Ongoing:
Club J at the Valley of the Sun JCC
Provides after-school programming ranging from sports to cooking and crafts to Israeli culture and more for those in K-8. Transportation from nearby schools available. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-634-4949 or [email protected], vosjcc.org.
J Care at the East Valley JCC
Parent drop-off or bus transportation from area schools for grades K-7. Includes homework club, cooking, Israeli culture, dance, sports, gymnastics and more. Early pick-ups from Kyrene schools on Wednesday early dismissals. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Contact Jeff at 480-897-0588 or [email protected], evjcc.org.
J-Care After-School Programat the Tucson JCC
Includes a variety of activities, Homework Hangout program (help from education specialists), arts, sports or teens can hang in the Youth Lounge. Bus transportation from schools available for K-12. Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Contact Scott at 520-299-3000 ext. 192 or [email protected], tucsonjcc.org.
Ongoing Sat-Sun in Dec. and daily Dec. 19-23
Winter Wonderland begins at Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E Via de Ventura, Scottsdale. Kick off the holiday season with their tranquil blue, white and silver decor. 7-foot tall living angels with expansive wings add an ethereal aura to the conservatory from 10am-4pm, while musical groups Nouveau Papillon, the Scottsdale String Quartet and harpist Adrienne Bridgewater fill the air with the serene sounds of the season from 11am-3pm. Included with admission: $19.95 adults, $17.95 ages 13-17, $12.95 ages 3-12, ages 2 and under free. 480-800-3000 or butterflywonderland.com.
Dec. 2
Tot Shabbat at 5:45-8 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. Special Kabbalat Shabbat Service for young families to welcome the Sabbath with stories and songs, followed by kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. $25 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children). Additional adults $10 per person. RSVP to Kim, 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or [email protected].
Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23
Mommy & Me Rock Shabbat at Temple Kol Ami Early Childhood Center, 15030 N 64th St., Scottsdale from 9-10:30 am. Teacher-led class for moms and their children ages infant to 2 years. Moms connect and share experiences while their children learn and grow. Classes are just $5 per class (or $35 for a 10-class pass) for Temple Kol Ami members. Non-members pay $10 per class (or $75 for a 10- class pass). For registration or information contact 480-951-5825 or [email protected].
Dec. 5, 12 & 19
Parent-Tot Class for ages up to 24 months and their parent(s). Participants sign songs, make art projects, read stories, have a snack and share parenting advice. Free. 9-11 am at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. 520-745-5550 ext. 229 or [email protected].
Dec. 6 & 20
Storytime in the Northwest with PJ Library at 10:30 am at the Jewish Federation Northwest, 190 W Magee Road #162, Oro Valley. Storytime featuring PJ Library books followed by snacks. We have guest readers and guitar players, seasonal crafts, outdoor play and more! Meet other Jewish parents, grandparents and caretakers. For newborn through age 5, but all ages and abilities are welcome. 520-505-4161 or [email protected].
Dec. 9
Festive – Youth Hanukkah Shabbat at Or Adam Congregation, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. Call for more information.
480-865-4710 or oradam.com.
Shabbat Rocks! Service & Family Shabbat Dinner at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson from 5:30-8 pm. Shabbat dinner at 5:30 pm of kosher chicken and sides (vegetarian upon request). Then an energetic, musical Shabbat service for the whole family at 6:30 pm, featuring the Avanim Rock Band, followed by dessert oneg. All are welcome; please RSVP for the dinner. Diner is $12/adults, under 13 free. 520-327-4501 or [email protected].
Dec. 10
K’Ton Time at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 10:30-11 am. This fun & lively 20-minute service led by Gabby Erbst includes songs, prayers, stories & games; playground time for kids & schmoozing time for parents; kid-friendly kiddush. Geared to families with kids ages 1 to 6, but every family is welcome! 520-745-5550 or [email protected].
Kid’s Night Out – Summer in December for grades K-5 at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 6-10 pm. Parents, enjoy the night out while the kids enjoy fun activities in the pool and splash pad. $30 non-members, $20 for members; sibling discounts available. 480-634-4949 or [email protected].
