The Fun In Jerusalem blog started 2 years ago with a blog post about activities to do with your kids to prepare for Yom Yerushalayim. So it is only appropriate to continue this year with more ideas.

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day is celebrated this year on Tuesday Night (May 31) and Wednesday (June 1).

Places to visit before Yom Yerushalayim:

• Givat Hatachmoshet: "Ammunition Hill" : A strategic hilltop in the 6 Day War
• Old Yishuv Court Museum: Learn about the life of the Jewish people living in the Old City through the ages
• Tayelet: "Haas Promenade": Enjoy one of the best views of Jerusalem and the Old City
• Castel: On the road to Jerusalem another key strategic location in the 6 Day War
• City of David: Learn about ancient Jerusalem and walk through actual water tunnels used to bring water to the Temple.
• Night Spectacular at the Tower of David: Sound and light show depicting Jerusalem through the ages.
• Al Derech Burma: Learn about the parts of the war that took place on this strategic road near Beit Shemesh as you take a bike ride with a guide. Children's bikes and infant bike seats are available.

Activities to do on Yom Yerushalayim (check our calendar of events for details)

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You can't miss the feeling of excitement in the air as Jerusalem residents prepare for Yom Haatzmaut. School kids are already dressed in Blue and White and the newspaper comes with a free Israeli flag banner courtesy of Bank Hapoalim. 

This year there will be a variety of events hosted by the different neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Most events include a festive tefillah, singing, dancing, children's entertainment, fireworks and of course Jumpy castles (moon bounces). Many neighborhoods have events for teenagers as well. For a full listing of events be sure to check our Calendar.

Fireworks May 9, 2011:

• 10:30pm Over the Leonardo Plaza Hotel
• 12:00am Over the Leonardo Plaza Hotel
• Neighborhood fireworks at the Tayelet, Gilo, Homat Shmuel, Pisgat Zeev, Kiryat Yovel, Ramot

Yom Haatzmaut Day May 10, 2011:

• IDF Hands On Exhibits: Come to the parking lot next to Givat Hatachmoshet to see tanks, learn about ammunition, see police horses and dogs perform and more.
• Snappling Adventure in Valley Gei Ben Hinom: Rappelling with a view of the Old City Walls with Challenge Tours
• Mekorot National Water Visitors Center: Learn about the National Water Supply company and how it provides water for Jerusalem.
• Underground Prisoners Museum: The museum will be open and offers live actors around the museum teaching visitors about the underground fighters who fought for Israel's Independence. English scavengar hunt is available for families.
• Ein Yael: Open from 10am-4pm. Activities include Ceramics, Fresco, Mosaics, Bake pita, Pinat Chai (petting zoo), Paper workshop
• Israel Museum: Open for FREE till 9pm
• Bank of Israel Visitors Center: FREE tour and interactive video games taech you about Israel's currency. Reservations required.
• Bloomfield Science Museum: FREE for kids up to age 18. Special science and magic workshops, Dr Molecule Show (15 NIS).
• Kibbutz Tzuba Family Hikes: Learn about the history of Tzuba and see the ancient city ruins.

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Passover 2011 is approaching and there are so many events and activities for your kids, teens and families to do in Jerusalem. We will continue to update this post as more information becomes available.

Discounts

• 10% off the Ein Yael "Shir Hashirim" Festival: learn to build mud houses, visit an ancient marketplace and enjoy a petting zoo and arts and crafts workshops in the beautiful Jerusalem Hills.
• 10% the Jerusalem Bird Observatory Bird Migration Festival: this is a great event for the whole family. Learn about the birds of Jerusalem and take a tour of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory. Arts and Crafts workshops for kids.
• FREE Child Admission to Mini Israel: See all of Israel in an hour. 385 models, 25,000 miniatures. 3D minimax and kids attractions.
• 20% off entrance to Zoology Pinat Chai: a great hands on animal experience for your kids in the heart of Baka.

Pre-Passover Kaytana (day camps) April 10-14. Special day camps around Jerusalem for the week before Passover.
Ein Yael, Bible Lands Museum, El Halev Martial Arts for Girls, Teen Painting Workshop, Jerusalem Culinary Institute Classes for Kids, King David HorseBack Riding Camp

Activities:

• Rappelling (Snappling) in the Valley Gei Ben Hinom outside the Old City Walls
• Park Jerusalem: Bike Festival for the whole family and navigational games
• Jerusalem ATV
• Pesach in Gush Etzion: Navigational Games, Family Treasure Hunt, Tours of Herodian
• Deerland Adventure Park: Longest Zipline in the Middle East, Trampoline Bungee, Ropes Course, Petting zoo, Kiddie Train and more great adventures
• Aleh Marches Forward: Walk across the bridge of strings with ALEH to increase public awareness for the disabled.

Festivals & Museum Events:

• Ein Yael Shir Hashirim Festival: see above
• Fairy Tale Festival at Ein Hemed: Meet Peter Pan and Rapunzel in this beautiful park outside Jerusalem.
• Bible Lands Museum Family Experience: Theatrical tours, art workshop, David & Goliath Show.
• Israel Museum: Recycle Art workshops, sculpture workshops, musical show. Kids enter the museum for FREE
• Bank of Israel Visitors Center: Learn about the history of Israeli Currency and what the Bank of Israel does. Video games, movie and exhibits. Ages 8+.
• City of David Attractions: Paintball, Segways, Pine Cone Crafts, Quadricycles, Temple Mount Sifting
• Bloomfield Science Museum: Learn about chemistry with Dr Molecule, Magic Potion, Wonders of Chemistry and more fun workshops.
• Shai Agnon's House: Children's play based on Bialik's works

Theater:

• Train Theater: Puppet theater for young kids.
• Where is Mrs Gabbai? Walking theater through Yemin Moshe for kids.
• Jerusalem Theater: Peter Pan, Zimbalista
• Jerusalem Cinemateque: Rango

Events will be added as the information becomes available so make sure to check back with us or to sign up for our newsletter.
For a full list of events by day visit our calendar.

Purim is just around the corner and the smell of Oznei Haman is everywhere. Children have already begun to dress up in their gannim and schools and costume stores have popped up on every street corner.

Purim in Jerusalem seems to last for over a week although it will actually be celebrated on Monday March 21st this year. On Sunday, Purim is celebrated outside of Jerusalem but there are plenty of Purim activities, parties and fun to be had on both days.

This Friday (March 18th) there will be a pre-Purim street fair on Emek Refaim run by the Ginot Ha'ir and a special celebration at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, then its a good time to go Ice Skating in Kikar Safra before the weather warms up.

On Sunday and Monday the museums and malls begin their Purim programs. Enjoy art workshops at the Israel Museum, Children's Theater at the Museum of Islamic Art, a theatrical tour of the Museum of Italian Art and a Mayumana rythm workshop at the Tower of David Museum.

If you like to dress up then take advantage of the Terminal (Time Elevator) free offer. Come dressed up as a doctor and receive free admission to their 3D movie about the body, come dressed as a person from India for free access to their Wonders of India movie or as an astronaut for free admission to their Wonders of the Universe movie.

Other city events include a Purim parade at Mamilla Mall, Drumming Circle and Megilla Reading in Talbieh and HOP live at Binyanei Hauma.

If you are planning your own party and still looking for that special magician, storyteller or face painter, make sure to look up our Party Entertainers Directory for some great options.

Let the Purim Fun in Jerusalem begin!