July 9, 2026 By CDHD Accessible summer fun for all ages It’s official. The sun is out. Summer is here, bringing the promise of rest, relaxation and fun! We’ve compiled a list of activities you can try out this summer to keep all ages and abilities entertained. They’re all accessible, with options available across Idaho. Outdoor summer activities Get moving with HAL: We’d be remiss not to mention our own Healthy Active Lifestyles (HAL) programs that offer the opportunity to get out and about around the Moscow area. Movement in the Park provides accessible exercise sessions twice per week, while NatureFit Adventures offers accessible outdoor exploration once per week. Spot some wildlife: With an abundance of wild spaces in Idaho, getting out to see our landscapes and the critters that call them home is a great summer activity. The Idaho Fish and Game offers maps of accessible viewing areas located right across the state. These sites provide viewing opportunities for people of all physical abilities, with many also offering trails, viewing blinds, boat docks, restrooms and parking. Go fishing: Speaking of experiencing the great outdoors, Idaho’s fishing is renowned. It’s also accessible to everyone, with many locations that provide accessible facilities such as hard finished unloading pads, pathways and ramps, restrooms and accessible fishing platforms. Attend a summer camps or recreation program: Is there anything more quintessentially summer? Programs are popping up across Idaho that provide accessible experiences for people of all ages and abilities. For example, the City of Boise’s Adaptive Recreation Program offers recreational, social and educational programs for all ages. Camp Hayden in Southeastern Idaho provides a summer camp experience for children with disabilities. And Handstands for Goals offers summer soccer programs for children with autism. Experience the Zoo: Zoo Boise not only features a menagerie of animals, but it also offers adaptive programs to ensure all ages and abilities can enjoy them. This includes Adaptive Evenings at the Zoo and Adaptive Animal Adventures. The zoo also offers free admission to personal care assistants accompanying people with disabilities. Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls also offers an accessible zoo environment, with flat, paved pathways and designated parking areas near the entrance. Wagons and manual wheelchairs can be borrowed on site for a small fee. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beyond the zoo, the surrounding park also offers accessible playgrounds, shaded areas, accessible bathrooms and picnic tables. Take a dip: If taking a dip in rejuvenating natural hot springs is your idea of summer bliss, Lava Hot Springs has you covered. This facility offers ramps into two of its five main hot pools. Submersible pool wheelchairs are also available upon request. They offer an indoor pool as well, with a stair lift. Accessible bathrooms and dressing rooms are also available. Indoor summer activities Catch the beauty of the cosmos: The Centennial Observatory in Twin Falls features the world’s largest fully wheelchair accessible public telescopes. Glimpse galaxies, nebulas and stars galore! While the Observatory is not a designated quiet space, it generally offers a relaxed and quiet pace with day and night viewing in darkened or open-air settings. Explore and learn: The Museum of Idaho summer day camps for children aged 6 to 13 are a fun option that let kids explore, learn and socialize. Different themed activities are available, such as museum campout, build and destroy, and myths and legends. ASL interpretation is available. The museum also offers a scholarship program to reduce the cost of each camp. Cool down at the movies: When the temps are soaring outside, movie theater air conditioning is a great escape. Regal Theaters offers My Way Matinees in locations across the US. These sensory friendly screenings feature turned up lights and lower volume. Guests are also free to express themselves in a safe space, whether it’s through singing, dancing, walking, talking or shouting. Bowl a strike: Bowling alleys across Idaho offer accessible entrances, pathways and lanes, with bumpers and adaptive equipment available to ensure everyone has the chance to throw a strike. Some cities also offer leagues and clubs for people with disabilities. For example, Boise’s AdVenture Club Bowling and Jerome’s Forgotten Ones league provide a great opportunity to meet new people and bowl in a supportive and fun environment.