The optical property, the environmental stability and the crystallization of ZnS thin films prepared by ion-assisted deposition (IAD) were investigated and compared with those of conventional electron-beam deposited thin films. The humidity(R.H. 85%) test and the thermal(15$0^{circ}C$) show that the IAD films have relatively higher refractive index, smaller extinction coefficient and environmentally more stable than the conventional films. It is believed to originate from the reduced adsorption of moisture which reflect the increased packing density and the improved microstructure by ion bombardment. XRD experiments also confirm that conventionally grown films have an amorphous in comparison with the crystalline structured IAD films.