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In this article, we are going to share 10 fun things to do in Jerusalem with kids in 2025. If you’re planning a family trip to Jerusalem, then we highly recommend taking some time to research and plan your itinerary so that you include kid-friendly activities.
We really enjoyed traveling in Jerusalem with our kids. They are quite young; we explored Jerusalem with a 6-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 6-month-old baby. We found the trip to be deeply significant, very meaningful, and extremely memorable. We would highly recommend a family trip to Jerusalem. However, we would also add that it is important to plan your trip carefully.
Traveling to Jerusalem with kids can be challenging, so good preparation and research count for everything. In this article, we’re going to share the best kid-friendly activities in Jerusalem. For each of the activities that we share, we will try to provide you with all the information you need, such as prices, opening hours, how to get there, and what to expect.
ALSO don’t miss our detailed and comprehensive guide to Traveling Israel with kids
Summary of the best things to do in Jerusalem with kids
- Hezekiya’s tunnel – Adventure, history & fun
- The Garden Tomb – History, play & tranquility
- The Western Wall – History & significant attraction
- Water Play at Teddy Park – Fun, refreshing & unique (great for yonder kids)
- The Church of the Nativity – Significant, cultural & historic
- Dead sea – Fun, unique & adventurous (best for older kids)
- Israel Aquarium – Fun, fascinating & great for learning
- Local Meal – Enjoyable & cultural
- Muristan Market – Cultural, varied & interesting
- Mount of Olives – Memorable, beautiful & unique
Staying for a few days? Check out our amazing 3 day Jerusalem itinerary
Map of the best things to do in Jerusalem with kids
What Is It Like to Travel in Jerusalem with Kids?
We absolutely loved traveling in Jerusalem with kids. We found the local culture to be family-friendly. Locals in Jerusalem greeted our kids with smiles and often gave them small gifts such as fruit and candy. It is part of their culture to welcome and honor families, and in our opinion, this makes a travel experience in Jerusalem very enjoyable for families.
It is important to recognize that Israel has a very hot, dry climate, especially in summer. So, if you’re planning to travel to Jerusalem with kids during the summer holidays of July and August, it is important to plan your itinerary to avoid being out during the heat of the day. Drink plenty of water and avoid direct sun exposure. We found the Jerusalem Old City to be relatively shaded and sheltered from the sun, allowing us to explore this area throughout the day without any problems (and we visited in August!)
Jerusalem also has plenty of convenience stores and shops. You can buy kid-friendly snacks and drinks, as well as items like nappies and wet wipes, from small convenience stores. The food in Jerusalem is pretty kid-friendly, with plenty of fruit, bread, and spices that are not too intense or strong, so there is plenty to choose from.
TOP TIPS for Traveling in Jerusalem with Kids
Don’t miss our step-by-step guide: How to travel from Tel Aviv Airport to the Jerusalem Old City
Firstly, it’s important to recognize that prices are pretty high in Jerusalem. So, make sure you budget for food and accommodation for your family and consider this in your planning before you book your trip.
When booking a hotel room in Jerusalem, we recommend looking for triple and quadruple rooms (rather than “family rooms,” which are often more expensive). Being willing to share beds will save a lot of money on accommodation. When you book your room, it is very important to enter all children in your booking, including their ages. We also strongly advise that you contact the hotel directly to confirm that your booking includes your children. In some cases, if your children are not chargeable at the hotel, they may not be included on the booking confirmation, and some hotels may question why you have turned up with children if they are not listed on your booking confirmation. By contacting the hotel in advance and letting them know that you are traveling with kids, you will be able to respond to any questions when you first check in with your kids.
Jerusalem is a beautiful, fascinating, and historic part of the world. However, if you spend your whole trip exploring historical landmarks, this may not be the most engaging experience for kids. By planning an itinerary that includes some great activities in Jerusalem for kids, you’ll make sure that everyone has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Is Jerusalem Safe with Kids?
