By Denise Schoonhoven
Boise Idaho Kids Activities
Families with kids will find lots to do in Boise, the capital city of Idaho. Healthy exercise is a side product of fun at a very large gym facility with climbing rocks and swimming. Play with science in the discovery center, and then immerse yourself in nature at ecological learning centers. Spend a day at the zoo where you can see wild and native American animals. Then lounge by the lake for tasty refreshments and rest.
Wings Center
Climb on boulders and up a rock wall. Take a swimming class, learn gymnastics and sign up for Cheerleading University. The Wing Center is all about getting kids involved in healthy exercise and socialization in a safe environment Children up to age 12 can jump and play freely in the Planet Kid gym, scooting down slides, climbing rope nets and swinging on the monkey bars. Plan a group sleep over party on premises where either elementary or teenage kids get to explore boxing, gym sports and team building activities. Walk-ins are welcome to the gym although registration is required for specific classes. Refreshments are available at the concession stand.
Wings Center
1875 Century Way
Boise, Idaho 83709
(208) 376-3641
http://www.wingscenter.com
Discovery Center of Idaho
Create your very own tornado. Learn about science with interactive exhibits that let you work with a robot arm, float a beach ball high into the air and play with a giant shadow box. Inspirational teachers offer special workshops throughout the year on topics from astronomy to zoology. Little kids, ages 3 to 5, may join Young Discovers programs with Mom and Dad. Stop by the Science Store in the lobby for science books and experiments to take home. The Center is open daily in the summer, but closed on Mondays from September through May and on several major holidays.
Discovery Center of Idaho
131 W. Myrtle St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 343-9895
http://www.scidaho.org
Foothills Learning Center
Learn all about the land in the foothills surrounding Boise. The city operates this environmental educational center and offers classes for kids, mostly up to sixth grade. Learn about bird calls, wild animals of the area and how plant seeds spread and grow. Practice backyard ecology skills with workshops in composting, recycling and papermaking. Check program schedules in the "Boise Environmental Education" catalog at city offices and library branches throughout town.
Foothills Learning Center
3188 Sunset Peak Road
Boise, Idaho 83701
(208) 514-3755
http://www.cityofboise.org/Bee/Foothills
MK Nature Center
Take a stream-side walk in downtown Boise's Greenbelt area to learn about the natural wildlife and cycles of waterways and lakes. Peer into the underwater viewing windows along the way for a peek into the undisturbed life of fish, water plants and natural stone. Start your adventure at the MK Nature Center for a guide to the area's flora and fauna. The Visitor Center is open every day except Monday, while the stream walk is available during daylight hours every day of the year.
MK Nature Center
600 South Walnut St.
Boise, Idaho 82712
(208) 334-2225
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/education/mknc
Zoo Boise
Laugh at the antics of otters in the Small American Animals display, see rare snow leopards and spot the prairie dogs at home just outside the entrance of Small Animal Kingdom. Cross the lake that spreads through the center of the park to explore the African Plains Exhibit where giraffes, elephants, monkeys and warty pigs live. Take a break at the Critter Cafe for refreshments served on biocompostable plates. The zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Zoo Boise
355 Julia Davis Drive
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 384-4260
http://www.zooboise.org
Resources
About the Author:
A seasoned business traveler, Denise Schoonhoven specializes in food, travel, landscaping, design and personal development topics. She has lived and worked in London, San Francisco, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the Pacific Northwest. Schoonhoven hails from the corporate writing world where she authored marketing material, catalogs, presentations and training documents.
Photo Credits:
Brian Stevens at sxc.hu
