Fun In Jerusalem recommended Pre-Pesach Camps

School vacation begins a week before Pesach. There are lots of great options for workshops and kaytanot in Jerusalem. The following camps are open to locals and tourists. All of the camps mentioned below have English and Hebrew speaking counselors and instructors.

YMCA: Art, Sport and Theater for ages Gan Hova-8th Grade. Extended day options available. Spring campers will receive a discount on Summer Camp rates. Click here to find out more.

King David Stables: Learn to horseback ride, take care of horses and other fun activities in the beautiful Jerusalem Hills. Transportation is available from Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Ceramic Art Center: Claytina, a unique and fun clay & craft project kaytana for kids ages 7-12 years old. Located in Talpiot.

All Star Sports: American style sports camp in the Kraft Stadium, near Gan Sacher. Individual days are available. Ask about the early registration discounts.

Liga Camp: One day sports camp on March 20th from 8am-3pm. 30 NIS includes sports, pizza lunch and snacks. Katamon.

If you are already looking to plan your summer then take a look at our Jerusalem Summer Camp Directory. We have sports, art, drama, and even technology camps to choose from. Just keep in mind that the final dates and prices will only be listed starting in June.

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 February 25th this year. On Sunday February 24th, Purim is celebrated outside of Jerusalem but there are plenty of Purim activities, parties and fun to be had on both days.

As a special treat this year the Jerusalem municipality will be hosting an ICE Festival with a Far East and underwater theme. This year they are proud to present an acrobatic ice show with world renowned Chinese skaters. Tickets are required in advance. Order tickets through Fun In Jerusalem and receive a 5 NIS discount per ticket. You can rush over before the weather warms up or wait till April to enjoy the ice because the festival takes place in a tent that is artificially cooled to -10.

Museum Activities:

• Israel Museum: Street party, Purim workshops, storytelling
• Children's Theater at the Museum of Islamic Art: Art workshops and daily childrens show
• Bloomfield Science Museum : Science workshops and exhibit tours
• Tower of David Theatrical Tour: Meet costumed actors from Jerusalem's history as they take you around the Tower
• Old Yishuv Court Museum: Kids can guide a group around the museum
• Purim at the Biblical Zoo: Feed the animals mishloach manot, live music
• Museum of Italian Jewish Art: "In Search of the Treaure"

Theater Events:

• Jerusalem Theater: Grandpa Tuvya's Tales
• Train Theater: Emperors New Clothes, Corderoy
• Jerusalem Cinemateque: "Tad the Lost Explorer"
• Beit Shmuel: Alladin

City Events:

• Jerusalem Ice Festival: Purchase tickets for the Ice Sculpture Exhibit or the Acrobatic Show (joint tickets are available as well)
• Purim in Park Jerusalem:
• Kikar Safra Purim Party for Families: Live kids shows, music, and fun
• Purim Tours with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation: Families will come dressed up and tour famous sites within the Old City.
• Purim Tours with Beit Shmuel
• Gan Sacher Purim Party: Sponsored by Lev Hair Community Council
• Jerusalem Bird Observatory: Learn about bird ringing and the birds that live in Israel

There will also be a variety of Megilla readings throughout the city. Toddlers can enjoy a special reading in the German Colony, or if you are looking for a later megilla reading try and catch one of the Azza Zazza Megilla readings at local restaurants. The Agnon Museum will also be hosting a free reading for families.

Let the Purim Fun in Jerusalem begin!

Passover 2013 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. If you are looking for a full day itinerary then check out our "7 Days in Jerusalem". For specific Pesach events see below.
***Be aware that March 20-22 President Obama will be in Jerusalem and many roads will be closed. The Israel Museum and Bible Lands Museum will also be closed to the public. ***
 
Pre-Passover Kaytana (day camps) Special day camps around Jerusalem for the week before Passover.
  

Activities: Book in Advance

Jerusalem Ice Festival: This is a must see activity. This year's theme is the Far East and underwater world. Don't miss the amazing Acrobatic Ice Show. Take a picture with the Obama ice sculpture in honor of his visit to Jerusalem.

Old City Scavenger Hunt: Learn about the history of the Old City while playing this fun and challenging game. Check the calendar for pay per person hunts on March 24, 27, 28.

  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the Tayelet overlooking the Old City Walls. Perfect for beginners.

Jerusalem Ropes Course in Park Gilo: Learn to rappell, climb a rope ladder, acrobatic walking and ride the sky wing and omega. Reservations required in advance for groups. Open Thursday March 28th at 12:00pm-2:00pm and at 5:00-7:00pm for individuals. 100 NIS per person.

Jerusalem ATV: Ride an ATV in the Jerusalem Hills.

Genesis Land: Be a guest in Abraham's tent, ride a camel, learn ancinet Hebrew writing and meet the Biblical characters overlooking the desert.

