The Turkish are generally known to be friendly towards and accommodation of children. Expats moving to Istanbul with kids are sure to find many fun activities and places to visit, including museums, and science and technology centres. There are also several popular parks, beach resorts and nearby islands that are ideal for family outings.
That said, Istanbul is not extremely accommodating to those with small children. The streets are narrow, traffic is a constant problem, and most sidewalks don’t have ramps for strollers.
Entertainment for kids in Istanbul
Feshane Children’s Entertainment Park
The Feshane Children’s Entertainment Park is located within the International Fair Centre in the Feshane area of Istanbul. It’s an open-air park that's been designed especially for children, with some rides, games and activities to keep them busy. There's also a nearby food market for parents to enjoy.
Ferry trip to the Princes' Islands
A popular day trip to do with kids in Istanbul is to take a ferry trip to one of the Princes' Islands, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. Cars are banned on the islands, so there are lots of open spaces for the children to run freely. Children and parents alike can also enjoy horse and carriage rides, take a walk or hire a bicycle to explore one of the islands.
Kid-friendly museums in Istanbul
The Istanbul Toy museum
The Istanbul Toy Museum, situated in a wooden mansion in the Götzepe neighbourhood on the Asian side of Istanbul, is a popular attraction for both parents and children. The museum was founded by well-known Turkish poet, Sunay Akin. It houses a collection of over 4,000 toys from around the world.
Miniatürk
Miniatürk is an open-air museum with tiny replicas of historic Turkish structures and monuments. The museum is a fun and educational place for a family outing and is open year round. The park also features a life-sized chessboard, labyrinth and a playground for children to enjoy. Miniatürk is situated on the northeastern shore of the Golden Horn.
Rahmi M Koç Museum
Also located on the Golden Horn of Istanbul, the Rahmi M Koç Museum is an industrial museum dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. Kids will have fun climbing into vintage cars and the cockpit of an aeroplane. They can also dabble in real-life scientific experiments.
Istanbul Modern
The Istanbul Modern, situated in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, houses permanent and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The museum has an interactive section where children aged between six and 12 can have fun while learning about art.