The Complete Guide to Entertaining your Kids this Summer in Pocatello, ID

Hi there! As residents and realtors of Pocatello, Idaho, we are always excited to share about how great this city is. With summer just around the corner, I've compiled three lists of things you can do with your kids: in our community, in the surrounding areas, and at home.

Don’t Forget to bookmark this page to refer back to throughout the summer!

First, let's talk about what's available right here in Pocatello. Our city has a thriving outdoor community with plenty of parks, trails, and playgrounds to explore. You can take your family to the Pocatello Zoo, which is always a hit with kids. For some fun in the water, check out the Ross Park Aquatic Complex or the Wellness Complex Beach. And if you're looking for something more educational, the Idaho Museum of Natural History is a great option.

Summer Activities in Pocatello, ID

  1. Revive at Five

  2. ISU Concert on the Quad

  3. Walk on the Portneuf Greenway-We like walking the bridges with the kids around Centennial Park & letting them play after.

  4. Swimming at Ross Park Aquatic Complex

  5. Taco spaghetti at Ross Park Drive Inn after swimming!

  6. Hike at City Creek

  7. Hike to the Pillars at Red Hill

  8. My World Discovery Museum

  9. Stairway to Heaven

  10. Museum of Clean

  11. Splash Pad at Stuart Park

  12. Marshall Public Library Story Times

  13. Kids Events at Portneuf District Library

  14. Deleta Skating & Escape Rooms

  15. Fishing, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Biking, etc at the Portneuf Wellness Complex

  16. Independence Day Parade (Info will be in the events on this Facebook page)

  17. Bannock Independence Celebration (Info will be on this Facebook page)

  18. Chubbuck Days Parade (Info will be here)

  19. Chubbuck Movies in the Park (Info will be here)

  20. Concerts at the Portneuf Health Trust Ampitheater

  21. Outer Limits Fun Zone

  22. Rock Climbing at Ross Park

  23. Zoo Idaho

  24. Fort Hall Replica

  25. Outback Golf Driving Range/Mini Golf

  26. Jump in

  27. Geronimos

  28. Museum of Natural History

  29. Edson Fischer Nature Area-Walk, bike, fish in the fishing pond, your dog can swim in the dog pond, swimming hole/rope swing, kayaking (at your own risk) in the portneuf river along the same trail. It is very full right now!

  30. Sunday brunch on the Jim Dandy patio

  31. Free Lunches from SD25-Locations linked

  32. First Friday Art Walks

  33. Scout Mountain hiking/biking/camping

  34. Reel Theater

  35. Gate City Grays Game

  36. McKee’s Petting Zoo

  37. Level Up

  38. Open Play at Randy’s Xtreme Tumbling

  39. Snake River Doodles Traveling Petting Zoo

  40. Pocatello Downs Horse Racing (Month of May)

  41. Basketball Camps

  42. Century High Youth Camps

  43. Pocatello Thunder Athletic Camps

  44. Highland Rams Athletic Camps

  45. PVSC Soccer Camps

  46. Cheerleading Clinics

  47. ISU Sports Summer Camps and Clinics (All Grades)

  48. Kulak CrossFit Kids Classes

  49. Leavitt Center Summer Classes (Guitar, gymnastics, art, cooking, etc.)

  50. The Palace Theatre Summer Camp

  51. That’s Clever Art Classes

  52. Poky Kidz Art Classes

If you're willing to venture outside of Pocatello, there are even more options for family fun. Just a short drive away, you can visit Lava Hot Springs for a relaxing soak or try out the water slides at the Olympic Swimming Complex. If you aren’t ready to come home yet you can book an overnight stay at our cabin! For some adventure, head to Pebble Creek Ski Area for mountain biking or hiking.

Summer Activities in the Surrounding Areas

  1. American Falls Reservoir-American Falls-Beach, boating, swimming, fishing

  2. Jensen’s Grove-Blackfoot

  3. Pebble Creek Ski Area-hiking, biking, Wildflower Festival-Inkom

  4. Tautphaus Park Zoo-Idaho Falls

  5. East Idaho Aquarium-Idaho Falls

  6. Japanese Friendship Garden-Idaho Falls

  7. Idaho Falls River Walk-Idaho Falls

  8. Family Fun Center-Idaho Falls

  9. Museum of Idaho-Idaho Falls

  10. Float the Lava River-Lava Hot Springs (Older Kids)

  11. Lava Swimming Complex-Lava Hot Springs

  12. Lava Hot Pools-Lava Hot Springs

  13. Lava Zip Line Adventure-Lava Hot Springs

  14. Lava Go Karts-Lava Hot Springs

  15. Book our Cabin in Lava Hot Springs!

  16. Bear Lake-Bordering Idaho/Utah-Swimming, boating, beach, zipline and ropes courses

  17. Lagoon Amusement Park- Farmington, UT

But if you're looking to stay closer to home, there are still plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained. One of my favorite activities is crafts with my kids. We also love to run through the spinklers and draw with chalk on the sidewalk. Another fun option is setting up an outdoor scavenger hunt or backyard obstacle course.

Summer Activities at Home

  1. Sponge Water Bomb Fight (less clean up than balloons and reusable)

  2. “Paint” Outside with Water

  3. Easy Chalk Paint

  4. Shower Curtain Painting Activity

  5. Stained Glass Chalk Art

  6. Squirt Gun Painting

  7. Bubble Snake Blower

  8. Back Yard Scavenger Hunt

  9. Breakfast/Lunch Picnic

  10. Build a Fort

  11. Sprinkler on the Trampoline

  12. Look for Shapes in the Clouds

  13. Camp in the Back Yard

  14. Have them Help in the Garden

  15. Freeze Toys in a Bowl

  16. Paintsicles

  17. Painting Ice Cubes

  18. Obstacle Course

  19. Chalk Obstacle Course

  20. We invested in these two bouncy houses and have never looked back!

  21. If all else fails and mom and dad have had enough, blanket fort and movie!

  22. YouTube “Jump Challenger” or “Mario Jump Challenger”. You’re welcome in advance. 2 “player”.

No matter what you choose to do with your family this summer, remember that Pocatello and the surrounding area has so much to offer. And if you're considering a move to our wonderful city, we're always here to answer any questions you may have about real estate. So don't hesitate to reach out.

Follow us on instagram.

Join our “Things to do in Pocatello/Chubbuck” facebook group!

Brandon and Jess DesFosses

Pocatello, ID Realtors

(208) 241-6205

HomeSmart Premier Realty | Idahome Real Estate