Holon – A children’s paradise

Take a trip to Holon.

By MEITAL SHARABI

MAY 10, 2015 16:09

Sculptures made to represent a scene from the story ‘Noa’s Sign Language.’ (photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI) — Sculptures made to represent a scene from the story ‘Noa’s Sign Language.’

(photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)

Now that we’re finally getting back to our regular weekly schedule after making it through the Passover- to-Independence- Day holiday season, many people have had enough of picnics and hikes, and would love to do something city-based. And that’s perfectly okay – you don’t have to go out into nature to spend quality time with the kids. But however tempting it is to go to a movie or hang out in the mall, higher- quality alternatives exist if you just take the time to look. There is an abundance of cultural and children’s activities in the greater Tel Aviv area, especially in the city of Holon, also known as the city of children.

One of the most fun ways to get to know Holon – and a great way to let kids burn off some of their endless energy – is by taking a walk through the city’s Story Gardens. Spearheaded by Holon Municipality’s general manager Hana Hertzman, they are a glorification of popular children’s stories; a total of 50 plots boast statues depicting scenes from famous Israeli (and some foreign) stories, such as “That Kid Is Me,” “A Flat to Let,” “Noa’s Sign Language,” “Itamar Walks on Walls,” “The Little Prince,” “Eliezer and the Carrot” and dozens more. Entrance to all gardens is free. The gardens’ creators sought to lift the characters out of storybooks and bring them to life in large-scale, 3D figures.

While your kids are busy running around the statue of Nehama the Louse, you can relax on a bench in the shade or beneath the huge mushroom from the story “Garden of Dwarfs, Mushrooms and What Else?” Afterwards, you can stop for a drink at the Story Garden Café, offering creamy dairy dishes based on well-known characters from children’s stories. And of course, the bathroom is based on Alona Frankel’s acclaimed story “Once Upon a Potty.”

If you’d like to inject a bit of culture into your day, there are three sites that should not be overlooked, especially if you have curious children: the Holon Children’s Museum (214 Jerusalem Boulevard), the Mediatheque (6 Golda Meir Boulevard) and the Design Museum (8 Pinhas Eilon Street). Many of you have probably been to the Holon Children’s Museum before, but I recommend returning for a second visit to experience the new exhibitions.

The best-known exhibition at the Children’s Museum is of course “Dialogue in the Dark,” continuing in the new building, and there is also a new experience called “Invitation to Silence,” which simulates the world of the hearing- impaired. “Dialogue with Time” teaches children how to get to know and treat the elderly with respect, and about the connection between the generations.

In “The Aliens,” children learn how to move on after they’ve made a mistake and how to make friends with people different from themselves. All of the exhibitions incorporate games and interactive exercises.

Our next stop is the Mediatheque, an all-encompassing cultural hub comprising five exciting institutions under one roof: the Mediatheque Public Library, Mediatheque Theater for Children and Youth, Holon Cinematheque, Design Museum Holon and Israeli Cartoon Museum. When you arrive at the library and see how long the line is to check out books – especially on Saturdays – you’ll be amazed that so many kids still want to read books in old-fashioned paper format.

On the second floor you’ll find the materials library, home to more than 1,000 different materials such as plastic, metal and wood. Architects and artists come from all around the world to view them, since they are considered the next best thing in the world of design.

Our third cultural stop is the Design Museum, designed by Ron Arad Architects.

This impressive museum, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, is hosting three exhibitions focusing on the backstage world of design. One exhibition features stools by Yaakov Kaufman; another by Kahn Studio shows the development of three familiar objects – a salt shaker, a chain and a bowl of fruit.

To keep kids interested, the Mediatheque offers workshops for parents and children (NIS 100 for four people).

Translated by Hannah Hochner.