As the gateway to Türkiye, İstanbul is one of the world’s top travel destinations. Boasting everything from Ottoman grandeur and boutique museums to bustling markets and a delicious street food scene, this city, which used to be known as Constantinople during the Roman era, is an inspiring and beautiful place whose layers reveal themselves on multiple visits. İstanbul also has many kid-friendly attractions, from top museums to parks and playgrounds where they can run riot.
Miniatürk is a museum that brings together the architectural heritage of the civilisations that ruled Anatolia throughout history. It opened to visitors in 2003 and is a unique park where 1/25-scale models of the most important works of Türkiye are exhibited. Miniature models of 137 architectural works, from caravanserais to complexes, mosques, churches and synagogues, and ancient buildings to palaces, showcase the artistry and architecture of Türkiye. Kids of all ages will enjoy visiting this museum.
Address: Örnektepe, İmrahor Cd. Number 7, 34445 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
The İstanbul Akvaryum is Türkiye’s national aquarium. It is home to 17,000 land and sea creatures from 1,500 different species that are housed across 17 different geographical themes ranging from the Black Sea to the Amazon Rainforest. Adults and children will get to know a lot of rare species in the world up close, from poisonous stone fish and lemon sharks to stingrays and gentoo penguins. The facility also runs conservation programs according to international standards set by the World Association of Aquariums and Zoos (WAZA) for endangered species like the sand tiger shark, Nassau grouper, brown grouper, giant guitarfish, eagle ray, fiddler fish, cow-nosed ray, brownspotted catshark, small spotted catfish, stingray, gentoo penguin and sturgeon.
Address: Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. Number 93, 34153 Florya/İstanbul
The İstanbul Toy Museum, which is set in a historical mansion in Kadıköy, welcomes visitors of all ages to the colourful world of toys. With a collection of toys amassed over two decades by poet and writer Sunay Akın from antique shops and auctions across more than 40 countries, this museum is an excellent place for parents and children to spend time together. Its exhibits include famous examples of toy history from the 1700s to the present day, which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about world history in a fun and memorable way. In addition to this, the museum pioneered the establishment of a union of children's and toy museums worldwide, giving İstanbul the title of “the capital of toy museums.”
Address: Göztepe, Dr Zeki Zeren Sk Number 15, 34730 Kadıköy/İstanbul
The Bosphorus Strait divides the city of İstanbul in half, with one half of the city in Asia and the other in Europe. The strait—which in some places is only 500 metres apart—has become a popular trading centre and tourist attraction owing to its dream-like awe. The attraction of hopping on a local ferry at the harbour and reaching another continent in a few minutes never seems to wear off, which makes this one of the top things to do with kids. Generally departing on the hour, the tours vary in duration. On the short tour—about 90 minutes—you can view both sides of İstanbul from the Bosphorus while admiring the sunset. Before starting, snack on fish bread from the boats in the harbour. One of the delights of İstanbul, especially when on one of the many ferry crossings, is watching the dolphins migrating through the Bosphorus. Their smiling playfulness is infectious and magical; people point excitedly at each other whenever they appear.
Gülhane Park was once the outer garden of Topkapı Palace and used only for the royal court. Today, it is a popular and busy city park, ideal for a leisurely weekend picnic. The name Gülhane (“house of roses”) is apt because in spring and summer, more than 80,000 roses bloom here, and thousands of tulips adorn the flower beds. In winter, the park is covered with forget-me-nots. In fact, tulips are native to Türkiye and were taken to northern Europe in the 16th century, when they quickly became very popular. Many cultivated varieties were grown in Türkiye long before they were introduced into European gardens.
At the park, the İstanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam displays scientific instruments used by Islamic scholars between the 9th and 16th centuries. Here, visitors can gain insight into the technologies that were used in relation to subjects such as geometry, optics, measurements, geography, astronomy, physics, chemistry and more, which are depicted through drawings and contemporary art. So, if the kids fancy blowing off a little steam, this is the perfect place to pique their curiosity.
Address: Cankurtaran, Kennedy Cad., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
