we cover hiking trails like Hulls Gulch or Camel’s Back. There are so many great nature areas in Boise where you can explore new trails with your family.
Go to the Zoo
Zoo Boise is a great local resource for kids to spend the day walking around and seeing the amazing animals at our zoo. They also have education programs, $3 Thursdays in the winter, and animal encounters to make the visit even more special. It’s never too early to foster the love of animal conservation!
Walk or Bike the Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt is approximately 25 miles long. It’s been around for over 50 years now and is hands down one of our family’s favorite parts of Boise. Here are some tips on exploring the Boise River Greenbelt for families.
Be a Tourist for a Day
There are so many places we don’t think to go when we live here, so spend the day doing those things! Freak Alley, The Idaho State Museum, Old Idaho Penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Gardens, the Capitol Building, or the Boise Depot are all great places to visit—even if you’re not a tourist.
Visit a New Park
The Treasure Valley is filled with amazing parks. We’ve got blogs with toddler-friendly parks, parks near coffee shops, and parks with playgrounds. If you want more help finding a new park, I’ve also got a list of my favorite Meridian parks, Garden City parks, and even a parks report card download so you can rate the parks you see yourself!
Go to the Library
Boise libraries are so much more than books. From storytimes and STEM activities to cozy reading corners and free events, a library visit is an easy (and free!) way to spend quality time together—especially on hot or chilly days. Try the Garden City Library, Boise’s Library!, or the Orchard Park Library in Meridian (among many other great libraries in the Treasure Valley!). It’s not just quiet reading, it’s kids activities, summer reading programs, community events, and so much more.
Attend a Community Event
Community events are a great way to experience Boise’s family-friendly vibe. Plus, many are perfect for all ages. Some popular community events include Spirit of Boise, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Goathead Fest, the Fair in the summer, Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees, outdoor movies, Boise Twilight Criterium, Art in the Park, the Hyde Park Street Fair, and more! There’s always something happening at JUMP, your local library, and in downtown Boise.
Try a New Local Restaurant
Make dinner an adventure by trying a local restaurant your family hasn’t visited yet. Boise has tons of kid-friendly spots, and saying yes to somewhere new can turn an ordinary meal into a fun memory. Find some of our favorite family-friendly restaurants, places where kids eat free (some local, some not), the best ice cream shops, and the best pizza places.
See a Show at the Morrison Center
Whether it’s a ballet, musical, concert, or kid-focused performance, the Morrison Center offers memorable live shows that feel extra special for kids—especially if it’s their first theater experience. Find what’s coming right here.
Go to a First Thursday Event
First Thursday in Downtown Boise is a monthly event (usually 5–9 PM) where local businesses, art galleries, shops, and restaurants offer special activities, sales, art exhibits, live music, and food/drink samples, creating a lively, community-focused evening to explore the downtown area in the warmer months. Have fun exploring with the kids!
Take a Day Trip
The Treasure Valley is filled with amazing things to do, but we’re also surrounded by some amazing locations as well. One of the best things about Boise is how close it is to great adventures. Idaho City for the hot springs, Jump Creek or Lucky Peak for swimming, Emmett for the Cherry Festival, or the archaeological park, Celebration Park in Melba – a simple day trip can feel like a mini vacation. Find more ideas here!
Take the Family to a Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s markets are a fun way to spend a morning—snacks, live music, local vendors, and fresh produce included. Let kids help pick out something new to try or choose ingredients for a meal at home.
Go to a Pumpkin Patch
Fall in the Treasure Valley isn’t complete without a pumpkin patch visit. Corn mazes, hayrides, animals, and pumpkins make this an easy seasonal win for family fun. We’ve got SO MANY amazing patches in the valley. Find our list here.
Enjoy a Swimming Pool or Splash Pad
When the weather heats up, nothing beats water play. Boise-area pools and splash pads are perfect for cooling off, burning energy, and spending a relaxed summer afternoon together. We’ve got your guide to all things splash pad and your local pools to make things easier when summer rolls around.
