About
The WaterShed Youth Programs includes Story Time, where children hear a story and take part in an activity based on a sustainability or environmental theme. It also includes free quarterly homeschool programs, free drop-in programs when school is out, and free summer WaterShed Wednesdays with activities, crafts, and scientific demonstrations. Family events are offered quarterly, and The WaterShed also has free K-12 lessons and outreach programs.
Programs
- Story Time — children ages 2-5; all ages are welcome · Hear a story and participate in an activity based on a sustainability or environmental theme.
- Homeschool Programs — children ages 5-12; all ages are welcome · FREE quarterly homeschool programs.
- Drop-In Programs — kids · Free programs for kids when school is out; typically held over spring break, Thanksgiving break and occasionally one-day breaks.
- Summer WaterShed Wednesdays — all ages · summer, 10:00 am-Noon · Free all-ages activities, crafts and scientific demonstrations in the outdoor River Campus.
- K-12 Lessons and Outreach Programs — K-12 · November through February · Groups of 15 or more may make a free field trip reservation; outreach lessons are available to schools in Boise, Garden City, Eagle, and Meridian.
- Family events — all ages · quarterly · Themes vary depending on the season.
- The annual Earth Day Celebration — Will be held the third Saturday in April.
- Water Festival — Will take place the second Saturday of June.
At a glance
- Ages: 2–12 years old
- General schedule: Youth and family tours will be suspended from September 2026 - August 2027. Water Renewal Tours will be suspended from December 2025 - December 2026.
- Facility hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday closed
About the provider
Boise WaterShed Exhibits, Inc. was founded in 2005, and construction of The WaterShed was funded and completed in 2008. In 2025, The WaterShed added climate education to its mission. The WaterShed is a Certified Gold LEED building and engages the community in conversation and action through exhibits, programs, and public art.
Programs and events are for adults and youth of all ages in addition to the free exhibit hall and river campus. All ages are welcome for Story Time and Homeschool Programs. The WaterShed is a host institution for Project WET and a partner with NASA’s Earth to Sky network.
Last updated November 4, 2026.
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