FREE Summer Activities in Boise

I have heard a lot of moms struggling to find activities for their kids to do in the summer. In Boise, there's so many good summer programs available that there is always something to do. Here's some of the FREE summer activities to do around Boise:

• MK Nature Center: The MK Nature Center is one of our family favorites. I think we go a few times a year. My kids love watching the fish tanks, the beauty of nature within the center, the butterfly garden and even looking at the signage. Click here for more information.
• The Boise Watershed: We went to the Boise Watershed as a part of the Boise Public Library's Summerfest program. There wasn't a ton of things for little kids, but the things that they did have could entertain for quite awhile. The Watershed had a very small stream of water where the kids could build dams out of rocks. My kids loved this and it was very hard to pull them away from it. I am sure if I had let them they would build dams out of rocks all afternoon. The Watershed also had a fish tank with baby trout and big pipes that the kids could explore. To find out more about the watershed, click here.
• Boise Public Library Summer Programs, SummerFest and more: We love going to the library. The librarians at our local library see us quite often. I often have holds to pick-up and we love going to the kid programs. My kids also like to play with the toys at the library and pick out books. Each of the libraries seem to have different toys and kid programs available ranging from STEM activities, preschool storytime, baby storytime, crafts, music programs, etc. We've also been enjoying SummerFest, the new library learning program. SummerFest provides lots of ways to get out there, learn and interact with things in the community. I have also heard a lot of moms raving about the Garden City Library which has a puppet show theater for kids to use. The Ada County libraries also offer a lot of cool summer programs and have cool toys for kids to use. To find out more information, click here.
• Boise Parks: There are a lot of great parks in Boise and some of them have splash pads, which are great for warm days. You can also make the summer epic by trying to slide down all the slides in Boise in one day! Check out Some the Wiser's post, here. The Boise Parks and Recreation program also has a Mobile Recreation Program, Free After School Program and Movies Under the Stars.
• Hiking Trails: There are many great hiking trails around in the foothills and mountains to enjoy. It's free to hike and you can enjoy the beauties of nature.
• Idaho Botanical Garden: From 7:30 am to 9:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (May to September), The Idaho Botanical Garden is FREE to stroll around. For more information, click here.
• Picnic in the Park: From June to August 1st, the Idaho Food Bank sponsors Picnic in the Park. Picnic in the Park provides free lunches for kids to help them from going hungry when school is not in session. To learn more, click here.
• Kids Bowl Free: Kids can bowl free all summer long at select bowling centers. To find out more, click here.
• Visit the Boise Capitol: Tour the Boise Capitol and learn more about the Idaho Capitol. Click here to learn more.
• Tasty Tales: Enjoy a FREE storytime at Guru Donuts on Tuesdays at 10 am and 10:30 am. Click here for more information.
• Pottery Barn Weekly Storytime: Pottery Barn does a weekly storytime on Tuesdays at 11 am. If you become a Pottery Barn Kids Book Club Member and go to five events, you will get a special surprise. Click here for more information.
• Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids: Every Saturday Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft for kids to do from 11 am to 3 pm. The craft is for ages 3 and up. To learn more, click here.