FreeBoise · The City of Trees

Free things to do with kids in Boise, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Boise this week: we found 24 free outings, including Harvest Festival (Library! at Cole & Ustick) and Free Pumpkin Patch at Jordan's Garden Center, plus 22 library programs. Six free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And five places never charge admission, like Downtown Library and Julia Davis Park.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

24free outings this weekincl. 22 library programs6free days and events coming upincl. 2 museum or zoo free days5places that are always freeDowntown Library, Julia Davis Park2free storytime calendarsBoise Public Library, Nampa Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Boise this week

Every free outing on this week’s Boise list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon Oct 199–10am

Tales and Trails at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve

Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve · 5301 N. Maple Grove Rd., Boise, ID 83704

A library story and a short, stroller-friendly nature walk. Register online for the waiver.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Mon Oct 1910:30–11am

Music and Movement (Library! at Collister)

Library! at Collister · 4724 W. State St., Boise, ID 83703

Clap, stomp and dance to music together, for ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Mon Oct 1910:30–11:30am

Baby Stories and Play (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

A weekly storytime for babies up to 24 months, then playtime.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Mon Oct 192–3pm

Afternoon Baby Stories and Play (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

The afternoon session of the weekly storytime for babies up to 24 months, then playtime.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Mon–Sun Oct 19–25Mon–Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 10am–7pm

Free Pumpkin Patch at Jordan's Garden Center

Jordan's Garden Center · 2591 S Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709

A garden center pumpkin patch with no entry fee. The hay maze, petting zoo, corn pit, toys and photo spots are all free, so it's an easy hour with a toddler.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–8
Tue Oct 2010:30–11am

Music and Movement (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

Moving and grooving to music in the Sagebrush Room every Tuesday.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11am

Music and Movement at Ivywild Park

Ivywild Park · 416 W. Ivywild St., Boise, ID 83706

Library! at Bown Crossing takes music and movement outside to Ivywild Park. Dress for the weather and bring a blanket.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:30am

Family Storytime (Library! at Hillcrest)

Library! at Hillcrest · 5246 W. Overland Rd., Boise, ID 83705

Stories and songs for kids 5 and under and their caregivers in the Canyon Room.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 204–5pm

Read to a Therapy Dog (Library! at Bown Crossing)

Library! at Bown Crossing · 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

Kids practice reading aloud to a certified therapy dog for 5 to 10 minutes.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Wed Oct 2110:30–11am

Family Storytime (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

A Wednesday family storytime in the Sagebrush Room.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 2110:30–11am

Toddler Storytime (Library! at Bown Crossing)

Library! at Bown Crossing · 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

A toddler storytime that moves outside when the weather allows.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Wed Oct 2110:30–11:30am

Baby Stories and Play (Library! at Collister)

Library! at Collister · 4724 W. State St., Boise, ID 83703

Stories and songs for babies and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Wed Oct 216:30–7pm

Pajama Storytime (Downtown Library)

Downtown Library · 715 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise, ID 83702

Wear jammies and bring a stuffie to the Downtown Library’s third floor for evening stories.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Baby Stories and Play (Library! at Bown Crossing)

Library! at Bown Crossing · 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

Rhymes, songs, board books and movement, then open play and new friends.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Family Storytime (Library! at Collister)

Library! at Collister · 4724 W. State St., Boise, ID 83703

A Thursday family storytime in the Sycamore Room.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Preschool Storytime (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

A kindergarten-readiness storytime and craft for preschoolers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Toddler Storytime (Library! at Hillcrest)

Library! at Hillcrest · 5246 W. Overland Rd., Boise, ID 83705

An hour of songs, books and play for toddlers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Thu Oct 226:30–7:30pm

Craft a Spell Book (Library! at Bown Crossing)

Library! at Bown Crossing · 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

Decorate a homemade spell book to go with a witch costume or Halloween décor. All ages.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–99
Fri Oct 2310:30–11am

Storytime in the Grass (Library! at Bown Crossing)

Library! at Bown Crossing · 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

