Happy summer, Boise families! With the fun of summer comes the stress of making sure there’s enough to do in a day without breaking the bank. Staying home makes us all stir crazy, but who can afford the cost of going somewhere to eat or play every day? We’ve got you covered with some free summer activities in Boise with kids.
Freak Alley
Go downtown and explore the Freak Alley Gallery! It’s such an interesting, unique spot and you’ll always discover a new area to fall in love with. You’ll definitely want to bring a camera. And don’t forget our super fun interactive scavenger hunt! Find it here with this blog post.
The Greenbelt
Walk, ride, or find a spot to lounge by the river on the Boise River Greenbelt. With over 25 miles to explore there’s likely a great spot close to you. My boys always liked watching people on the wave at the Boise Whitewater Park. Find our blog post about it here!
JUMP
JUMP (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place) is a staple in the Boise community. It was created with the intention of providing space for the community to “inspire, grow and innovate” and it definitely does exactly that! Your family will love all of the features of the “Park” like the five story tubular slide (weather and time permitting) and climbing up the three story net structure perfectly named “The Climber” – just to name a few highlights. Before you go, you’ll want to check the events calendar to see what kind of fun things are happening. There are free concerts every other Tuesday throughout the summer. These are specifically marketed as all-ages, family-friendly events.
Hiking
Spend this summer exploring one of the best parts of living in Idaho: the outdoors. There are so many great hiking opportunities for kids of all ages around the Treasure Valley. We have a blog post with some Toddler-Friendly Hikes in Boise written with help from our friend Holly at All Weather Adventuring who also wrote the HIking With Kids Idaho book! You can head to Bogus to hike, try Jump Creek, or any other amazing trail in our area and it’s all free.
MK Nature Center
Kids can watch fish swim beneath the bridges, explore nature exhibits, stroll through gardens, and learn about Idaho wildlife. It’s educational, outdoors, and completely free. Here’s a blog post we wrote about it!
Boise Watershed
Explore more than 25 new exhibits in the interactive exhibit hall that connect you to the Treasure Valley’s essential resource: the Boise River Watershed. Shape a sand watershed, dance in the snow theater, tinker at the innovation station, and pledge to make a difference in our community. Here’s a blog post about it!
Eagle Island State Park
Just west of Boise you can escape into 545 acres at Eagle Island State Park! Bordered by the Boise River you can find beaches, a disc golf course, grassy areas and miles of trails to walk or even horseback ride. Day-use motor vehicle entry fees are required for all visitors, though it is free if you have an Idaho State Parks Passport on your vehicle registration.
The Village
Just across the border of Boise and Meridian off Fairview and Eagle roads you’ll find The Village at Meridian. It’s an amazing outdoor shopping experience with all kinds of retail spots, delicious restaurants, a movie theater, fun playground, gorgeous water fountains and so much more. It’s always busy and always fun! As far as free fun goes, the playground and fountain are a hit with kids. There are often free events, find that calendar here.
Parks
The City of Boise is home to some incredible parks and over 50 of them have playground equipment. Check out this post to see how you can use Boise’s Parks and Recreation website to find what you’re looking for. Want to “grade” each park to remember your favorite? Download our Park Report Card here!
The Library
Libraries offer the community SO much. Besides the incredible collection of books, there are so many great activities within the library and some great family-friendly events offered on a regular basis. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong by visiting the library! On really hot days during the summer, this is a great free activity to beat the heat.
Free Crafting
The Tuesday afternoon drop in craft time at Books on the Vine will now be a free or donation only craft time. This will be every Tuesday all summer starting in June! You don’t have to stay the full time, just drop in anytime between 1pm-2:30pm! Find more info here!
ACHD Community Events
ACHD is hosting free community events all summer at Mountain View park! They have a community bike ride, skate lessons, a rock painting party, bike rodeo and more! Find more info here!
Bowling
There are four bowling alleys in Boise and Meridian where kids can bowl free this summer! Though you’ll still have to pay for renting shoes, the bowl itself is free on set dates and times. Find info on the bowl free program here!
Splash Pads
A great cost effective way to stay cool this summer is at one of our amazing splash pads! Here’s a list of the best splash pads in the Treasure Valley so you can save money and stay cool.
Vacation Bible School
Several churches across the Treasure Valley offer completely free Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs. Ask your church or find a church in your area about VBS options that are free for families.
Family Movie Nights
There are a ton of amazing family movie nights happening throughout the Treasure Valley this summer playing new and old favorites! Check out our blog post here outlining all the best options for your area.
Free Breakfast and Lunch
Free Summer Meals is a great program by Boise and West Ada school districts. This is a great way for kids to have a free lunch or breakfast while the kids can play at the school or playground the meal is hosted at. Find more info here.
Alive After 5
Alive After 5 is Boise’s longest running, all-ages, FREE outdoor summer concert series produced annually by Downtown Boise Foundation. It fills the Grove Plaza on Wednesdays in June & July from 5-8pm, with a mix of nationally and internationally touring artists and local talent. Check out the lineup here!
Bogus Basin
Not only does Bogus have great free hiking trails, they also have free Music on the Mountain and Yoga on the Mountain events this summer! Find more info on dates and times for the free options here.
Valley Regional Transit
Whether your teen needs somewhere to be this summer, or you need to take public transportation with your little, kids ride free this summer! Youth Ride Free is from May 1 through August 31. Youth 18 and under can ride all VRT buses, Intercounty routes, and On-Demand services for free. You can get a physical card at any Boise Public Library, or download the digital pass via the Umo Mobility App. Find more info here!
One-Time Events
Boise Dandelion Festival
Join City of Good, Boise Parks and Recreation and a variety of partner organizations for the fourth annual Boise Dandelion Festival! This community-driven event celebrates biodiversity and the ecological, cultural and creative diversity that makes Boise unique — embodied by the regenerative spirit of the dandelion. From dandelion-themed food and beverages to live music, hands-on activities for kids and more, there’s something for everyone! It’s June 20 from 2-7pm.
Picture credit goes to WAFWA/RBFF
Free Fishing Day
Idaho Fish and Game puts on a free fishing day each summer! Idaho’s Free Fishing Day is a day to celebrate fishing in Idaho and no fishing license is required. Idaho Fish and Game is hosting Free Fishing Day events at local waters throughout the state. ICCU and Scheels will be giving a limited number of fishing poles to kids 14 and under while supplies last. Find info here!
Hillview United Methodist Church 3rd Annual Community Block Party
Ready for some summer fun?! Join us for our 3rd Annual block party on June 13 from 4pm-7pm! Free activities include: 60ft obstacle course, water games, face painting, chalk art, lawn games and more… Food trucks will be on-site with options available for purchase when you get hungry. Best of all… you’ll get to meet your neighbors and friends! Free to attend. Find event info here.
Phew! That’s a lot of stuff to make this summer one you and your kids won’t forget! I hope you enjoy all these free summer activities in Boise with kids. Do you know of a free event we didn’t add? Let me know so we can put it on the list! Have the best summer ever!