If you're not lucky enough to be going on some incredible SpRiNg BrEaK vAcAy (me either), might I suggest a few fun outings for you and your kids to enjoy Spring Break in the Treasure Valley? I mean, I might be biased but I do think Boise is one of the best places for the whole family to have a really good time. We have plenty of fun things to experience in our own backyard - no need to "escape" to the beach!
Here are my top 5 suggestions for family friendly things to do in
Boise, Idaho over Spring Break 2022:
1) Idaho State Museum
Website: www.history.idaho.gov/museum/
Address: 610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM and Sunday 12:00-5:00PM
Rates: Adults - $10, Youth - $5, Kids 5 and under - free. Membership information here
I know I've posted about this before but I will never stop recommending the Idaho State Museum to families in the Boise area. It's not an obvious spot for taking kids of all ages but it's actually ideal. One of the best areas is the basement which is almost entirely dedicated to children and you're ALL guaranteed to have a good time - everyone including toddlers to teens! Promise. There's so much to see and fun things to do. You and your fam will learn all about the history of our great state and it'll feel like a real "first-hand" experience of some of the coolest, most interesting spots across Idaho. Pro Tip! This is an especially great place to take your out of state visitors! My parents are coming to visit and taking them here is at the top of my list!
2) Zoo Boise
Website: www.zooboise.org
Address: 355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702
Hours: Open Daily 10AM until 5PM, with last admission at 4PM.
Rates: General (12 – 61) – $11, Seniors (62+) – $8, Kids (3 – 11) – $8, Small Children (2 & under) – Free. Membership information here.
Just around the corner from the Idaho State Museum is Boise's zoo! It is located in Julia Davis Park and is owned by the City of Boise and managed by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department. Exhibits include over 300 animals from 100 various species in the Zoo's African Plains, Animals of Asia, Animals of the Pampas, Gorongosa National Park, Small Animal Kingdown/Rainforest, South American Loop, What's in a Name and Zoo Farm exhibits. Pro tip! If you hit up the zoo on Thursdays there is a discounted price available for admission! Make sure to say hi to the brand new, itty bitty baby cotton-top tamarin in the Small Animal Kingdom!
3) Discovery Center of Idaho's Exquisite Creatures Exhibit
DC Website: https://www.dcidaho.org/
DC Address: 131 W. Myrtle Street, Boise, Idaho 83702
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 4:30 PM, Sunday: 12 PM – 4:30 PM (Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.)
Rates: Adult – $18, Senior 65 and over – $17, Youth ages 2-17 – $12, Child under 2 – FREE. Membership information available here.
While you're in the downtown Boise neighborhood of the Idaho State Museum and Zoo, you gotta hit up the Discovery Center of Idaho. This might be your last chance to see the Exquisite Creatures Exhibit because it's leaving the science center April 3rd! You will MARVEL at the incredible works of art created by artist, naturalist and New York Times bestselling author Christopher Marley. You'll never view nature's creatures the same again. It truly is one of the best things I've seen at a museum - ever! Pro-tip! The Tinker the T-Rex exhibit is included in your general admission ticket and will get you super jazzed about the upcoming traveling exhibit called SUE: The T Rex Experience that will be taking over the Discovery Center in April. It's gonna be dino-mite!
4) Urban Air Adventure Park
Website: www.urbanair.com/idaho-meridian/
Location: 3876 E Lanark St, Meridian, ID 83642
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:00 - 8:00 PM, Friday - 4:00 - 9:00 PM, Saturday - 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sunday - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Rates: Click here for ticket information.
While there are LOTS of great trampoline parks in the Treasure Valley, Urban Air Adventure Park is WAY more than just a building full of trampolines. You and your kids will EASILY spend hours and hours in here and not get bored. Between all of the different kinds of trampolines, climbing walls, games, obstacle type courses and "high flying" adventures, your kids will leave exhausted in the best way. Pro-tip! There's a great little cafe inside so when the kids get hangry (or you need a little refreshment for yourself!), they've got you covered. You're gonna have a great time!
5) Honestly? Just GET OUTSIDE and explore the Treasure Valley!
Not only is it FREEEEEE but outdoor activities are so good for the body, mind and soul, right? An easy place to start is by exploring some of the 53 City of Boise parks with playgrounds! I CHALLENGE YOU to hit up at least five different City of Boise parks and give us the full report using the Boise Parks Report Card! Another great, FREE (but donations are welcome!) option is the MK Nature Center. The Center itself is open Tuesday-Friday from 10am-3pm but the grounds are open from dawn until dusk. Pro-tip! Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it while playing at Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park - just steps away from the Nature Center and right off the Boise River Greenbelt. Watch out for all the goose poop!
Real talk... How am I supposed to pick my top 5 family friendly Boise favorites when the list just goes on and on and onnnnnn?!?! Boise has SO much to see and do that it is the perfect place for a family vacation... or staycation.
If you check my top 5 off of your Spring Break bucket list and still want more ideas, try the adorable and extremely helpful coloring book, Color Boise! Not only is it super fun for your kiddos to color but it's truly a great guide to Boise and a perfect way to generate ideas for getting out and about around the Treasure Valley. It's a win-win!
And no family vacation/staycation would be complete without some delicious treats thrown in, right? So be sure to treat yo-self (and the kids) to something at Blue Cow Frozen Yogurt. Located not too far from the MK Nature Center at 2333 S Apple St, Boise, ID 83706, Blue Cow is a sweet treat wonderland for kids. The various fro-yo and sorbet flavors are self serve and you get to choose from an incredible assortment of toppings. Pro-tip! Be sure to get your own container since your kiddo(s) will no doubt come up with an interesting concoction of flavors and toppings... Plan to stay awhile to play some of the family-friendly board games that they have available!
Don't forget to enter our Ultimate Spring Break Giveaway over on Instagram before it ends on Saturday, March 19, 2022 and a huge thanks to the Idaho State Museum, Zoo Boise, Urban Air Adventure Park, Color Boise, and Blue Cow Frozen Yogurt for so generously donating the items for the giveaway and being such "gems" in the Treasure Valley area. We appreciate all you offer our Boise area kids and families!
Have a great Spring Break enjoying and exploring the City of Trees with kids!