Family events in Meridian, ID

Embark on a yearlong reading journey at Nampa Public Library. Children are encouraged to read at least one book each month and complete a playful prompt, then bring their reading passport to the first-floor information desk each month to receive a small prize. Reading passports can be picked up at the first-floor information desk. The program is designed for ages 0 to 12, including those who will turn 13 in 2026.

Extreme Book Nerd Challenge 2026 invites readers to finish 50 books over 50 weeks. A 2026 reading log is available at Nampa Public Library, and registration is available online.

Garden City’s Surel L. Mitchell Live-Work-Create District comes alive for a free First Friday, inviting art lovers to wander studios, galleries, and neighborhood businesses. Exhibitions, author readings, and performances unfold across multiple venues, offering an easy way to explore the local creative scene. The series runs every other month during the season. Support comes from The Riverside Hotel, Hannah Ball, and SGW Designworks, with Boise Weekly as media sponsor. An interactive map and additional details are available to help plan the stroll.

Meridian Parks and Recreation hosts Sparklight Movie Night with a free, family-friendly screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at Settlers Park, presented with support from ICCU. Enjoy an evening under the stars on a giant inflatable screen, and bring low back lawn chairs for comfortable seating. Arriving ahead of the show provides time to enjoy the park, pick up treats from the concession stand, and take part in pre-movie activities. Youth 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult who remains with them throughout the film. Thanks to support from Four Seasons Spa & Pool, Ada County Highway District, and New Horizon Academy, admission is free. For details, contact Meridian Parks and Recreation at 208-888-3879.

This car show at Warhawk Air Museum features food vendors and raffles. Admission is free for the public. Dogs are welcome when kept on a leash, and pets are not allowed inside the museum unless they are service dogs.

The Nampa Farmers Market brings together many vendors from the community, including local growers and makers. Browse fresh produce, check out handmade goods, and support small businesses while exploring the booths.

A second annual celebration of wellness, music, and community invites all ages to spend a day focused on connection and creativity. The program includes live music, talks on health and wellness, collaborative art and spiritual meditation experiences, a marketplace featuring professional, craft, and artisan makers, and plenty of local food. With engaging activities for both kids and adults, it offers a welcoming setting to explore holistic living, discover local art, and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere.

Read aloud or share a story with a Go Team therapy dog. Readers and storytellers of all ages are welcome, and the activity takes place on the second Saturday of each month.

Explore a small business marketplace at The Village at Meridian, featuring local artisans and entrepreneurs with trendy crafts and distinctive, one-of-a-kind pieces. The Juniper Market appears throughout the year, offering a welcoming place to discover unique gifts and goods while directly supporting local makers.

Enjoy a free open play session for the Pokemon Trading Card Game that welcomes both newcomers and experienced players. Bring your own deck to trade and battle with others, and receive a promo pack just for attending. During weeks when competitive events are scheduled, such as Pre-Releases, League Challenges, or League Cups, this open play will be replaced. Keep an eye on the schedule for those updates.

Music on the Mountain brings a live performance by Monophonics to Bogus Basin Ski Resort, with Degler and Mattravers•Bell also taking the stage. Admission is free, and attendees of all ages are welcome.

At the Ford Idaho Center, this Branded Open event celebrates wild horses and burros as part of Branded Bonanza. The showcase features privately owned BLM and USFS wild horses and burros and is open to any competitor interested in testing their skills in a friendly, community driven setting. Top honors include All-Around Champion buckles, with Reserve Champion and first place awards, plus medals through fifth. Competition divisions include Adult for riders 18 and over and Youth for riders 17 and under, with no cross entry into Walk/Trot or Novice classes for those groups. Walk/Trot is designed for horses or riders who have not competed before or are not ready to lope or canter, while Novice supports horses or riders in their first year of loping or cantering. Additional options include Burro for youth and adults showing burros of any age, In-Hand for mustangs shown without riding, plus Specialty Youth and Specialty Adult. Additional details, class lists, and registration information will be announced soon. Funding for the Forever Branded program is fully secured for 2026, and all events are set to proceed as scheduled.

Enjoy a lively mix of stories, melodies, fingerplay activities, and rhymes. This upbeat program brings language and music together for a fun, well-rounded experience.

A creative arts and crafts class designed for toddlers at Treasure Valley Arts.

A casual hangout geared toward homeschooled teens, offering a relaxed way to meet peers and build friendships. The atmosphere is positive and fun for community teens and it welcomes anyone ages 13 through 18. A new theme and activity are highlighted each month, with details shared in the comments.

A welcoming chess club in a relaxed setting with casual games and chances to learn. Test your skills in friendly play, talk strategy, or get a simple introduction to the basics of the game. Open to all ages and skill levels.

The Bookmobile brings a broad selection of fiction and nonfiction to Carol Loop, welcoming readers of every age. It serves avid book lovers as well as anyone looking for an easy read. If you need a library card, one can be issued during the visit.

The Pioneer Baseball League Travel Team visits the Boise area for an evening game at Memorial Stadium Boise - Complex in Garden City. Watch independent-league players push for roster spots in a matchup marked by a quick tempo, bold baserunning, and plenty of tactical decisions. The small setting, close to the field, makes it easy to follow every detail for a relaxed night at the ballpark.

An engaging storytime for toddlers blends simple STEM exploration with early literacy. Children sing, listen to stories, enjoy fingerplay, and practice rhymes that support learning. For children ages 18 months to 3 years.

A welcoming neighborhood market features a rotating lineup of booths each week, offering a mix of foods, fresh produce, plants, and handmade goods. Vendors who would like to take part for a week can set up a space upon arrival, with no advance sign up needed.

Victory Street Eats is a Food Truck Mini Market where you can stop by for delicious food and drinks while enjoying the garden at Victory Gardens. The event runs in the late afternoon into the evening.

Meridian’s Main Street Mix brings live music to Generations Plaza in downtown Meridian as part of a six-concert Wednesday after-work series. This performance features Charlie & The Changelings. Admission is free. Attendees may bring folding chairs or lawn blankets, and nearby downtown restaurants offer food and drinks. Presented by the Meridian Arts Commission with support from Loose Screw Beer, Truffles Etc, Meridian Development Corporation, All American Insurance, and the Meridian Chamber of Commerce.

Experience an evening of baseball at Memorial Stadium in Boise that pays tribute to veterans in the community. Members are invited to bring handmade thank you cards to share with veterans during the game. DAR will host an information table at the ballpark, and volunteers are welcome to assist there before the game begins.

Open Dungeons & Dragons sessions with the Guild of the Phoenix welcome both first-timers and longtime players to adventure together. Volunteer DMs lead multiple tables so anyone can take a seat and play, and participants of any age are welcome as long as they are ready to dive in. If it is your first visit, plan to arrive before play begins so a DM can help set up a character sheet, since once tables are underway new players cannot be added that week. You will often be grouped with people you have not met before. Game leaders work to keep content family friendly at about a PG-13 level, though experiences can vary between groups. Please be respectful of others and mindful of the immersive nature of the game.

Experience the Happiness Showcase open house at TLE Meridian, an opportunity to learn how The Learning Experience supports early childhood education, child development, and readiness for kindergarten. Explore programs designed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-K learners. Tour the classrooms and learning spaces, meet the teaching staff along with center leadership, and hear how the center’s signature curriculum promotes growth across academics, social and emotional skills, and physical development. Discover how intentional play, learning by doing, and time-tested methods support each child’s growth and success. Team members will be available to answer questions about enrollment, tuition, schedules, and enrichment offerings. Children are welcome, so families can attend together and see a nurturing, happy community that builds confidence, life skills, and a lasting love of learning.