Fun In Jerusalem

Purim in Jerusalem 

Purim celebrations have begun and will continue through Monday. Our Calendar of Events is packed with great activities for the whole family. The following is a taste of what’s available. Keep in mind that the weather report calls for Rain but many of the activities listed below can be enjoyed indoors.

• Purim Carnivals
• Museums
• Theater
• Community Events & Just Plain Fun

Purim Carnivals: for more details visit our Calendar

Mamila Mall 
 
Date: Monday March 1, 2010 (RAIN OR SHINE)
Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Activities:
-A colorful Purim Parade at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
-A Kids’ Playground: Above Castro store from 12pm-4pm
-The missing midget – mind games on magnetic boards
-Juggling workshop for the whole family
-Circus show at 12:30pm in the amphitheater
-Rap Circus: Juggling show with Rap music at 1:30pm
-Interactive Circus Show at 2:30pm
Price: FREE

PurShalayim – Street Fair on Rechov Hillel 
 
A Large Spectacular Purim Carnival in the Center of the City
-Outdoor Childrens’ Theater
-Learn to Juggle, walk on a rope and more
-Costume Contest
-Don Lenny Gabbay Performs-Children’s Channel and Shminiya star (12:30p-m)
-Avihu Shabat Performs (1:20pm)
-Omar Adam Performs (2:00pm)
Date: Monday 11:00-3:00pm
Price: FREE

Beit Shmuel
Animal Carnival: games, juggling, shows, workshops
Date: Monday 9:00am-2:00pm (Indoors)
Contact: 02-620-3463

Theater:

Jerusalem Theater
“Purim Musical” Monday 9:45am-12:30pm
Ages: 4-10 (Hebrew)
Price: 40 NIS

“Snow White” Monday 5:30pm
Ages: 3+ (Hebrew)
Price: 75 NIS
Contact: 02-560-5755

Binyanei Hauma:
“HOP Live, Purim Carnival”
Date: Sun & Mon 10am-7pm
Activities: Movies, Jumpy castles, games, virtual reality games for teens, shows
Contact:02-623-7000

Khan Theater
“Stolen Dreams”
Date: Sunday 5pm
Ages: 6+ (Hebrew)
Contact: 02-671-8281

Train Theater
Purim Shpiel in the circus
Date: Sat, Sun, Mon
Activities: Professional Photos with magical scenery, craft workshop
Plays: “The Cubes Circus” and “Little Big Man” (ages 4+)
Price: 30 NIS (1 show + workshop + photo)
Dress: Children should come dressed as circus figure
Location:Liberty Bell Park, 1 Jabotinsky St
Contact: 02-5618514

Museums: For more details visit our Calendar

Italian Jewish Museum: Queen Esther’s Italian courtyard
Activities:
-Visit the glorious Italian courtyard of Queen Esther.
-Megilla- The story of the Book of Esther will be read in Italian baroque style in the Synagogue at 8am
-Exhibit- Rare Megillot Esther Manuscripts
Date: Monday 10:00am-3:00pm (Indoors)
Price: Free
Contact: 02-624-1610

Underground Prisoners Museum 
Activities:
-Tours of the Museum including Acting segments at 12pm & 2pm (Hebrew)
-Family mission game – ”Mystery in the Prison Hallways”(Hebrew)
-Workshops: “To inscribe and be inscribed”– inscribing signs and symbols on plaster tiles
-”Weaving time”– create small “boresh” similar to the mats that the prisoners used to sleep on.
Date: Sun & Mon 9am-5pm (Indoors)
Address:1 Mishol HaGvora St. (Russian Compound, near City Hall complex)
Contact: 02-6233166
 
Tower of David Museum 
Activities:
Mayumana, rhythm workshop for parents and children.  Children can use sticks, buckets, tins and their own bodies as surprising musical instruments. Please wear comfortable, light cloths and sport shoes.
Date: Monday 12:00pm (RAIN OR SHINE)
Ages: 7+
Price (including entrance to the museum): 50 NIS (Child) 25 NIS (Adult)
Reservations Required: 02-6265333 www.towerofdavid.org.il 

Bloomfield Science Museum 
Activities:
-Humorist play about Darwin and his voyage on the ”Beagle” (Hebrew) at 1:00pm (15 NIS)
-Tours of the kinetic sculptures, Flight and leaning Tower of Pisa (Hebrew)
-DNA & Building Workshops
Date: Sat 10am-3pm, Sun & Mon 10am-6pm (Indoors)

