Fun In Jerusalem

Tu B’Shvat for Kids in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem and through out Israel, Tu Bshvat is a celebrated holiday. Not only because it fills the gap between Chanukka and Purim but because planting trees, plants and flowers in Israel is such an important part of Israeli culture.

Many communities host Tu Bshvat Seders, community planting and you can find dried fruit on every street corner. The following are a list of events happening around town that children and teenagers can enjoy.

Community Gardening

Most of the weekly community gardening projects including Halafta “Ginot Shimrit” and the garden in the Nature Museum are hosting special Tu Bshvat parties with planting, music and food. 

• Ginot Ha’ir: Thursday January 28 at 10:00am-12:00pm join Nir Barkat and Naomi Tsur as they celebrate Tu Bshvat at the community garden in Gonenim on Maaglei Yavne. 
• Community Garden Events

1. January 27, 2010
   10:00am – Ramat Eshkol, Ha’hamisha Asar garden, Tzofim forest, Ramat Ha’golan St.
   3:00pm – Talpiot Mizrach, Derech Hevron garden, Derech Hevron 148 St.
   4:00pm – Ramot, Ha’shavshavot garden, Karni St. corner of Reuven Mas.
2. January 28, 2010
   10:00am – Ramot, Ya’ar Ramot, Derech Ha’choresh St.
3. January 29, 2010
   9:00am – Kiryat Yovel, Bustania, near the Tree garden
   10:00am – Ramot, Ya’ar Ramot, Derech Ha’choresh St.
4. January 31, 2010
   3:00pm – Kiryat Yovel, Ulsvanger garden, Ulsvanger st.
5. February 2, 2010
   4:30pm – Sh’muel Ha’navie, Shkediot garden, Eretz Hefetz 102 St.

Tu Bshvat Events

• Jerusalem Biblical Zoo: January 29 11:00am-2:30pm. Plant flowers and plants. Art workshop. Taste fruits of the land.
• Jerusalem Botanical Gardens: January 28 & 29 at 4:00pm. Be a part of planting a carpet of 12,000 flowers and hear special tree stories. Friday January 29 12:30pm-2:30pm Trees and storytime. 1:30pm Storytime Hike around the gardens. Saturday January 30 12pm& 2pm family storytime and hike. Check our calendar for more details.
• Municipality Events: Friday January 29 10:00am-3:00pm Join Pepe Alalou at Kikar Zion in the center of town with music, street theater, artists and a Tu BShvat seder. FREE
• Keren Kayemet L’Israel: Call their hotline for information on hikes and planting in Jerusalem and through out the country 1-800-350-550
• Tu B’Shvat at Shai Agnon’s House (Talpiot): Storytelling, art workshop and a short video. Thursday January 28 from 4:00pm-6:00pm and Friday January 29 from 10:00am-12:00pm. For more details visit our calendar. 
• SPNI Tu Bshvat: Celebrate the plans to build a nature park in Deer Valley “Emek Hatzabaim”. Friday January 29,  12:30pm-2:30pm. Music, Art workshops, Recycling workshop, bake pita and tour the valley.  
• Bloomfield Science Museum: Friday January 29 and Saturday January 30. Celebrate Tu Bshvat by learning about the connection between Global Warming and planting trees.

Tu B’Shvat Arts & Crafts Ideas

• Creative Jewish Mom: Tu B’shvat Spice Project
• Birkat Chaverim: Learn to make Dried Fruit Trees

If you know of an additional event or have a creative art project you would like to share feel free to email us at info@funinjerusalem.com

The following is a list of events and attractions for kids and teens in Jerusalem that are a little out of the ordinary. Since January is not an Israeli school vacation time, make sure to call in advance to confirm tour and exhibit hours. Ask for an English tour; most museums and attractions will try to comply.

Parks in Jerusalem

There are hundreds of community parks throughout Jerusalem. Many of them have recently been renovated by the Municipality. The following is a list of some of the special parks with special kids playgrounds or sports facilities. We hope to constantly add to this list. If you would like to share your information on your favorite parks feel free to email us at info@funinjerusalem.com

For a Map of Jerusalem Parks click here!

Gan Sacher: Rechov Ruppin

Gan Sacher is one of the largest parks in Jerusalem and a popular place for a family BBQ. The park has playgrounds, bike paths and large open fields. In Gan Sacher you will find Kraft Stadium where you can watch American style football. The city has recently added a sports section to the park with exercise equipment for ages 14+. Street parking is available.

Don’t miss the skateboard park in gan Sacher where you can see a wide mix of kids practicing their tricks. It is near the basketball court or if you pass the dog park then veer left and go up the hill and you will see it. 

Gan San Simon: Rechov Hizkiyahu Hamelech

Gan San Simon is a large park between Katamon and San Simon. This park has playgrounds, large open grassy areas, a short bike/walking path, full size basketball court and it even has a gated dog park. Street parking is available.

Monster Slide Park: Rechov Chile, Kiryat Yovel

This is a favorite among kids and teens. The Monster sculpture in the center of the park has three tongues that act as slides. The center slide is the steepest and it can even make an adults adrenaline race. Street parking is available.