Parent’s Night Out at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821 N 79th St. #3, Scottsdale from 6-10 pm. Leave your kids for a fun-filled Saturday evening of gymnastics fun, games and group activities while you go out and have a lively time of your own! For ages 3-12; open to non-members. $24/individual, $58/family. Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or [email protected].
Tween’s Night Out – Bowling at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 6-10 pm. 6th through 8th graders start the evening in The J’s Teen Lounge for Havdalah and mixers, then hop in the vans for an evening of fun bowling. All entry costs are included and a snack is provided upon return to The J by 9:35 pm. $50 non-members, $40 members; sibling discounts available. 480-634-4949 or [email protected].
Dec. 11
Mishpachah (Family) Program at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from noon-2:30 pm. Begins at CAI with pizza & games in the Linda Roy Youth Center. Then we’ll caravan to Handmaker at 1 pm to visit and play games together, and help the residents make holiday cards for their families. Free, RSVP to Nichole Chorny by Dec. 6 at 530-745-5550, ext. 228 or [email protected].
Dec. 16
Shabbat Stay and Play/Shabbat on the Go features singing and blessings in the art gallery, a special lunch discount for participating parents and children and play space fun immediately following. 10 am at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Free. 520-299-3000 ext. 236 or tucsonjcc.org.
Family Shabbat Service & Dinner at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 5:45-8:30 pm. Service begins with a “drum circle” – instruments are supplied, you bring the rhythm! Percussion instruments will be available for all who wish to participate. Then Shabbat dinner, followed by Open Lounge in the Youth Center with games and fun. $25 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children). Additional adults $10 per person. RSVP to Kim, 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or [email protected].
Dec. 18
Hanukkah Family Workshop & Kollel at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson from 9 am-noon. Learning activities, adult education, Maccabiah competition and Hanukkah party with food and games. Free; please RSVP by Dec. 14. 520-745-5550 ext. 227 or [email protected].
Chanukah Super Sunday in the Hallway at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road from 10 am-3 pm. Family-friendly open house with PJ Library story time, games, bounce house and prepare for Chanukah with cookie decoration and dreidel play time. 480-634-4949 or [email protected].
Dec. 19-23
Fit-N-Fun Day Camp at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821 N 79th St. #3, Scottsdale from 9 am-3 pm; extended hours available. Gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, inflatables and more. For ages 3-12. Half- and full-day options. $49-62 daily rate; $199-$256 weekly rate. Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or [email protected].
Dec. 23-Jan. 9
Winter Camp Rimon at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 980 N Alma School Road, Chandler. Field trips, themed activities, sports, art projects, cooking, science and more. 9 am-3:30 pm; extended hours available. Daily and weekly pricing. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org.
Dec. 25
Chanukah Character Breakfast at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road from 10 am-3 pm. Enjoy pancakes and latkes with some of your child’s favorite characters, including Olaf, Minions and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! There’s menorah building, crafts, music and more. $15/person non-members, $11/person members, ages 12 months and under are free. 480-634-4949 or [email protected].
Dec. 27-Jan. 8
Zoppe, an Itlaian Family Circus at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N Arizona Ave., Chandler. One-ring circus that honors the history of Old-World Italian tradition. $18-$40; times vary. 480-782-2680 or chandlercenter.org.
Dec. 28
Hanukkah Party at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. Lighting the hanukkiah, live entertainment, dinner, donut dipping station and chocolate gelt. Children’s activities, crafts and games. 6-8 pm. $13/person ($6.13 with paid reservation through Dec. 16). 520-745-5550 or caiaz.org.
Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Kids Party at Xtreme Gymnastics, 15821 N 79th St. #3, Scottsdale. Leave your kids for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve of gymnastics fun, games and group activities while you go out and have a lively time of your own! For ages 3-12; open to non-members. Choose 7-10:30 pm ($35), 7 pm-1 am ($50) or 7 pm-8:30 am Jan. 1 ($70). Reservations required. 480-596-3543 or [email protected].