OCTOBER 2023 UPDATE: We are very sad to learn of the problems in Israel. The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel to Israel including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They also advise against all travel in Gaza and the South and in the border regions with Lebanon and Syria in the North. Remember if you travel against FCO advice you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy. If you are currently in these regions follow consulate advice and take care. Keep your eye on the FCO website for updates.
If you’re planning to take your family to Jerusalem, you’ll probably want to know if Jerusalem is safe to visit with kids. Before we go on, it is important to recognize that any travel experience has inherent risks, and it is important to evaluate the risks yourself and make an informed decision. Israel has a history of conflict and political instability, and it’s important to make sure you keep up to date on the latest travel information and advice before your trip, even if you have booked tickets. We recommend keeping an eye on reliable sources of information about safe travel in Israel. We have found the UK FCO website to be particularly good for up-to-date and reliable travel safety advice.
Despite the political tensions, we found Jerusalem to be a relatively safe place to travel. People were warm, friendly, kind, and accepting, and we did not run into any problems. The Jerusalem Old City has a relatively safe feel, and it is policed by armed security guards who seem to be very professional and vigilant. There are some security checkpoints around the Jerusalem Old City. For example, you cannot enter the Western Wall without passing through a security checkpoint.
We do recommend that you are very vigilant with your property and belongings because theft and pickpocketing is an issue, especially in crowded tourist hotspots. When we out and about, we have found it very helpful to have a small amount of cash in our pockets and keep our wallets and money deeper down inside a day bag. We tend to use a dry sack inside our day bag to keep valuables safe and dry and reduce the chance of theft. Always be vigilant and aware of yourself and your belongings; some people may try to hassle you to buy things. We found the best way to avoid being drawn in is to be polite and friendly but keep moving. Don’t stop and start conversations with people; just smile and say “hi”, and don’t feel like you need to stop every time someone starts a conversation with you.
If you’re traveling in Jerusalem with young kids, always make sure you supervise them carefully, especially near roads and in crowded locations. It is important to communicate your expectations and have firm boundaries with your own children when you’re exploring Jerusalem with kids.
1 Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Hezekiyah’s tunnel
One of the best things to do in Jerusalem with kids is to visit Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel. This is a remarkable and unique attraction. Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and religious significance. It is situated in the City of David National Park, located to the south of the Jerusalem Old City.
If you plan to visit Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel, we highly recommend preparing well before your trip. Pack a small day bag including changes of clothes, a towel, a water bottle, and if you have a torch, we highly recommend bringing it along. When you arrive at the City of David Visitor Center, you can buy tickets for Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel. There are also toilets, a gift shop, and a cafe at this location.
From here, you need to walk around 5 minutes down the path following the signs to the entrance of Warren’s Shaft. When you reach the entrance, there is someone to check your ticket, and you can start your adventure. You need to follow a small path down into a cave and learn about the unique history of this area from signs along the way. After around 5 minutes, you will reach the start of Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel. If you don’t want to get wet, there is an alternative route called the Canaanite dry route.
Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel is a small, narrow tunnel carved into the rocks, and you can walk all the way through the tunnel, waiting for water, which is generally around ankle deep. It is worth recognizing that there are a couple of deeper sections at the start and end of the walk. The walk itself may be a little more challenging for adults as you need to stoop in long sections due to the low roof. We don’t recommend it for anyone with back problems, and it is not suitable for anyone in a wheelchair or anyone with mobility issues.
The end of Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel brings you out at the bottom of the hill. From here you can take a shuttle bus back to the visitors centre for 7NIS. Alternatively the bus 286 runs back up the hill past the visitors centre (5.5NIS around £1 or $1.20). Our kids found this a lot of fun, and we even took our baby through Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel using a sling. She fell asleep partway through. So if you’re struggling to get your baby to nap, just stick them in a sling and wade through an ancient water tunnel!
