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.  

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6 Events in Boise & Beyond December 1st - 3rd

Photo Credit: Anton Belitskiy via Pexels 6 Events in Boise & Beyond   1. Boise Christmas Show Where: Expo Idaho When: Friday - Sunday Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   2. Downtown Boise Holiday Parade Where: Downtown Boise When: Saturday, December 2 Time: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   3. Vintage Market Days Where: Ford Idaho Sports Center When: Friday, December 1 Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   4. Gingerbread House Party Where: Split Rail Winery When: Sunday, December 3 Time: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   5. Merry Grinchmas Where: Scentsy Commons When: Friday & Saturday Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   6. December Morning Brew School Where: Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters When: Saturday, December 2 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EVENT DETAILS HERE    

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Top Things to Do in the Winter in Boise

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder, meaning the festive season has arrived in Boise. From gliding on ice around a dazzling holiday tree or watching a local production of The Nutcracker, there is no lack of activities this holiday season. For locals seeking a new adventure or visitors eager to experience the city’s holiday traditions, this guide is your key to unlocking the festive magic of Boise!    Sledding Photo credit: outdoortroop.com Local staples include Camel’s Back Park and Simplot’s Hill. For the more adventurous, tubing options are shared below! Grab a hot cocoa from Mocha Moose, Hyde Perk or Java in Hyde Park and make a fun day on big snow days.     Skiing & Tubing at Bogus Basin Photo credit: visitidaho.org There’s nothing more exhilarating than flying down the slopes, whether on skis or in a tube! Bogus Basin offers alpine skiing and snowboarding, with 10 lifts serving 88 runs. Night skiing is offered at a discounted price for a fun evening activity. There is also a tubing hill for those who don’t want to strap on skis or are looking to keep the kids entertained. The tubing hill features an 800-foot run with a conveyor belt to take you back to the top. There is something for everyone at this locally run nonprofit hill, with Nordic skiing also available!   Tubing at Eagle Island State Park Photo credit: temeculablogs.com Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park opens a tubing 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 tubing experience for everyone and you can book a reservation here.   Ice Skating at The Grove and The Village Photo credit: Unsplash Ice skating is the perfect way to spend a day or evening with friends and family this winter. 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 opens on Thanksgiving weekend. The Village in Meridian also 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.    Watch The Nutcracker at Morrison Center Photo credit: morrisoncenter.com Celebrate the joy of the season with a timeless classic of The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Idaho. The performance features children from the Ballet Idaho Academy alongside professional company members, with live music provided by The Boise Philharmonic and Opera Idaho’s children choruses. This performance will take place at the Morrison Center from December 15th through December 24th and tickets can be purchased here.   Shop Local at Winter Markets Photo credit: facebook.com/boisemerrymakers Boise is home to multiple winter markets this festive season. Highlights include the Wintry Market, featuring arts, crafts, and design, and the Merry Makers Market, a pop-up shop full of locally homemade gifts. These markets offer the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and get in some holiday gift shopping! Check out this blog post for more information.   

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