Purim 2016 is right around the corner, and we’ve rounded up the best Purim activities for families in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Long Island, and Westchester. Whether you are looking to have some fun at a Purim carnival or attend a family-friendly megillah reading, we’ve got you covered, so get your costume on, dust off your grogger, and get ready to party Purim-style.
Purim begins the evening of Wednesday, March 23 and continues until sundown on Thursday, March 24. Need to brush up on your Purim facts? You can find everything you need to know here.
Brooklyn
The Purim Quest: The Search for Haman’s Plans
Travel back to the time of Purim during an interactive play with a surprise musical guest. Performance followed by activities and snacks. Free
Edith and Carl Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, 7802 Bay Parkway
Sunday, March 20, Noon – 3 p.m.
Purim Activities @ the Jewish Children’s Museum
Dress up in costume, go on a Purim scavenger hunt, and make delicious hamantaschen to take home. Free with museum admission.
Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway
Sundays, March 13 & 20, 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Purim Party
A pre-Purim party with a costume contest, buffet dinner, and magic show. Fun for all ages.
Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West
Saturday, March 19, 6:30 – 8:15 p.m.
Purim @ Bay Ridge Jewish Center
Purim crafts, costume parade, multimedia megillah reading, and other Purim fun.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Ave & 81st St
Wednesday, March 23, 6 – 9 p.m.
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Bronx
Riverdale Temple Purim Carnival
Inflatables, face painting, carnival games, crafts, balloon art, cotton candy, and popcorn. Additional food available for purchase.
Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, corner of 246th St
Sunday, March 13, Noon – 4 p.m.
Purim Adloyada Palooza
Fun for the whole family with dancing, crafts, hamantaschen making, krav maga, and a light kosher dinner.
The Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Avenue
Sunday, March 27, 3 – 6 p.m.
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Long Island
Purim Character Breakfast
Come in costume for a bagel breakfast, hamantaschen baking, songs, and games with Israeli scouts.
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Sunday, March 20, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Temple Chaverim Purim Carnival
Family Purim spiel and carnival with games, cotton candy, popcorn, and prizes.
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Avenue, Plainview
Sunday, March 20, 9:15 – 11 a.m.
Temple Or Elohim Purim Carnival
Rides, games, food, a DJ, and fabulous prizes.
Temple Or Elohim, 18 Tobie Lane, Jericho
Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friedberg JCC Purim Carnival
Enjoy family time, food, and fun, at JCC’s annual Purim carnival.
Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m – 2 p.m.
Central Synagogue of Nassau County/ Congregation Beth Emeth Purim Carnival
PJ Library story time, face painting, photo booth, music, costume contest, and hamantaschen, RSVP requested.
430 DeMott Ave., Rockville Centre
Sunday, March 20, Noon – 2 p.m.
Hamantaschen Family Bake-Off
Learn how to make hamantaschen and pick from a wide array of fillings to make your own unique creation.
Chabad of Hewlett, 44 Everit Ave, Hewlett
Sunday, March 20, 2 – 3 p.m.
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Manhattan
Shababa Kids in the Kitchen: Purim on a Plate
Make your own hamantaschen and groggers, and sing Purim songs. For kids ages 3 -5 and their favorite grown-up, limited space available, RSVP required.
92 St Y, 1395 Lexington Ave @ 92nd St, Upper East Side
Friday, March 11, 1- 2:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Project Purim Carnival and Spiel
Take in the original Purim spiel, “Queen Esther for a Day,” and then have fun at the carnival. Light lunch included with ticket purchase.
Citigroup, 388 Greenwich Street, Downtown
Sunday, March 13, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Sutton Place Synagogue Purim Carnival
Come in costume, admission price includes lunch, carnival games, prizes, face painting, crafts, and inflatable.
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st, Upper East Side
Sunday, March 13, 11:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m.
92Y Purim Carnival: An Upside Down Jamboree
Music, dancing, crafts, hamantaschen, and all sorts of Purim fun.
92Y, 1395 Lexington Ave, Upper East Side
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Town & Village Synagogue Purim Carnival
Make your own hamantaschen, face painting, moon bounce, carnival games, and crafts.
Town & Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th Street, Downtown
Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ansche Chesed Purim Carnival
Gym time, games, activities, and a clown show
Ansche Chesed, 251 W 100th St.
Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Upper West Side
Purim Costume Craziness with Joanie Leeds
Boogie along to a Joanie Leeds concert, march in a costume parade, shake groggers, and enjoy a mini-museum tour after the show, for families with children ages 3 – 7, Click here to buy tickets..
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, Downtown
Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m.
Purim Spiel Return of the JedChai
Temple Shaaray Tefila’s annual Purim spiel full of music, fun, and laughter.
Temple Shaaray Tefila, 250 East 79th Street, Upper East Side
Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
Early Childhood Purim Program
Kids ages 5 and under are invited for pizza, crafts, games, and a clown show.
Town & Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th Street, Downtown
Wednesday, March 23, 6 – 7 p.m.
Purim Carnival, Costume Party, Play and More!
Carnival games, karaoke, pizza, and cotton candy, followed by megillah reading and a Purim spiel.
West End Synagogue, 190 Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side
Wednesday, March 23, 5 p.m.
Megillah Reading & Purim Spiel
Megillah reading followed by a Purim spiel and party.
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st, Upper East Side
Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Family Megillah Readings @ Congregation Habonim
Tot megillah reading for ages 4 and under, followed by a family megillah reading for ages 4 and up, including entertainment.
Congregation HaBonim, 103 West End Avenue, Upper West Side
Wednesday, March 23, 5 – 9 p.m.
Fort Tryon Jewish Center Family Purim Celebration
Families with kids ages 0 – 2nd grade are invited for crafts, songs, and an interactive puppet show along with a light dinner.
Social Hall of Hebrew Tabernacle Congregation, 551 Fort Washington Avenue, Washington Heights
Wednesday, March 23, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
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Queens
PJ Library Purim Celebration
PJ Library story time, craft project, and pizza lunch, RSVP required.
Hollis Hills Jewish Center, 210-10 Union Turnpike, Flushing
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Central Queens Y Purim Carnival
Crafts, carnival games, moon bounce, and goody bags for every child.
Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills
Sunday, March 20, 1 -3:30 p.m.
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Westchester
Purim Program for Kids in K & Pre-K
Drop the kids off for a free, fun, and educational Purim program with music, snacks, and crafts. Meet up with them afterwards for some Purim carnival fun, RSVP requested.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Avenue East, Rye
Sunday, March 13, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Young Families Purim Celebration
Celebrate Purim through stories, songs, snacks, and crafts along with a brief Shabbat morning service. Parents get to sip mimosas (non-alcoholic option available) while the kids make noise with their groggers. For ages 6 mos. – 2nd grade, free, RSVP requested.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Avenue East, Rye
Saturday, March 18, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Beth El Synagogue Center Purim Carnival
Tropical-themed Purim carnival, admissions bracelets needed for ages 2 – 12.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Shir La La Concert & Purim Carnival
Dance and sing along with award-winning Jewish kids’ music entertainer, Shira Kline, followed by a Purim carnival. For kids in pre-K through 4th grade and their favorite grown-ups, free.
Temple Beth Abraham, 25 Leroy Avenue, Tarrytown
Sunday, March 20, 10 -11 a.m.
Purim Experience for Kids
Come in costume for a pizza dinner followed by an exciting program with Dreamcoat Experience and a PJ Library story time. Program to be followed by megillah reading and Purim spiel.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle
Wednesday, March 23, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