Hezekiah’s tunnel details
- Adult: 28NIS (around £6 or $8)
- Child (5 – 18 years old): 14NIS (around £3 or $4)
- Under 5 years old FREE
- Small torch 6NIS (you can buy these at the visitors centre where you buy tickets)
- Hezekiyah’s Tunnel is open 6 days a week:
- Sunday – Thursday 8am – 5pm
- Friday 8am – 2pm
- Saturday CLOSED
2 The Garden Tomb
If you’re looking for things to do in Jerusalem with kids, then we highly recommend a visit to the Garden Tomb. This is a wonderful place for kids, whether you are interested in the religious history of this area or not. The Garden Tomb is a beautifully preserved and conserved section of a garden with beautiful blossoming plants and a peaceful ambiance. The staff at the Garden Tomb are very kind and welcoming, and they love to see children exploring the garden.
The Garden Tomb is the preferred Protestant site for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. At the Garden Tomb, you can see the cliff which appears to have a skull shape in it, and some people believe this is what the Bible refers to as Golgotha or the place of the skull, which is a reference to the location at which Jesus was crucified. There is also a small tomb cut into the rock, and it is possible to walk inside this empty tomb and see the burial site of Jesus. We absolutely loved exploring the Garden Tomb.
The peaceful, calm, and cool atmosphere at this location is a lovely contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Jerusalem Old City. It is also conveniently located just to the north of the old city walls, close to the Damascus Gate. What’s more, it is completely free to visit the Garden Tomb, and you can spend as long here as you like. The facilities at the Garden Tomb are excellent. There is a toilet, a free water dispenser, and a gift shop selling an extensive range of creative and beautiful local gifts for very reasonable prices. In our opinion, the Garden Tomb is an amazing thing to do in Jerusalem with kids, and we would recommend it to anyone.
They are currently building accessibility ramps to the tomb so prams and wheelchair users can visit the tomb itself.
Garden tomb details
- Price: FREE (you can make donations)
- Opening hours: 8.30 – 5pm
- Closed on Sundays (except August: closed Sunday and Mondays)
- May – early July busy, End July and August more quiet, Busy September – October
- December – February quiet, can be cold and rainy
3 Visit the Western Wall
If you’re looking for things to do in Jerusalem with kids to help them connect with the rich culture and history of this fascinating city, then you need to make sure you visit the Western Wall. You can visit the Western Wall 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and this is absolutely free to visit.
What’s more, kids are very welcome at the Western Wall. Sometimes we feel a little bit uncomfortable bringing our children to sites of religious worship because we don’t want to be disrespectful or distract people. However, we found people at the Western Wall to be very welcoming and accepting of our children.
When we visited the Western Wall, our two boys, six and three years old, both went into the male section with Pete, and our baby Florence, who is 6 months old, went into the female section with Emma. We had absolutely no problems and found the locals to be very warm and friendly seeing children at the Western Wall. It is also fascinating to learn about the incredible history of this significant site. The Western Wall dates back to the Second Temple period and is thought to be built by Herod the Great. It is around 2041 years old. If you visit the male section of the Western Wall, you will need to wear a yarmulke to show respect; you can borrow these as you enter the Western Wall.
When you are at the Western Wall, you will see many locals praying, worshiping, and reciting scriptures. In the cracks of the Western Wall between the bricks, you can see many small folded pieces of paper; these are prayers that people have written down and placed in the Western Wall. There are also very good facilities at the Western Wall; you can visit the museum to learn about the local history, and there are public toilets available.
4 Water Play at Teddy Park
One of the best things to do in Jerusalem with kids is to visit Teddy Park. This is a beautiful public park situated just outside the west of the city walls, close to the Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David. One of the best things about Teddy Park is the water fountain play area, which is very popular with locals. Oh yeah and also its FREE. There is a great atmosphere here, and plenty of families gather to enjoy the water and cool off. The water fountain play area is surrounded by grassy slopes so that parents can sit back and supervise children from a distance. The grass slope gives you a good view over the fountain area so that you can keep track of your kids.
