Purim gets our vote for the most fun and kid-friendly Jewish holiday. Kids and grown-ups get to listen to a story about a king, queen, and bad guy—all the while they dress in costume, make noise, and eat hamantaschen. To add to the fun, many JCC’s and synagogues have carnivals with games, prizes, inflatables, and treats. To help you get in a holiday mood, we’ve rounded up the best Purim parties and carnivals in our part of New Jersey. Happy Purim!
Purim 2017 begins on Saturday evening, March 11 and concludes at sundown on Sunday, March 12
Aberdeen
Hamantaschen Baking
Learn how to roll, fold, fill and bake hamantaschen with nut-free fillings. RSVP required. For children ages 6 – 13 and their parents.
Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Rd
Sunday, March 5, 10:30 a.m.
Megillah Reading & Beatle-Mania Purim Spiel
Megillah Reading followed by a Beatles-inspired spiel and ice cream social.
Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Rd
Saturday, March 11, 7 – 9 p.m.
Children’s Megillah Reading & Carnival
An abbreviated Purim service including excerpts from the Megillah for children ages 3 – 12 years, followed by a Purim carnival.
Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, 55 Lloyd Rd
Sunday, March 12, 11 a.m.
Megillah Reading, Purim Spiel & Carnival
Temple Shalom of Aberdeen, 5 Ayrmont Lane
Monday, March 13, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
East Brunswick
Jewish Adventures – Purim
Learn about the holiday of Purim with crafts, games, songs, and snacks. For 3 and 4 year-olds, RSVP requested. Free
East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Ln
Sunday, March 5, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Purim: Sushi in Sushan
A Purim celebration for the whole family including Megillah reading, sushi, and Purim treats. RSVP requested. $10/person
Torah Links Family Learning Center, 4 Cornwall Dr
Saturday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
Family Megillah Reading & Tri-Synagogue Purim Carnival
A family-friendly megillah reading followed by a carnival sponsored by Temple B’nai Shalom, Young Israel of East Brunswick, and East Brunswick Jewish Center.
East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane
10 – 11 a.m. – Megillah reading
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Carnival
Edison
Community Purim Extravaganza
Live science show, inflatables, photo booth, Purim treats, and swimming. Sponsored by JCC of Middlesex County, Congregation Beth Mordecai, and Congregation Neve Shalom.
JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd, Edison
Sunday, March 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Elberon
Purim Spiel and Carnival
Song session, costume parade, and Little Mermaid-themed Purim spiel, followed by a carnival.
Temple Beth Miriam, 180 Lincoln Ave, Elberon
Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m., Carnival @ Noon
Freehold
Make Your Own Purim Grogger
Get ready for the upcoming holiday by making your very own grogger. For ages 4 – 6 years accompanied
by an adult. $10/child
Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mounts Corner Dr
Sunday, March 5, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Purim in the Stadium
Purim dinner, Blackjack, music, dancing, and a masquerade.
Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St, Freehold
Sunday, March 12, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Highland Park
Purim Party Shenanigans
Megillah reading, magic show for kids during megillah reading, and carnival with photo booths, face painting, spin art, and other fun.
Congregation Ahavas Achim, 216 South 1st Ave, Highland Park
Saturday, March 11, 7-10 p.m.
Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth Purim Carnival
201 South Third Ave, Highland Park
Sunday, March 12, 1 – 3 p.m.
Howell
70’s-Style Purim Megillah Reading
Come in tie-dye and get ready to disco for this multimedia megillah reading.
Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windeler Rd, Howell
Saturday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Community-Wide Purim Carnival
Purim fun with a D.J., photo booth, carnival games, and more.
Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windeler Rd, Howell
Sunday, March 12,11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Manalapan
Purim Palooza
Megillah reading followed by a DJ, pasta bar, hamantaschen, costume parade, and dancing. RSVP requested. $35/family, $15/person
Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Rd, Manalapan
Saturday, March 11, 5 p.m.
Marlboro
Women’s Circle Hamantashen Baking Event
Women and girls are invited to bake hamantaschen for community food baskets. Advance registration required. RSVP required. $10 per person
Center for Jewish Life, 176 Rt. 9 North, Marlboro
Tuesday, March 7, 7 – 9 p.m.
Purim for Young Families
Listen to the story of Purim followed by a costume parade with prizes for all and hamantaschen. Traditional megillah reading begins at 6:45 p.m..
Marlboro Jewish Center, 103 School Rd West, Marlboro
Saturday, March 11, 6 – 6:30 p.m.
Purim Shpiel – Book of Esther According to Billy Joel
The Purim story interpreted through Billy Joel. Please bring boxes of macaroni & cheese to use as groggers and then donate to those in need.
Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro
Saturday, March 11, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
PJ Library Purim Carnival 
Celebrate Purim with PJ Library with carnival games, rides, prizes, a costume parade, and holiday treats.
All ages. Free
Solomon Schechter Day School, 22 School Rd East, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, 10 – 11 a.m.
Special Needs Purim Carnival
The carnival will open early with a dedicated half hour for individuals with special needs.
Marlboro Jewish Center, 103 School Rd West, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
Purim Carnival @ Marlboro Jewish Center
Circus-themed carnival with games, food, and prizes.
Marlboro Jewish Center, 103 School Rd West, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, 11:30 a.m.
Temple Rodeph Torah Purim Carnival
Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, Noon – 2 p.m.
Purim in the Palace
Megillah reading, Purim banquet, children’s program, and magic show. Advance registration requested.
Center for Jewish Life, 176 Route 79, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, Noon – 2 p.m.
Monmouth Torah Links Purim Party
Festive meal, open bar, and kids activities.
Monmouth Torah Links 31 Gordons Corner Rd, Marlboro
Sunday, March 12, 5:45 – 8:45 p.m.
Metuchen
Purim Service & Party
Megillah reading and Purim fun for all ages including an ice cream party, Ga-Ga, movies and other kids’ activities.
Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave, Metuchen
Saturday, March 11, 6:45 – 10:30 p.m.
New Brunswick
Family Megillah Reading & Carnival
Listen to the megillah, and then have a blast at the Purim carnival.
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick
Sunday, March 12, Megillah – 10 a.m., Carnival – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Oakhurst
Megillah Reading
Traditional Megillah Reading
Congregation Torat El, 301 Monmouth Rd, Oakhurst
Saturday, March 11, 6:45 p.m.
Family Megillah Reading, Carnival & Concert
A family-friendly megillah reading followed by a carnival, lunch, and concert by The Bossy Frog band. Advance registration requested.
Congregation Torat El, 301 Monmouth Rd, Oakhurst
Sunday, March 12, Megillah reading – 10 a.m., Carnival – 11 a.m., Concert – Noon
Tinton Falls
Bagels & Blocks
Learn about Purim through a PJ Library story, songs, play, and crafts. For children ages 5 and under and their parents. No RSVP required. Free
Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave, Tinton Falls
Sunday, March 12, 9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Baking hamantaschen is a great (and delicious) way to get the kids excited for Purim and keep them occupied for a couple of hours. Looking for a recipe, or general inspiration? These unicorn hamantaschen are every kids’ dream come true and this cool graphic breaking down how to cut out, fill and fold hamantaschen is great for both newbies and veteran hamantaschen bakers.
Kvelling in Central New Jersey? Check out Kveller Middlesex & Monmouth, NJ.