An outdoor storytime on the lawn between the library and Riverside Elementary. Bring a blanket; ages 0 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 2310:30–11:30am

Baby Stories and Play (Library! at Hillcrest)

Library! at Hillcrest · 5246 W. Overland Rd., Boise, ID 83705

Rhymes, songs, stories and open play for babies up to 24 months.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Fri Oct 2310:30–11:30am

Play and Learn (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

Open-ended playtime for kids 5 and under and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 2310:30–11am

Music and Movement at Ann Morrison Park

Ann Morrison Park – Old Timer’s Shelter · 1130 W. Royal Blvd., Boise, ID 83706

Downtown Library’s music class meets by the Old Timer’s Shelter in Ann Morrison Park (look for the deer statue). Ages 0 to 6; bring a blanket.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Sat Oct 2410:30–11:30am

Read to a Therapy Dog (Library! at Collister)

Library! at Collister · 4724 W. State St., Boise, ID 83703

Kids practice reading aloud to a certified therapy dog for 5 to 10 minutes.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Sat Oct 2411am–1pm

Harvest Festival (Library! at Cole & Ustick)

Library! at Cole & Ustick · 7557 W. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83704

A fall celebration with crafts, outdoor games, drinks and snacks for all ages.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Showing all 24 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Boise

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

Boise Art Museum · Boise

Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Nov20
to
Nov22

Winter Wonderland (Indian Creek Plaza lights)

Indian Creek Plaza · 120 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell, ID

Festival 6–9 p.m. One million lights, ice skating.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree (skating extra; skate tickets on sale Oct 2026)
Nov20
to
Nov22

Santa & Mrs. Claus at Winter Wonderland Festival

Indian Creek Plaza · 120 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell, ID

6–9 p.m. (winter market Sat–Sun from 3 p.m.). Santa listed among festival features.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree festival
Nov27

Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting

The Grove Plaza · The Grove Plaza, Downtown Boise

5 p.m. 40-plus-foot tree, 5,000+ lights, live music. Boise Holiday Parade next morning, Sat Nov 28 at 10 a.m., free (boiseholidayparade.org).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Nov28

Boise Holiday Parade

Downtown Boise (starts at Jefferson and 10th)

10 a.m., about 1.5 hours. The 76th parade is free to watch. Get there early, dress warm and bring something to sit on.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Not listedThe venue page doesn’t say who gets in free.
Any open day

Discovery for All at the Discovery Center of Idaho

Discovery Center of Idaho · Downtown, 131 W. Myrtle St.

In person only, so bring the card.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders only$5 per person for up to four people with a SNAP EBT card

Any day

Places that are always free in Boise

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Downtown Library

715 S. Capitol Blvd.Boise Public Library’s downtown branch, with Pajama Storytime and other free kids’ programs. Construction is underway around the building.Official site ↗Report a problem

Julia Davis Park

Downtown, along the riverThe city’s oldest park, from 1907, with a rose garden, a Solar System Trail and the bandshell.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Boise Public Library

Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Downtown Library and branches around the city.

Weekly; days and times vary by branch

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Nampa Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Storytime (Wednesdays 11:15am) and Time for Twos Storytime (Wednesdays 10:15am).

Weekly at the Children's Area Branch; Wednesdays and Fridays

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Boise

Indoor play in BoiseIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in BoiseParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayThis week in BoiseDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Boise: the FAQ

This week we found 24 free outings for ages 0–6, including Harvest Festival (Library! at Cole & Ustick), Free Pumpkin Patch at Jordan's Garden Center, Tales and Trails at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve and Music and Movement (Library! at Collister). See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Boise Holiday Parade: Sat Nov 28. Discovery for All at the Discovery Center of Idaho: Any open day ($5 per person for up to four people with a SNAP EBT card). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Winter Wonderland (Indian Creek Plaza lights), Santa & Mrs. Claus at Winter Wonderland Festival and Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Downtown Library, Julia Davis Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, MK Nature Center and The WaterShed don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Downtown Library. See all of them on indoor play places in Boise.

Yes. Boise Public Library and Nampa Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

Littles Weekly

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