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Taking your family to Israel? Before visiting the Western Wall, travelers of all ages can get a deeper perspective of its history and archaeology by stopping at the model of the Second Temple in 66 C.E. at the Holyland Hotel. They can walk around the model city, created at a scale of 1 to 50 (1/4 inch equals one foot. It's made primarily of the same materials used in the Wall, including Jerusalem stone, wood and copper. Buildings are decorated with marble and gilding.

The Israel Museum offers a youth wing, featuring changing exhibits and hands-on activities. Kids don't need a knowledge of Hebrew to have fun. Puppet shows and children's concerts are frequently scheduled. And outside, in the art garden, a famous Henry Moore sculpture becomes a climbing toy for Israel's indulged youngsters. If you're planning a visit on Shabbat, you can buy tickets in advance, or purchase them that day from a van outside the museum.

Should children visit Yad Vashem or will it be too emotional an experience? In a group of 170 traveling together from Miami to celebrate b'nai mitzvah, most young people were impressed with the children's memorial at Yad Vashem. However, the taped stories of the youngsters who died — stating their ages and names — might be a bit tough for very sensitive types.

Those who are a bit older and more patient will benefit by starting an Old City tour with a visit to the Tower of David Museum, where an animated film and exhibits explain the various periods in Jerusalem's 4,000-year history. A stroll through the archaeological garden provides an opportunity to learn about what all those rocks and ruins mean.

A good opportunity for little ones to let off steam within the city awaits at the Liberty Bell Park near the Radisson Moriah and King David hotels. (It was donated for Philadelphia's Bicentennial by Philadelphia philanthropists.) At the low-key outdoor complex, children can climb on a dragon sculpture, shoot some hoops, play table tennis or be entertained by puppets.

Most young people will relish the opportunity of seeing exotic Arab culture in the Old City, where vendors bake their pastries in open ovens, and some of the residents may be dressed in long robes with kaffiyehs or other headgear. Occasionally, they may witness flocks of sheep being driven through cobbled streets.

Wholesome Israeli folkloric music and dance are performed by costumed entertainers at the Khan Club –often including audience members in the show.

Teens will enjoy a Saturday night visit to Jerusalem's Russian neighborhood, the Nahalat Shevat quarter, where wall-to-wall young people roam the streets from one club to another. The club Cyberspace is extremely popular.

Have a hungry kid? The Radisson Moriah Hotel offers a kids' breakfast buffet featuring the standard cereals, yogurt and fresh fruit, but also halvah and local produce including dates and oranges, all decorated imaginatively.

And don't overlook miniature golf, donkey rides and swimming in hotel pools.

A good source for written information is Barbara Sofer's recently updated "Kids Love Israel — Israel Loves Kids" (Kar-Ben Copies). The newly reorganized "Jewish Travel Guide" (Sepher-Hermon Press) offers sightseeing information plus lists of restaurants — including burger and pizza eateries.

El Al Israel Airlines has inaugurated a "family zone" class on its 747-200s and 747-400s, with special emphasis on children: video programming catering to kids; priority check-ins for families with infants; complimentary kits including diapers, formula and rattles; special children's menus (with advance ordering); children's book and games; and lower fares for youngsters under 12.