Go to and Indoor Play Place
For rainy days, smoky air, or winter afternoons, indoor play places are a lifesaver. They give kids space to climb, jump, and run—while parents get a break from entertaining at home. From Planet Kid to Jabbers to Pojos to a number of trampoline parks and more, there’s so many fun indoor play places! Plus, check out our list of indoor activities and indoor birthday options.
Try a Kid’s Class or Workshop
Art, music, science, cooking—Boise offers so many kid-friendly classes and workshops. Trying something new helps kids build confidence and discover interests they might not even know they have yet. You can find these through your library, JUMP, the Discovery Center, Home Depot Kids Workshops, Boise Art Museum, and even our events calendar!
Attend a Local Sporting Event
Cheering on a local team is exciting for kids to show their Boise pride! From Boise State football games to Hawks baseball, Steelheads hockey, or more Boise State or high school sports, it’s a great way to experience community pride together. We always have sporting events on our events calendar for you to check out with the whole family.
See Some Live Music
Live music doesn’t have to mean late nights. Look for family-friendly concerts, outdoor performances, or daytime events where kids can dance, listen, and experience music in a fun, low-pressure way. Or if your kids are older or up for the adventure, a traditional concert will work just fine! Thankfully, Boise has a TON of options. Try Treefort Music Fest, Boise Music Fest, Alive After Five for free local shows, Outlaw Field Summer Concerts, the Boise Baroque Orchestra, or even the many live performances at a kid-friendly brewery.
Visit Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin isn’t just for winter sports. In colder months, it’s perfect for skiing and tubing; in warmer months, hiking and mountain activities make it a year-round family favorite. Bogus is an amazing location for all of your outdoor adventures as a family, no matter the time of year.
Visit the World Center for Birds of Prey
The World Center for Birds of Prey is a unique local gem that is both educational and awe-inspiring. Kids love seeing birds up close, and the outdoor setting makes it an easy, memorable outing. There’s also flight sightings where you can watch the birds fly, coloring stations, an indoor activity center for kids, and more! It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Have a Picnic
Sometimes the simplest plans are the best. Pack lunch, grab a blanket, and head to a park. (Make it a new park and mark two things off your bingo board!) Picnics are low-cost, flexible, and perfect for slowing down and enjoying time together. Pick a park, grab your supplies, and commit to a whole afternoon exploring, reading, playing, and relaxing. In the summer, look for Free Lunches in the parks provided by the school districts.
Switch to a Local Business
Challenge your family to support a local shop, bakery, or service instead of a big chain. It’s a great way to teach kids about community while discovering new favorite places. There are so many great local car detailers, cleaning companies, small shops, and more in the Treasure Valley. This year, try to switch to a local business! Find some in our Directory!
Go to a Local Spot You’ve Never Been
There’s probably a Boise spot you’ve driven past a hundred times but never stopped at. This bingo square is all about curiosity—pick somewhere new and see where the day takes you. There are SO many places in Boise I know are staples that I’ve never been to, this year I want to get there!
Go to a Museum
Boise-area museums offer hands-on exhibits, rotating displays, and special family programming. Whether it’s science, history, or art, museums are a great way to mix learning with fun. Try the Idaho State Museum, the Children’s Museum of Idaho, Old Idaho Penitentiary, Basque Museum & Cultural Center, MK Nature Center, Discovery Center of Idaho, Boise Art Museum, or the Museum of Mining & Geology.
Print this list, keep it on your fridge, or turn it into a family challenge where everyone picks their top five. Let them color in the squares you complete. Don’t forget your Boise With Kids FREE space! You don’t have to do it all. Just enough to make the year feel full, fun, and connected! Tag us on social media @boisewithkids if you take on this fun challenge!
Here’s to a year of exploring Boise with kids—one adventure at a time!