Family events in Boise, ID

Families and budding artists can enjoy structured wheel time in a small group setting designed for ages 8 and up. An experienced instructor provides step by step guidance for beginners, while more practiced students use the session to refine skills and explore new techniques. Participants typically make one to three pieces on the wheel. Finished work is dried and fired, and most items are ready for pickup within two to three weeks. Parents are welcome to participate alongside their children, or children may be dropped off. Ceramics foster perseverance, patience, problem solving, and creativity. Pre-registration is required, and registration is $40.

Enjoy a fun and relaxing float on the Boise River starting at Barber Park and finishing at Ann Morrison Park. A shuttle returns participants to Barber Park after the float. The cost is $20 per person and includes the float and return shuttle. Everyone is welcome, and advance online registration is requested.

This drop off clay studio experience invites children ages 5 to 12 to explore ceramics in ongoing, individual sessions suited to beginners through advanced makers. Guided by ceramic artists and experienced teachers Mindy Curran and Ben Alexander, participants learn to shape both functional and decorative work while developing perseverance, patience, problem solving and creativity. Instruction rotates among handbuilding, wheel throwing and glazing, and most students leave each class with one or two pieces they created themselves. Booking multiple sessions allows families to follow the full process from forming to finishing. Advance registration is required and the fee is $40. At times the class takes place alongside an ongoing figure painting session, offering a respectful glimpse into life drawing. Models wear kid appropriate attire, a reasonable level of studio noise is acceptable and consideration for other classes is expected. Enrollment includes reclaimed clay, access to tools, wheels and glazes, instructor guidance and kiln firing. Wear clothes that can get messy or bring an apron. Freshly made pieces cannot be trimmed, glazed or underglazed the same day, so a return visit is needed to complete those steps. Long nails are discouraged.

Explore 150 years of Boise history and architecture on a 90 minute guided walking tour that highlights the built environment that makes downtown unique. Designed for both visitors and Idaho residents, this experience shares how the city’s vibrant core took shape and the people who influenced its growth. The tour begins and ends at the Basque Museum & Cultural Center. Tickets are $10 for Preservation Idaho members, $15 for non-members, and $8 for children 13 and under, with tax and credit card processing fees applied. Held rain or shine, participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring essentials like sunscreen, an umbrella, and water.

Relax on the patio for free live performances by local Treasure Valley musicians. The music fills the ICCU Plaza outside Bogus Creek Lodge, creating an easygoing setting for an afternoon outdoors. Grab lunch and a beverage from Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse or Bogus Creek Grill and settle in for the show. This ongoing series takes place on Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, and all ages are welcome.

Celebrate a grand opening while supporting Special Olympics Idaho at a free, family friendly gathering featuring live music from Good Time Charlie and dance performances by StarBelly School of Dance and the Boise Traditional Chinese Dance Group. Enjoy local bites from Papa Bear’s BBQ, MELT, Kona Ice, Sugar Rush, and Boise River Catering, and unwind with wellness offerings from Selah Massage Studio. Purchases and donations during the event help support Special Olympics Idaho and its athletes.

The NAMPA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2026 is taking place at Lakeview Park in Nampa. Plan for a day of arts and festival activities in the park.

Celebrate summer at the August edition of The Boise Flea at Boise State’s East Stadium Lot. Browse a large lineup of vendors and enjoy a lively marketplace atmosphere. Admission is always free, and parking is available in the Stadium Lot for $5 per car.

There is no cost to participate. Enjoy relaxed Pokemon card battles with fellow trainers, open to all ages and all skill levels. Collectors are welcome too, as participants often look to trade and you may find someone willing to swap for a Pokemon card you have been seeking.

Despicable Me 3 screens as part of the $3 Summer Movie Series. Doors open 30 minutes before the film starts.

Experience Willow, a fantasy adventure set in a realm where magic and myth mingle with the everyday. The story follows a young hero named Willow whose journey grows far beyond his fears and highest hopes. Rated PG, this imaginative quest offers sweeping adventure and a vivid world to get lost in. The feature runs 2 hours and 6 minutes.

The Discovery Center of Idaho is hosting Sensory-Friendly Learning Hours, a quieter option for visitors who may feel overstimulated during regular museum visits. The program includes a specially curated reduced-stimulation space, extra signage, and a designated safe zone, along with sensory kits and sensory guide materials available at the front desk. This session features limited ticket sales and is open to anyone looking for a less stimulating visit experience.

Experience Zoo Boise after hours with open access to all public areas and a slate of special activities. Explore Butterflies in Bloom, visit the Zoo Farm with feedings available for $3, get creative with face painting for $5, and take a Conservation Cruise for $5 per rider. The carousel operates throughout the evening. Food, beverages, and snacks are available for purchase. Outside food and drinks are not permitted during this afterhours event, though reusable water bottles are welcome. Standard admission applies, and members receive free entry. Tickets are sold at the gate only. This event features special entertainment by Starbelly School of Dance.

Enjoy a relaxed night of tabletop fun in a reserved back play area with access to a free-to-play library of more than 150 games. Families can settle in with classics like Monopoly, friend groups can pick up card games such as Fluxx or Cards Against Humanity, try social deduction with Werewolf, or tackle deeper Euro titles that focus on economy building, worker placement, and city building. If you discover a favorite while playing from the library, a 10% discount is offered on purchasing your own copy. A few creators will also be present with prototype RPGs and board games, welcoming testers who want to chat and try something brand new.

At Memorial Stadium, this chapter night coincides with Boise Hawks Military Appreciation Night, creating a baseball outing centered on recognizing veterans in the community. Members are encouraged to bring handmade thank you cards to share with veterans during the game. DAR will host an information table at the ballpark, and volunteers can assist at the table before the game begins.

Thursday Thunder at Boise Spectrum welcomes a debut on this stage, delivering a high-energy vibe and a celebratory atmosphere.

ABU Games hosts a Gym Leader Challenge tournament for the Pokémon TCG. The event uses best of one matches and will run three or four rounds depending on player turnout. Entry is $7.50. Prizes are awarded for each match win, and every participant will receive packs based on their final record with at least one pack guaranteed, plus a six card Prize Pack while supplies last. A $3 Upgrade Pack is available upon entry to the tournament. There is also an option to choose from a selection of older booster packs from the prize pool while supplies last. The Gym Leader Challenge format is a fan-created variant where each deck focuses on a single Pokémon type and follows singleton rules except for basic Energy. The card pool includes sets from Black and White forward, and cards with Rule Boxes are not legal, which excludes Pokémon V, GX, EX, BREAK, Prism Star, and Ace Spec.