During the summer, the water fountains run for 30 minutes every 30 minutes, so if you arrive and the fountains are not running, you won’t need to wait for any more than 30 minutes before they start running again. There is a great atmosphere here with kids running through the fountains and playing. If you’re planning to spend some time here with kids, we recommend bringing a few things for them to play with. It could be an empty water bottle, a bucket, a cup, or even water pistols and water squirters.
We also recommend that you bring swimming gear, a dry change of clothes, and a towel. Don’t forget to bring some protection; we recommend at least SPF 50 sunscreen and an SPF rash guard if you’re planning to spend some time here in the day. Water play at Teddy Park is ideal for kids under 10 years old; however, we did see teenagers enjoying this area too, so really it’s just a matter of working out whether your kids will enjoy splashing around in the water or just need to cool off.
5 Visit the Church of the Nativity
Don’t miss our full in depth guide to the Church of the Nativity
One of our top-pick things to do in Jerusalem with kids is to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Although this is not a dedicated family-friendly activity, it is possible to do this in a way that really helps kids connect with the Nativity Story and understand Christmas more deeply. The Church of the Nativity is situated around 15 km to the south of Jerusalem, and it is possible to travel all the way to Bethlehem by bus and then take a short walk to the Church of the Nativity. Don’t forget to pack your passport for this journey; there is a security checkpoint when you travel back from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, and the security guards will need to see your passports.
When you arrive in Bethlehem, if you take a short walk through town, you can get to the Church of the Nativity and explore this beautiful area. It is important that adults dress appropriately and respectfully when they visit the Church of the Nativity; you need to cover your knees and shoulders—vests and shorts are not considered appropriate; therefore, we recommend you bring a scarf or two to cover up.
Kids, on the other hand, are able to wear shorts in the Church of the Nativity. It is important to recognize that this is a popular and busy tourist attraction, and you will not be able to see the birthplace of Christ without sharing it with plenty of other people. It is also important to recognize that there is often a big queue to see the birthplace of Christ. If you’re traveling with young kids, they may not appreciate waiting for a long time in a big queue.
TOP TIP for the Church of the Nativity with kids
It is still possible to see the birthplace of Christ without waiting in the queue. If you speak to one of the local guides waiting outside at the Church of the Nativity, they can take special tours to visit the birthplace of Christ without needing to wait for ages in the queue while your kids get hot and bothered and lose interest in the experience. The local guides are knowledgeable and can also tell you about the history of the church and this unique area.
We really enjoyed visiting Bethlehem; this was a great way to connect with a local culture and learn more about this special and unique part of the world. The tour guides are normally willing to take a family or small group for around 100NIS – 150NIS (£20 – £30 or $25 – $36). If you are looking for a local guide we recommend Issa. He is friendly, knowledgeable and flexible on price. The best way to contact Issa is by Whatsapp: +972 52 373 0465
Church of the Nativity Details
- Price FREE
- Daily from 7 am – 6 pm
- Some days: 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm Mass (cave closed for around 30 minutes)
6 Visit the Dead Sea
If you are visiting Jerusalem with kids, then we highly recommend a visit to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is not in Jerusalem itself, but it is possible to take a day trip from Jerusalem to visit the Dead Sea, and we think that this is a very unique and special experience for kids. We do not recommend this for families with younger children who may struggle with the intense saltiness of the water and the exposure of this location. The Dead Sea has pretty harsh conditions. So, in our opinion, it is ideal for families with older kids. We think that teenagers would find this experience fascinating and not struggle with the conditions as much as younger kids.
When you visit the Dead Sea, it is very important to be prepared. Make sure that you bring swimming clothes, a towel, and a change of clothes, and consider some protection. We recommend SPF 50 sunscreen. It is also important to make sure that you visit the Dead Sea at a location where you can take a shower and fresh water after you have enjoyed the salty water. We visited the Dead Sea with our own children; our 6-year-old boy found it absolutely fascinating and loved it. However, our 3-year-old ended up splashing saltwater in his face and found the whole thing to be quite distressing and not particularly enjoyable. The high buoyancy of the Dead Sea is genuinely fascinating, and it is an extremely unique experience to swim in water like this.