Jerusalem Art Tour: Explore the streets of Nachlaot, visit the local artists and learn about the history fo the area. There is also an option for a Studio hop in Talpiot. Ages 12+

Festivals & Museum Events:

Ein Yael Spring Festival: Children's Theater and art workshops (making instruments, mosaic,goat milking, weaving etc.) Visit an ancient Roman street. The Pesach Festival will be on March 27-29. Click here for a 10% coupon.

Museum of the Underground Museum: Learn about the founding of the State of Israel with an English tour led by costumed actors around the museum. There are also art workshops for kids and a self guided scavenger hunt around the museum. Highly recommended!!

Festival at Ein Hemed: Knights Festival at Ein Hemed Nature Reserve. Shows and activities for kids in a beautiful natural setting. March 28, 30.

Gihon Tour: Learn about waste water. Guided tour of the purification plant, movie and slideshow.

Bible Lands Museum  Theatrical tours, art workshop and children's theater

Israel Museum:  Hear stories about Eliyahu Hanavi, Recycle Art workshops,  Kids under 17 enter the museum for FREE on Passover.

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+.

Botanical Gardens: "Meet in Nature"! Take a tour of the Gardens during the peak of the flowering season, and enjoy 'meeting points' along the way - guides with useful information and stories, actors 'in the field' and free activities for children. FREE

Biblical Zoo: Feed the elephants chametz before Passover, Bubbles show, Incubator Animal Theater and more. There will be no train on Chol Hamoed.   

Bloomfield Science Museum: Hands on exhibits, outdoor water exhibits and science shows for kids.

Theater:

Train Theater: Puppet theater for young kids in the Liberty Bell Park (next to the Inbal). Daily shows.

Where is Mrs Gabbai? Walking theater through Yemin Moshe for kids. (Hebrew)

Dream Trackers: Walking theaterical tour of Yemin Moshe (Hebrew)

 

Special Shows Outside Jerusalem

Sonic Vision at the Planetarium: The Planetarium at the Eretz Israel Museum presents a special audio visual experience set to MOBY music. First time this will be shown in Israel. March 28
Circus Madagascar: Enjoy this fun circus set to the music of Madagascar in Ramat Gan
Prince of Egypt: Musical presentation of the story of the Prince of Egypt. Tel Aviv. Ages 3-12
Circus Dorato: Fun for the whole family in Modiin. March 27 at 5:30pm
Sound of Music in Noah's Ark: Magical musical legend from the biblical flood story, full of adventure and mystery, with classical music. Latrun. March 27
School of Magic: Interactive magic show for kids. Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv. Ages 4+


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.

Are you looking for the perfect gift to buy your kids this Hanukkah? Do you walk into the large toy stores and feel overwhelmed and wonder if there are still any "mom & pop" shops around Jerusalem? We are here to tell you that there are. Esther, who runs Bazaar Moriah on Palmach Street in Katamon is a gem. She knows about the latest trends and the hottest new toys.  Best of all she can give you personal advice based on your child's age and interests.
These are some of the great toys she recommends for this Hanukka. Make sure to tell her you heard about her on Fun In Jerusalem and she will give you a special discount.  (This is not a paid advertisement ...we just really love Esther's shop and the great toys she sells).

Magnet Toy (Age 3+)
This is a great toy for parents who are worried about having lots of little pieces around the house. Kids can "draw" and create pictures using the special magnet pen and best of all the magnets don't come out. This toy offers hours of fun and is perfect to take on a plane or to a restaurant.

OGOBILD POD-Tent (Age 6+)
Double the fun. Enjoy building the tent and then playing inside it. Pod kit creates large, light-weight structures.  Add a simple bed sheet for play-fort fun!
Winner of the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2011

Suspend (Age 8+)
Melissa and Doug toys are known for their quality and their imagination. Suspend is a family game of tricky hangs and steady hands! Suspend comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to hang from a tabletop stand. Sound easy? Try adding another piece! Each time a bar is added, the balance shifts, the difficulty changes and the incredible midair sculpture transforms. This tricky game is for 1-4 players.

Pirate Ship (Age 3+)
Read the book, build the ship and let the fun begin. "Build-a-Story" comes with 1 large ship piece, 14 stand-up characters and accessories, plus a storybook and a fold-out play board. Highly recommended for kids ages 3+.

Engino: (Age 6+)
Esther describes this as better than Lego. This building toy lets kids build their favorite creatures and includes a motor that makes them move.

***Special on Hanukka Candles- Box of oil lights for 89 NIS***

Bazaar Moriah Information
Location: 18 Palmach st.
Phone: 02-563-6191
Sunday-Thursday Hours: 9am-1:45pm & 3:45pm-6:45pm
Friday Hours: 9:00am-1:30pm