The Garden is OPEN Wednesday - Monday, 9AM- 5PM | Last admission is 4pm | CLOSED on Tuesday's & Sunday 8/17 for Outlaw Field.

Bug Day

Bug Day Returns to the Garden
Bigger and Buggier Than Ever
Saturday, September 20th | 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Buy Tickets Here

Discover a whole world 
right below your feet

or buzzing in the air!
Gather your curious kiddos, bring the whole crew, and get ready to crawl, fly, and flutter your way through one of the Garden’s most beloved family events: Bug Day.

This year’s Bug Day is packed with excitement across 20-plus engaging stations throughout the Garden, from hands-on science fun to live insects, bug-themed games, and creative art projects. Whether your kids love creepy crawlies or just want to paint their faces and build their own bugs, there’s something for everyone.

Explore the Event!

Download the Map Here

What’s New (and Awesome)in 2025:

Get ready for a day of hands-on discovery and buggy fun! At Bug Day, you can see real insects up close through microscopes, design your own creepy-crawly creations, and meet some of our Garden favorites—like buzzing bees, Bitsy the giant praying mantis, and our collection of curious carnivorous plants. Enjoy face painting from Flamingo Faces, live trivia, and citizen science activities, then refuel at local food trucks before diving into garden games in Outlaw Field or zipping down the 30-foot treehouse slide from Rocky Mountain Roll. And for the grown-ups, the IBG Bar will be open on the Plaza from 12–4 PM, serving up refreshing drinks—including a signature themed cocktail just for the day. There’s something for every little explorer (and grown-up bug lover too)!

Don’t miss returning favorites like Ask an Entomologist, Insect Camouflage and Mimicry, and so much more. It’s a full day of wonder, learning, and garden exploration your kids will talk about all year.

Tickets

Adults: $15
Member Adult: $12
Youth (4-12): $12
Children (3 & Under): Free

Tickets are limited. Skip the line and get yours online.

Buy Tickets Now

Bug Day Exhibits

Learn more about the Bug Day exhibitors below!
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Learn about insects, answer questions to earn prizes, and continue the fun with take-home activity sheets!

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Let your creativity flow and join Jessie to create a print of your favorite bugs!

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Learn from entomological experts about the amazing critters that call Idaho home!

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Come view honeybees in observation hives and see if you can find the Queen bee. Bee sure to bring your bee-related questions!

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Get up close to a wide variety of bugs and see wings, antenna, and more with a microscope!

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Bug-building challenges abound at this station. Are you up to the challenge?

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Come see a variety of carnivorous plants with an appetite! Locally propagated carnivorous plants will also be available for purchase.

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Learn about fun citizen science opportunities from the Idaho Bee Atlas to the Annual Butterfly Count!

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Explore digital drawing by learning to draw on an iPad and include photographs!

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View a reference collection of dragonflies from the Boise area and then play a “build a dragonfly” game!

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We welcome you to interact with Bitsy, a20-foot-tall dancing praying mantid! See if you can find her meandering the Garden.

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Discover the many ways insects can stay hidden in their habitat!

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Discover what insects you may see on your next visit to Lucky Peak State Park!

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Investigate macroinvertebrates to learn what they tell us about water quality!

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Test your knowledge on common garden pests and guests through a fun interactive game!

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Walk through the Labyrinth and enjoy a story about how plants can’t sit still. See if you can spot the hidden pollinator on each page!

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Discover the world beneath our feet and who is living in the soil!

Pro Tip: Come early, stay all day. With food trucks, shaded areas, scavenger hunts, and a full lineup of activities, this is the perfect way to spend a Saturday with the family.

Mark your calendar. Tell your friends. Bug Day is a must-see, must-do, must-be-there event.

Let’s get buggy in the Garden. See you September 20.

Getting Here

Bike, walk, carpool, or even jump on a broom stick. We love our
planet and we love it when our guests use alternative forms of transportation. But if driving is a must, here are some directions!
2355 Old Penitentiary Rd. Boise, Idaho 83712
Give me directions
Sponsors and Community Partners
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