We recently spent an afternoon at the Children’s Museum of Idaho. The museum, located in the city of Meridian, is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Boise.
This is the perfect place for kids ages 2 – 8 years to explore, use their imagination, and play. There are tons of hands-on exhibits — indoor and outdoor — that cover a broad range of themes, such as science, make-believe, animals, and much more! Each exhibit allows kids to learn and engage through play. Everything is designed and built for kids, but I promise even adults will want to get in on the fun.
As soon as we passed through the lobby, Carter was ready to start playing! This meant we trailed behind him to an exhibit and played whatever part he instructed us to. During this last visit, I was a restaurant patron, owner of a sick pet, grocery shopper, and passenger on an airplane. It’s adorable to see Carter so engaged, and I’m happy to say that my sick kitten is doing much better after a visit with Dr. Carter.
The museum is much larger than it initially appears. Once you step inside you see the large space and you’re immediately transported to a place where kids just get to be kids. There’s plenty of parking, which is nice when traveling with little ones.
We’ve been to the museum several times, and Carter gravitates to several areas. His favorites are the pizza restaurant, pirate ship, veterinarian clinic, outdoor space, and baby chicks, which are only there in the spring.
There are too many exhibits to feature in this article, but they include a Trader Joe’s grocery store, airplane, spaceship, farm area, and doctor’s office, to name a few. Additionally, there are areas to build things with Legos, blocks, and magnets, and a water table outside. It’s the perfect place to spend a couple of hours.
Idaho Pizza Company Restaurant
This section is adorable. There are tables where you can sit while the staff takes your order and prepares your food. Everything is so realistic down to the cash register, pizza oven, and salad bar. The pizzas have many different felt ingredients which make it feel like you are a pizza artist. Carter created a masterpiece pizza for us with triple cheese, lettuce, and ranch dressing – always unique recipes with this chef!
Trader Joe’s Grocery Store
With small grocery carts and scanners that beep, this is one of the busier spots in the museum, and it’s no surprise why. This kid-sized grocery store is full of produce, dry goods, frozen foods, and look-a-likes of what you’d find in a real grocery store. Kids love to take turns working the cash registers and scanning all the barcodes. The selection is like our Trader Joe’s downtown, except I think the staff here could use a little more training.
Outdoor Space at the Museum
When the weather is nice, there are various spaces outside where kids can run around a little more than in the inside sections. There are several little buildings with various activities such as Legos, farm life, large foam blocks, and instruments. Carter’s favorite is the water play area watching the toys float with the current.
Pirates, Pilots, and Performers
There are so many areas where kids get to let their imaginations run wild. There’s a large pirate ship complete with treasures, costumes, and pirate patches. Next to the pirate ship is a spaceship with a launch simulator, and astronaut suits for those wanting to get into the spirit of exploration. Additionally, there’s an airplane with pilot jackets they can use as they jet to far-off destinations.
For those kids who love to perform there’s also a stage where you can change the backdrops, along with plenty of costumes and accessories for their moment in the spotlight.
Animal at the Children’s Museum
There is a cave to explore animals you’d find in dark places. Kids can grab a headlamp and walk into the dark cave to see pretend bats, spiders, and other critters. For those wanting to care for animals, there’s even a veterinarian clinic where they can tend to a variety of animals. Carter’s favorite is the bald eagle. He kept taking it out of his cage for snuggles and a temperature check to ensure that he was healing nicely from his encounter with a mountain lion.
When we visited there were baby chicks, which are so cute! And a resident pet turtle named Larry, which kids always love to view.
There are so many other areas and exhibits to experience and engage with, including the gigantic game of Operation! And, if you’re visiting with a toddler there is a dedicated spot for them as well, with books and space to crawl.
The Children’s Museum of Idaho is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm – 5 pm. Admission is $9 for everyone over the age of 2 years.
For other things to do in Boise with kids, read this post.
