Top Things to Do with Kids in the Winter in Boise

Photo Cerdit: Unsplash

Winter break often leaves kids feeling a little stir-crazy as weather prohibits a lot of outdoor activities. To combat this cabin fever and escape the house this winter, here are our favorite activities for the whole family to get out that pent up energy!  

Boise:

• The Discovery Center: The Discovery Center is the perfect place to get your kids engaged and excited about learning! It is full of hands-on science activities that help kids understand complex concepts while having fun. Exhibits are constantly changing and always built to nurture curiosity in children.

• Fly High Trampoline Park: With wall trampolines, foam pits, basketball, air bags, dodgeball, and other fun activities,  Fly High Trampoline Park is the perfect place to tire out the kiddos. Check out the website for tickets and daily deals!

• Winter Garden Aglow at Idaho Botanical Garden: The Idaho Botanical Garden has been transformed into a Gingerbread Wonderland this year, with every corner adorned with delightful and whimsical displays. The Winter Garden is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with tickets ranging from $14 for members and children and $18 for nonmembers. Kids under 4 years of age get in free!

• Ice Skating at the Grove: Glide on Grove is a new skating rink in downtown Boise that offers ice skating completely for free (including skates, helmets, and skate aids). The rink surrounds the City of Boise’s holiday tree and is open now!

• Tubing at Bogus Basin: Bogus Basin features a exhilarating tubing hill for those who don’t want to strap on skis. The tubing hill features an 800-foot run with a conveyor belt to take you back to the top. Buy tickets here.

Eagle:

• Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park: Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park opens a tubing and ski or snowboard hill every year starting at the end of November and staying open until March. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance on weekdays and an hour in advance on weekends or holidays. This hill offers a fun and safe outdoor experience for everyone and you can book a reservation here.

• Drive through Christmas Light Displays: In Eagle, Boise, and other surrounding cities you can drive through Christmas light shows this holiday season. Check out this website for information and maps on where to go near you!

• Ice Skating in the Village: The Village in Meridian has an ice rink this year, open now through January 15th. Reservations are required and the cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Book tickets here. 

Meridian:

• The Children’s Museum: The Children’s Museum provides a dynamic, hands-on learning experience for children of all ages. Exhibits are ever changing and tickets are $10 per person 2 years and older. Learn more and buy tickets here.

• JumpTime: Another trampoline park to get the wiggles out is JumpTime! This trampoline park features a ninja warrior course, arcade, lazer maze, extreme volleyball, and even a synthetic ice skating rink! Find tickets here. 

• Idaho Reptile Zoo: The Idaho Reptile Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to education through interaction. With more than 300 animals, this zoo is sure to keep kids entertained and excited. You can schedule a party at the zoo facility, or attend one of the many outreach events help by the zoo! Learn more here.

Nampa:

• Warhawk Museum: The Warhawk Museum contains aircraft from different wars, including World War 1 and 2, the Iraq War, and the Korean War among others. This activity is perfect for kids with plenty of vintage planes to ooo and ahh over, and for adults to learn more about our local and national history.