7 Explore the Israel Aquarium
If you’re looking for things to do in Jerusalem with kids that are different from exploring historic landmarks and traipsing around hot streets, then why not explore the Israel Aquarium? The Jerusalem aquarium is a fantastic place for kids to learn about sea life conservation and protection of our oceans. You can see a wide range of sea creatures at the Jerusalem Aquarium, including sharks, tropical fish, coral reefs, octopus, and they even have a butterfly house.
Israel aquarium details:
- Sunday – Thursday 9am – 6pm
- Friday and Holiday eve 9am – 4pm
- Sat and Holiday 9am – 5pm
- Adult tickets cost 62NIS (around £12 or $15)
- Children’s tickets (3 – 18 years old) cost 51NIS (around £10 or $12)
8 Try a Local Meal
If you are exploring Jerusalem with kids, then we highly recommend that you make the most of the local food. There is plenty of street food available in and around the Jerusalem Old City. Some of the most popular food is a simple falafel pitta, which generally costs around 2NIS – 3NIS on the streets. However, if you are really hoping to dive in headfirst and experience the impressive food culture of Jerusalem, then we recommend that you splash out on a local meal. It is important to recognize that food is not particularly cheap in Jerusalem, so you need to be prepared to pay around £20 – £40 (or $25 – $50) for a large family meal, depending on where you eat and what you want to try.
Local food is a great way to help kids connect with the culture. If you’re visiting Jerusalem with a baby or a young toddler, be aware that most cafes and restaurants do not have baby chairs available. It is also important to be aware that some places do not include tax or service charges in the menu prices, so you may end up needing to pay even more than the price displayed on the menu. If you’re unsure of this, make sure you ask before you sit down.
Some kid-friendly dishes in Israel: Hummus, Falafel, Pitta, Shakshouka and Shawarma are all great food choices for kids in Jerusalem
9 Muristan Market
If you’re exploring Jerusalem with kids, then we highly recommend spending some time in some of the local markets. There are plenty of markets around Jerusalem. If you’re in the old city, don’t miss the beautiful Muristan Market, which is situated just to the south of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Muristan Market is a stunning historic market selling a wide range of local foods, including classic dishes such as Pita hummus and falafel.
Many of the cafes and restaurants in this area are more upmarket, offering a selection of traditional Jewish cuisine, including platters and barbecue meats. There are also plenty of gift shops and souvenir shops located in this area. This is a great opportunity for kids to explore and pick up a memento to remind them of their epic Jerusalem trip. It is important to barter if you’re hoping to get a fair price. Bartering can be a lot of fun. We recommend keeping it friendly and positive. Don’t feel obliged to buy anything just because someone has started a conversation with you.
10 Watch the Sunset from the Mount of Olives
Don’t miss our full guide to the Mount of Olives
If you are visiting Jerusalem with kids and you have an evening free, then we highly recommend heading up the Mount of Olives to watch the sunset over Jerusalem. If you are planning to walk up the Mount of Olives, there is a small footpath that leads up past the Garden of Gethsemane all the way to the peak of the Mount of Olives. However, this is quite a challenging walk, and we don’t recommend this with younger kids.
An alternative and affordable way to get to the peak of the Mount of Olives is to take a local bus. Buses run all the way up to the top of the Mount of Olives, and this is a beautiful place to enjoy the view and see the sunset over Jerusalem. Buses cost 5.5NIS per person (roughly £1 or $1.20). Bus 275 or 255 goes up Mount of Olives (255 follows a less direct route and 275 follows a more direct route). Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the old town to the peak of the Mount of Olives. It is very important to barter if you are hoping to get a fair price for a taxi. Expect to pay around 20NIS – 30NIS (around £4 – £6 or $5 – $8) each way for a taxi from the Old City to the top of the Mount of Olives.
