Tel Aviv Launches Free Interactive Financial Literacy City for Kids at Port

A new free attraction called "Poalim Junior City" will open at Tel Aviv Port from August 18 to 27, offering children aged 5 to 13 an interactive experience in financial literacy and responsible consumer behavior. Organized by Bank Hapoalim, the event allows kids to simulate working, earning a salary, and making spending decisions through games, tasks, and a theatrical performance.

Children begin by entering a work zone where they receive an employee card, hat, and apron, then complete age-appropriate jobs such as sorting goods, baking challah, packaging eggs, labeling products, processing online orders, and collecting items. Upon finishing their tasks, they receive a prepaid card loaded with "salary" to use in the next phase.

The shopping area is designed like a supermarket maze with interactive stations teaching budgeting and smart purchasing decisions. Activities include a memory game based on shopping lists, a trivia game called "Smart Shopping?", an AI game exploring future careers, and a challenge to manage a limited budget for mall spending. Kids use their earned money to buy items, learning firsthand the importance of financial choices.

Afterward, families can watch "The Spenders," a play adapted from a book that explores themes of abundance, choices, and consumption. Additional open activities outside the main area include a giant savings bank and a coloring wall, making the event accessible and engaging for the public.

This initiative aims to provide children with practical financial education in a fun, hands-on environment during the summer break, regardless of their banking affiliations.