Kid-Friendly Adventure in Israel with GoTravelDaily
Israel, one of the world’s most kid-friendly countries, offers plenty for families to experience, from adventures in birdwatching and cave spelunking to racing down water park slides and enjoying lazy days at the beach. Children are highly valued in Israeli culture, and locals will often dote on little ones, welcoming children into upscale restaurants and festivities.
Top Family Picks across Israel
Upper Galilee
A major stopover for birds migrating between Africa, Europe, and Asia, Israel serves as a prime destination for birdwatchers of all ages. In the center of this migration route lies the Hula Valley, where each autumn and spring, over 500 million birds pass through the area. A standout location for bird spotting is Agamon HaHula, a park that provides guided bird tours by bicycle, golf cart, and even safari wagon. Summer can be quieter and hotter for birdwatching, but Agamon HaHula encourages sunrise, sunset, and night tours to enhance wildlife spotting opportunities. Children often find great excitement in observing night herons, barn owls, and other nocturnal creatures during these tours.
Drive a half hour southwest to the city of Tsfat, one of Israel’s traditional holy cities and a historical hub of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). An engaging way for kids to immerse themselves in the rich history of Tsfat, especially its Old City with cobblestone streets, ancient synagogues, and artists’ colonies, is through a guided scavenger hunt. Families can explore significant landmarks while documenting their adventure through pictures and social media, appealing even to teens and preteens looking for fun.
Lower Galilee
A thrilling stop just south of Tiberias along the Sea of Galilee is Aqua Kef, an inflatable, floating waterpark at Ganim Beach, best enjoyed in the warmer months. The Family Park (ideal for children over six) features trampolines, slides, and climbing walls, perfect for staying active during hot summer days. A smaller Kids’ Park accommodates ages three to six. Caution is advised near the shallow areas, which can be rocky and difficult to navigate without protective water shoes.
Judean Hills
Kids can unleash their inner archaeologists and cave explorers at Dig for a Day, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park. This unique experience allows families to dig, sift, and examine pottery shards, ancient jewelry, or even bones at the ancestral home of King Herod. The three-hour expedition includes an exhilarating cave crawl suitable for grade-school children and older.
Tel Aviv
Laden with sunny beaches and boardwalks, the Mediterranean port city of Tel Aviv offers entertaining options for all ages. Families can walk, cycle, or stroll along the 14,000-sq-m promenade of the Old Port, filled with cafes, shops, restaurants, and a carousel. Another delightful venue for younger kids is HaYarkon, a spacious green area on the Yarkon River that houses a waterpark, paddle boats, a bird sanctuary, and a petting zoo. For indoor enjoyment, the Island at Azrieli Towers inside the Azrieli Centre features attractions like a train ride, water slides, a haunted tunnel, and a rope course, catering to kids aged four to twelve.
Parents can refine their bargaining skills while children savor Middle Eastern delicacies at Carmel Market, an outdoor food and produce market, and at the nearby Nahalat Binyamin, a pedestrian mall boasting arts and crafts for sale, as well as street performers to captivate younger visitors.
Dead Sea
No trip to Israel is comprehensive without visiting Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea, all closely located. Masada, the mountaintop fortress in the Judean Desert where hundreds of Jews resisted a Roman siege approximately 2000 years ago, is suitable for school-aged children. Engaging a personal tour guide enhances the experience by illuminating the historical significance of the site.
Both Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and the Dead Sea are essential experiences. Ein Gedi, Israel’s largest oasis where the biblical King David sought refuge from King Saul, boasts year-round hiking trails adorned with refreshing springs, stunning lookout points, and wildlife encounters with ibexes and rock hyraxes. After a day of exploration, families can unwind at the Dead Sea, the world’s lowest point saturated with saline, allowing swimmers to effortlessly float and enjoy some playful mud treatments.
Jerusalem
Vibrant Jerusalem offers a sensory feast, being a world center of religion and culture, and is a fantastic destination for families. The locals cherish children, and families up for a little adventure can find numerous engaging experiences suited for all ages. Whether it’s exploring ancient sites or enjoying scrumptious meals, Jerusalem has something for everyone.
Accommodation
From luxurious hotels to kibbutz guesthouses and cozy bed and breakfasts, Israel provides a broad spectrum of family-friendly accommodation. Common choices in the Galilee and Negev include tzimmerim, relaxed bed and breakfasts often at more affordable rates than traditional hotels. Each tzimmer caters to different guests, so it’s wise to check if children are welcome prior to your stay. Major hotel chains across the country are renowned for their plentiful Israeli buffet breakfasts, typically included with your stay, and offer services such as babysitting for a fee. Cots are usually available for infants upon request.
How to Get Around
Public transportation is abundant, especially in major cities. A robust intercity train and bus system exists, with a high-speed train between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem facilitating travel. While having a car is beneficial for exploring remote destinations like the Hula Valley or Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park, combining buses and private taxis can also provide access to these locations.
Drivers in Israel can be aggressive, and the cost of petrol and car insurance may be high. Families can navigate urban settings such as Tel Aviv comfortably with pushchairs along beach boardwalks, though mountainous terrain and cobblestone streets may pose challenges. Car seats are mandatory for infants and toddlers, however, many rental companies, such as Eldan, offer car seat options for a nominal fee.