Gan Hapaamon: Corner of Jabotnisky and Keren Hayesod

Also known as Liberty Bell Park, this park has basketball courts, a children’s theater, an outdoor amphitheater, a large playground area and lots of shady grassy spots for a BBQ. The park hosts many events especially in the summer including Hakafot Shniot, The Book Fair, and the Puppet Festival. There is a replica of Philidelphia’s Liberty Bell in the center of the park.  Street parking and a parking lot are available.

Park Gilo: Tzviya VYitzchak Street, Gilo

This beautiful Keren Kayemet L’Israel park is a forest on a hilltop overlooking Jerusalem. It contains a Large childrens playground and climbing frame, toddler play area, Basketball Court, Trails, Picnic Areas, Adult Exercise Equipment, and stroller paths. There are no bathrooms or places to buy food or drink at the park but the local Gilo mall is a quick drive away. Bus: 31, 32, 71, 72.

Park Mexico:Kiryat Menachem

This large and open park has a major playstructure in the center with a large Mexican hat on top. You can take the Bus 13, 20 and ask for the Mexico Stop. Street parking is available.

“Park Hakipod” Porcupine Park: Horesh St. Ramot

This is the main park in Ramot and has over 7 acres of sports facilities, ampitheater, large grassy areas and a playground in the shape of a porcupine. 

Share your favorite Parks and Pics with us. Send them to info@funinjerusalem.com

For a list of more community parks in Hebrew, visit the Municipality Parks Site

Jerusalem Bird Observation Center 052-386-9488 ibrc@netvision.net.il
One acre between the Knesset and the Supreme Court is allocated as the Jerusalem Bird Observation Center. It includes a ringing station and a visitors center. The center offers workshops and events throughout the year including learning about birds and migration and night hikes.

Directions: Park in Gan Havradim on Rechov Rabin and you will see the Observation Center on the left hand side of the parking lot.

Gazelle Vallley:

Gazelles trapped by roads from all sides have made a home in a 25-acre valley in Southern Jerusalem. SPNI-Jerusalem and nearby residents are working to preserve the site for the animals and build a nature and education center for all city residents to enjoy. There is an entrance to the valley at the corner of Tzomet Pat and Herzog.

Community Gardens and Composting

Jerusalem’s diverse population is working together to convert over 20 abandoned plots into beautiful and productive community gardens. Neighbors get together weekly to plant, create walking paths and tend to beautiful neighborhood gardens. Plans are also underway to establish compost sites at each garden with an accessible drop-off container, so that locals can dispose of their organic waste in the compost pile, rather than in landfills. Projects include Ginot Shimrit on Rechov Halafta, Garden on Rechov Bruria, a garden behind the bank Hapoalim on Palmach. Click here for a complete list of neighborhood garden projects.

Jerusalem Green Map

Jerusalem’s Green Map will increase awareness of urban ecology by identifying environmentally friendly accommodations, pedestrian trails, walking tours and more.

Ramot Forest Gazelle Trail 02-586-6446
Come and see one of the last remaining natural Gazelle habitats in Jerusalem. The home of 35-40 Gazelles and Falcons. Directions: Coming into Jerusalem from Route 1 take the exit for Har Hotzvim, Dead Sea Route #9 and then take the first exit into Ramot. Take the first turn onto Yigal Alon and then the second left onto Derech Hachoresh. Park in the shopping center and look for signs for the Porcupine Park.

Butterfly House, Botanical Gardens Jerusalem

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 (02)648-0049

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens has more than six thousand plant species, which were brought to Israel from all over the world and are being preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. The plants are displayed in six sections, North America, South Africa, Europe, Australia, Central Asia, Mediteranean, each designed to create a miniature landscape of the region of origin of the plants. This summer 2009 the botanical gardens is hosting a Butterfly House with workshops and activities. There is also a Garden Train for kids to enjoy.

From April-August there will be a special Butterfly exhibit which includes art workshops for kids.

Opening Hours:

Garden: Sunday-Thursday, Sat 7:00am-Nightfall, Friday 7:00am-3:00pm

The F.Dworsky Tropical Conservatory: Sunday-Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm, Friday,Sabbath,Holy days 10:00am-2:00pm

Garden Train: Monday-Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm (on the hour)   

On Sat and Holy Days entrance to the garden is limited to members and pre-puchased tickets.

Ticket Prices:
Adult 28 NIS

Child, Pensioner, Student, Soldier , Disabled person 18 NIS

Adult groups (min. of 20) 25 NIS

Children groups (min. of 20) 15 NIS

For credit card bookings: 02-6794012
 

Tours:

Guided Tours in Hebrew:(included in entrance fee)

March-May : Tuesdays 4:00pm, Fridays 10:00am

June-September : Sundays and Tuesdays 5pm

Groups: Can be organized in various languages by prior arrangement.  For further details and bookings: 02-6794012

How To Get To The Botanical Gardens… 

By Private Vehicle

Take Rechov Herzog South just past Rechov Burla to the first turn off on the right. Then make a left into the Botanical Gardens parking lot.

By Bus

19, 31 (Rechov Herzog) 17  (Rehov Yehuda Burla)