Families visiting 20 national parks, nature reserves and heritage sites across Israel during Chol Hamoed Sukkot will be able to turn their outing into an interactive mystery game combining physical clues, a WhatsApp chatbot and a time-traveling comedy podcast.
“Mysteries Through Time” sends participants around each site with a riddle map, requiring them to search their surroundings for clues and solve mysteries connected to the people and events associated with the location.
Instead of trying to separate children from their phones during the holiday, the activity uses the smartphone as part of the game. After opening the physical map and scanning a code, participants connect to a WhatsApp chatbot that guides them through the challenges, provides hints when needed and supplies additional information about the site.
No prior historical knowledge is required, according to the organizers. The game is recommended for children aged seven and older and generally takes around an hour and a half.
A single game kit is designed to serve an entire family. Kits cost NIS 35, in addition to the regular admission price at the participating site. Discounts are available for members of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s Matmon program.
The project was developed by the 929 initiative and the Israeli Judaism Directorate, together with the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Council for Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel.
From Masada to Atlit
The 20 locations cover much of the country and range from major archaeological attractions such as Masada and Bet She'an to sites associated with Zionist settlement and immigration.
At Israel Nature and Parks Authority sites, the game will be available at Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Gamla Nature Reserve, Korazim National Park, Zippori National Park, Bet Shearim National Park, Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve, Bet She'an National Park, Yarkon National Park's Tel Afek compound, the Castel National Site, Bet Guvrin National Park, Herodium National Park, Qumran National Park, the En Gedi Antiquities complex, Masada National Park and Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve.
Participating heritage sites include Mitzpe Gvulot, the Minkov citrus heritage site in Rehovot, Kfar Masaryk's “Secret of the Kibbutz,” the Rosh Pina Restoration Site and Atlit Detention Camp.
The activity will operate during each site's regular opening hours.
A mystery for the drive
The project also includes a 20-episode “Mysteries Through Time” podcast, allowing families to begin or continue the experience while driving to or from the sites.
Each episode follows Dor, Uncle Yuval and a talking car capable of traveling through time as they attempt to solve a mystery connected to one of the locations.
The cast includes Lian Ben Yishai, Yuval Segal and Yaniv Polishuk. Episodes include mysteries surrounding the ancient synagogue at Korazim, the revolt at Masada, the citrus industry in Rehovot, the immigrant detainees at Atlit and the ancient community at Qumran.
The podcast can also be heard independently of the game and is available free through the project website and Spotify.
More information, including details on each game and participating site, is available on the Mysteries Through Time website.