Museums
Although there are many museums in İstanbul, a few stand out in terms of their appeal to children. The Toy Museum in Göztepe features exhibits of popular examples of toys, ranging from the 1700s to the present. In Beyoğlu, kids enjoy visiting Madame Tussauds İstanbul, a branch of the famous wax museum. The nostalgic train at the Rahmi Koç Museum, in the Golden Horn, is a favorite, as are tours of the Golden Horn on a specially built boat from 1873. The Museum also offers workshops for children. At the Chocolate Museum in Esenyurt, kids can sample items made from chocolate. And, as parents, you grew up with his songs and probably listened to them with your children as well: Barış Manço. In Moda, you can discover more about the artist at the Barış Manço Museum, set in his former home. Other İstanbul museums also await you!
Palaces
The stately beauty and magnificence of İstanbul’s palaces appeal to children as well as adults. Even better, many of these palaces feature special facilities for children to learn history in fun and easy ways. At Dolmabahçe Palace, there is a free electronic guidance service designed specifically for kids. Topkapı Palace offers workshops that first teach children about the building, and then show them around the mentioned areas. If you are looking for ways to entertain children in İstanbul, we recommend visits to İstanbul’s palaces!
Amusement parks
In İstanbul, amusement parks are a terrific option for families with children. At the entertainment center in Eyüp, kids can experience the excitement of climbing great heights with one of dozens of the big toys, or enjoy splashing in watery coasters. In Türkiye’s biggest forest adventure park, set in Kemerburgaz, children can be active amid nature and have a memorable day with games such as paintball. Another option for an adventurous day in nature is the cultural center in Ayazağa. Set in the city’s Acıbadem district, the center offers fun educational activities for kids between the ages of 4 and 14. The entertainment center in Bayrampaşa, geared for children between the ages of 3-10, is an exploration into creativity with small pieces. Miniatürk, on the shore of the Golden Horn, is a miniature park, featuring small models of Türkiye’s most famous structures.
The Animal Kingdom
Most children appreciate animals and İstanbul offers many opportunities to see them up close. In a center in Eyüp, there are nearly 400 animals from 100 species. The Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanic Park, on the outskirts of the city, houses nearly 400 animals from 100 species. The Florya neighborhood is home to the İstanbul Aquarium, where visitors can tour a route with exhibits stretching from the Black Sea to the Pacific, consisting of 17 themes and one rainforest, while Sea Life İstanbul, located in the Forum İstanbul Shopping Mall in Bayrampaşa, features 15,000 creatures from more than 500 species. In addition, our animal friends in shelters await you: many of the city’s shelters allow kids to visit and feed the animals.
