Tuesday Mornings, 10:30 A.M.-11:00 A.M.

Join us for a story and activity time for children Pre-K-2^nd grade and their caregivers. A different theme will be explored each week that highlights the stories and people of Idaho.

*No registration required

*Free with purchased admission

The yard is calling you… Enjoy the morning sunshine against the sandstone walls of the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary, as we present Yoga in the Yard! Eight sessions are available at $10 per session or $64 for all eight! Previous yoga experience is suggested, but all levels are welcome (18+ only). This is a small, intimate experience (25 people per session), with instructor Josie Kunzman. Guests must bring their own equipment, and a water bottle.

Buy Tickets Here

Yoga in the Yard: July 8-31, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30am-7:30am. Tickets for Idaho State Historical Society events are nonrefundable and non-transferable.

3rd Grade-5th Grade – July 22-26th

Who are the people who make up a community? Campers will learn about Idahoans that made our state great and defined history. Come experience first-hand the roles of innovators, explorers, artists, scientists and more! Master your leatherworking skills, design a map of the park for a camp friend to navigate, and build a bridge that can span a canyon while we learn about the important roles people play in a community.

Minimum 10 and Maximum 20 students per week.

Monday-Friday or Daily option
9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Daily rate: $40
Weekly rate: $180, $160 for Members

Campers will need to bring their own snacks and a bag lunch for each day of camp. We will explore the Museum as well as the outdoors in Julia Davis Park so please have campers dress appropriately for the weather. More information on camps, including necessary forms and documentation will be e-mailed to attendees after registration.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations received two weeks prior to camp dates will be refunded in full. Cancellations with less than two weeks’ notice will be not be refunded. Any questions please contact Education staff.

Maps help us to understand everything from faraway lands to our own backyards. For this Summertime Stories activity on July 23rd, we’ll listen to the book Mapping Sam, by Joyce Hesselberth. After that, we’ll create maps of whatever we can imagine!

Summertime Stories is a fun learning activity at the Idaho State Museum every Tuesday during the summer. Ideal for children Pre-K through 2nd Grade and their caregivers. Each week, we’ll explore a different theme that highlights the stories and people of Idaho. Governor Brad Little and Idaho’s First Lady Teresa Little have funded this program by a generous donation.

*No registration required

*Free with purchased admission

Now is your chance to experience a paranormal investigation at the Old Idaho Penitentiary! Join Big River Paranormal as they use their unique equipment and knowledge to attempt to connect with inmates and guards of the past.

Purchase Tickets Now!

Individual Tickets are $35 each. NOTE: Participants must be at least 18 years old (Photo ID required).

6th-9th Grade – July 29- August 2

How can we learn from the past to affect change in the future?  Learn the stories of Idaho’s History Makers by visiting different sites and exploring your community, then become a History Maker yourself as you create a piece of art to exhibit in the museum. By exploring our community and its needs, campers will create, problem solve, and take action to inspire change that is important to them.

Minimum 10 and Maximum 20 students per week.

Monday-Friday or Daily option
9 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Daily rate: $40
Weekly rate: $180, $160 for Members

Campers will need to bring their own snacks and a bag lunch for each day of camp. We will explore the Museum as well as the outdoors in Julia Davis Park so please have campers dress appropriately for the weather. More information on camps, including necessary forms and documentation will be e-mailed to attendees after registration.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations received two weeks prior to camp dates will be refunded in full. Cancellations with less than two weeks’ notice will be not be refunded. Any questions please contact Education staff.

Imagine floating along the Boise River. What would you see? Where would you end up? Daydream with us as we read the book A River by Marc Martin for this Summertime Stories. Join us as we participate in Wingtip Press’ Print Boise River project which will be displayed at the Museum during our First Thursday event in August.

Summertime Stories is a fun learning activity at the Idaho State Museum every Tuesday during the summer. Ideal for children Pre-K through 2nd Grade and their caregivers. Each week, we’ll explore a different theme that highlights the stories and people of Idaho. Governor Brad Little and Idaho’s First Lady Teresa Little have funded this program by a generous donation.

*No registration required

*Free with purchased admission

First Thursday August 1, the Idaho State Museum will host the Print Boise River Project. Enjoy free admission from 5-7 P.M. Through the direction of artist Amy Nack, founder of Wingtip Press, participants over the last few months carved fish, water images, birds, etc. and adhered them to the bottom of flip flops, creating personal stamps that they could use to leave their mark on this collaborative art piece. See the completed 150-foot mural and learn more about the importance of water in communities across Idaho at the Museum.

Race over to the Museum on Tuesday, August 6th for Summertime Stories. We’ll read a new take on an old classic: Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz, illustrated by Eda Kaban. Afterwards, there will be truck racing adventures.

Summertime Stories is a fun learning activity at the Idaho State Museum every Tuesday during the summer. Ideal for children Pre-K through 2nd Grade and their caregivers. Each week, we’ll explore a different theme that highlights the stories and people of Idaho. Governor Brad Little and Idaho’s First Lady Teresa Little have funded this program by a generous donation.

*No registration required

*Free with purchased admission

32 Cells IV: Art, Sports and Recreation
Saturday, August 10: 6:00pm-10:00pm (last admission 9:00pm)

Buy Tickets Here!

Swell Artist Collective and the Old Idaho Penitentiary have partnered up for the fourth year in a row to present 32 Cells! This art show will feature 32 works of art by local artists inspired by the origin stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary inmates and guards. Artwork will hang on prison doors for viewing. All pieces will be available for purchase.

Tickets are now on sale for 32 Cells: Art Sports and Recreation, as this year’s theme finds local artists interpreting true stories of Idaho State Penitentiary inmates and how they spent their time in and out of prison. This show, featuring amazing tales of inmate musicians, artists, athletes and craftsmen, is open to all ages, but is recommended for ages 13+ due to some mature content.

Ticket sales benefit Swell Artist Collective and the Idaho State Historical Society’s Ray Knight Memorial Scholarship for Idaho school field trips. Admission is $8 per person, and includes self-guided tours of the penitentiary. Food trucks Foxy Franks and Rio Grande Fine Mexican Food will be on hand, as well as a full bar by Jo’s Traveling Bar with beverages available for purchase.