Old Yishuv Court Museum 
Activities:
-10:30 – guided tour of the ”Why a hat? Why a handkerchief ”?
-11:00 – story time
-Mission game: ”Exhibits in disguise”
-Hat workshop
-Old fashioned costumes and games in the museum
Opening hours in Purim: (Indoors)
Sunday -10:00am-1:00pm
Monday –10:00am–1:00pm
Contact: 02-6284636, 052-4002478

Israel Museum 
Activities:
-Workshop: Create footstools from recycled material.
Date: Sun & Mon (Indoors)
Price: 10 NIS for workshop (free museum admission for kids on Mon)
Contact: 02-6771302
 

Community Events-for details visit our calendar
-Costume Competition at the Garden on Maaglei Yavne (Sunday)
-Magic Show at Ohel Nechama (Sunday)
-Baka Matnas Purim Party (Sunday)
-Toddler Megilla Reading and Games (Sunday)
-Gheppetos Wood Workshop is open for Childrens sessions (Sun & Mon)
-Biblical Zoo Art Workshops and Mishloach Manot for the animals (Sun & Mon)
-Costume Comeptition at Kef Tzuba (Sun & Mon)
-Cinemateque ET & Shrek (Sunday)

Preparing Mishloach Manot can be a great activity to do with your kids. Stores throughout the city carry the necessary supplies and you will find a candy store on every corner. The following is a list of some special places to go with unique products. If its on the list then its worth the drive!

Mishloach Manot & Purim Seuda Supplies

Click on the ad to email Plain & Fancy with your order and questions.

This summer was filled with exciting kids activities and festivals in Jerusalem. Thanks to our readers, both locals and tourists, for sending in pictures of their kids enjoying Jerusalem this summer. Jerusalem is a great city for kids of all ages.

Special thanks to Shlomo Katz for providing the music from his new CD Malei Olam.

FUN IN JERUSALEM Summer 2009 Kids Events Video

Events, Festivals and Activities Featured in the Fun In Jerusalem Video

Museum Activities
Bible Lands Family Activity, Israel Museum Archaeological Tel, Bloomfield Science Museum Water Exhibit & Luna Park Exhibit, Butterfly House at the Botanical Gardens, Caricature Exhibit at Tower of David,  Art Workshops at Museum of Islamic Art

Mall Activities
Tim Tam mischakiya Hadar Mall, Pirate Show at Malcha Mall

Festivals
Gush Etzion Cherry Festival June 2009,  Israel Museum Kite Festival August 2009, One Square Meter Poetry Festival, Hutzot Hayotzer August 2009,
 
FUN Attractions
Ammunition Hill, Rampart’s Walk, Eretz Breishit, Nature Museum Dinosaur Exhibit, Biblical Zoo,  Kef Tzuba, Hezkiyahu Water Tunnels,  Baby Shape Exercise Class, Jerusalem Pools,  Light Rail Open House

For a full list of upcoming events for kids in Jerusalem visit our Calendar of Events

For a full list of kids attractions in Jerusalem visit our Fun List

Hutzot Hayotzer, Jerusalem’s International Art Festival

Last night we went to Hutzot Hayotzer and in all honesty my kids were fast asleep at home. That didn’t stop me from looking around with a parent’s eye to see what they would have enjoyed. I have posted some pictures to give you a feel for the event. There is a great atmosphere at the International Art Festival and there are many artists selling children’s toys including puppets, science and discovery toys and children’s clothes.

As you walk in from the top entrance near the actual Artist Colony head straight up the hill (towards the Old City walls) and you will find the special activities for children. The children start at the Treasure Island looking in the sand for a special gold coin with the help of some pirates. Once they have found it they can take it to the fairy at the enchanted forest and she will tell them their fortune. Then they are sent to the witch’s house and can visit the gingerbread house.  The entire visit takes around 10 -15 minutes and is enjoyable for younger kids.

The older kids will appreciate the music and dancing on the stage in the Israeli artist area, the caricaturist and tattoo (don’t worry its only Henna) artist.  Don’t miss the great food area with booths from local restaurants selling everything from La Boca tortilla sandwiches to Snow Cones and Popcorn.  

# 1 Tip: Buy the tickets in advance, if you can, to avoid the long ticket lines especially on Sat night.

Where: Sultans Pool, Artist Colony

When: August 3-15, 2009 Closed on Friday Night

Time:Children’s activities are from 6:30pm-10:00pm