Discover activities for the whole family
The Wood River Trail system connects Ketchum and Sun Valley on a paved, car-free path through mountain meadows and aspen groves. Deer, elk, and bluebirds are regular sightings. Bike rentals are available at several outfitters in Ketchum, and the terrain is gentle enough for young riders.
Pocatello's Portneuf Greenway follows the Portneuf River through town on a paved multi-use path lined with cottonwoods and wildlife habitat. The trail connects parks, a nature center, and the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University. Beavers are occasionally spotted at dusk near the pond areas.
Perched above the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Lewiston, Hells Gate State Park marks the head of navigation for the deepest gorge in North America. Easy riverbank trails, a marina, a swimming beach, and interpretive displays about Lewis and Clark make this a well-rounded family outing.
Boise's community makerspace runs Saturday morning youth workshops where kids aged 7-15 design and build with 3D printers, vinyl cutters, hand tools, and electronics kits. Every session has a theme—bridges, wearables, robotics—and every kid takes home a finished project.
Idaho Falls' beloved zoo anchors a full city park with an amusement ride section, splash pad, and picnic grounds. The zoo houses river otters, snow leopards, a clouded leopard, and a large aviary. Keeper chats throughout the day help kids learn directly from the animal care team.
This community clay studio in downtown Coeur d'Alene offers family wheel-throwing and hand-building sessions on Saturday mornings. Each family leaves with a one-of-a-kind piece that is fired and available for pickup the following week. Glazing is included and smocks are provided.
Meridian's Roaring Springs is Idaho's largest water park, featuring over 30 water slides, a million-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a dedicated toddler zone. The covered slide tower adds thrills even for non-swimmers. Season passes offer excellent value for local families.
City of Rocks National Reserve in southern Idaho is a fantasy landscape of ancient granite spires and boulders rising from a sagebrush valley. Kids can scramble on low boulders, explore pioneer campsites where wagon ruts are still visible, and earn a Junior Ranger badge. World-class technical climbing draws adults.
The drive from Ketchum through Galena Summit into Stanley is arguably Idaho's most stunning road trip. Pull over at Galena Overlook for jaw-dropping views of the Sawtooth Range. Short nature trails at Redfish Lake lead through wildflower meadows and to a turquoise glacial lake backed by jagged granite peaks.
Hagerman Fossil Beds is one of the world's richest late Pliocene fossil sites, famous for yielding the first complete skeleton of the extinct Hagerman Horse. The visitor center displays casts of remarkable finds. Junior Ranger booklets guide kids through the canyon overlook trail.
Straddling the Idaho-Utah border, turquoise Bear Lake is nicknamed the Caribbean of the Rockies for its impossibly blue water—the color comes from suspended calcium carbonate particles. East Beach offers gentle entry and shallow water ideal for young swimmers. The endemic Bonneville cisco fish is a local curiosity.
The Snake River Canyon south of Boise hosts the densest concentration of nesting raptors in North America. Over 800 pairs of falcons, eagles, hawks, and owls nest on the canyon walls each spring. Easy rim trails offer dramatic views and excellent raptor spotting from April through June.
Bruneau Dunes State Park protects the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America—470 feet—rising improbably from the desert floor. The park hosts some of the darkest skies in Idaho and operates an observatory open on weekend evenings. Sandboarding equipment is available to rent.
The Pacific Northwest's largest theme park sits just north of Coeur d'Alene and features over 70 rides and attractions including roller coasters, a 6-acre water park, and live shows. The wooden roller coaster Tremor and the Velocity Vault are crowd favorites. A full day is easily spent here.
The Peregrine Fund's facility south of Boise is dedicated to conserving birds of prey worldwide. Families meet live California condors, aplomado falcons, and a great horned owl. Interpretive exhibits explain raptor biology and conservation success stories. The dramatic high-desert setting adds to the experience.
A forested 2.2-mile trail circles a rocky peninsula jutting into Lake Coeur d'Alene, offering swimming coves, cliff-jumping spots for brave teens, and sweeping lake views. The trail is largely shaded and appropriate for most ages. Marmots and osprey are commonly spotted.
Idaho Falls' premier history museum brings the state's story to life through rotating exhibits on Lewis and Clark, Idaho's Native peoples, dinosaurs, and the atomic age. The museum anchors a riverfront cultural district with a scenic falls overlook nearby.
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Pacific Northwest, Lake Coeur d'Alene offers pristine beaches, kayak rentals, and a scenic boardwalk along the waterfront. City Beach has a roped swim area, playground, and restrooms. Sunset cruises from the resort dock are unforgettable.
The town of Lava Hot Springs sits atop natural geothermal pools ranging from 102 to 112 degrees—perfect for soaking year-round. The same complex operates an Olympic-sized swimming pool and waterslides in summer. It's an easy day trip from Pocatello or Idaho Falls.
Tucked against the Boise foothills on the former site of the Idaho State Penitentiary, the Botanical Garden features 15 themed gardens on five acres. The children's adventure garden has a treehouse, a musical garden, and a digging station. Winter holiday lights are a local tradition.
Nestled inside Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise, Zoo Boise is home to over 100 species including snow leopards, red pandas, and African lions. The zoo's size makes it perfect for younger children without overwhelming them. A splash pad operates in summer adjacent to the grounds.
The Boise River Greenbelt stretches 25 miles through the heart of the city along the Boise River. The paved, car-free path passes parks, ponds, and wildlife habitat teeming with ducks and herons. Rent bikes downtown and ride as far as legs allow before turning around.
Boise's hands-on science museum features over 200 interactive exhibits spanning physics, engineering, and natural science. The outdoor water plaza is a summer staple, and the resident beehive lets kids watch a live colony through glass. Special programs run every weekend.
Craters of the Moon National Monument preserves an alien landscape of lava flows, cinder cones, and lava tube caves formed by volcanic eruptions over the last 15,000 years. Kids can walk through tunnels, peer into craters, and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Flashlights are essential for the caves.
Known as the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls on the Snake River plunges 212 feet—taller than Niagara itself. Spring runoff makes it truly spectacular. The park features overlook platforms, a picnic area, and a small swimming beach below the falls. Kids love getting misted by the spray.