The Turkish are generally known to be friendly towards and accommodation of children. Expats moving to Istanbul with kids will surely 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, but improvements are constantly being made.
Entertainment for kids in Istanbul
VIALAND Tema Park
Located in Eyüp, Vialand Theme Park is one of the best days out for children and parents alike. All children can enjoy the amusement park, as it boasts enchanting castles to keep the little ones entertained and thrilling rides for teens. Parents can explore a street called Once Upon A Time in Istanbul and go back to Istanbul in the 80s and 90s while enjoying a meal or Turkish coffee at one of the restaurants.
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 many 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
Situated in a wooden mansion in the Götzepe neighbourhood on the Asian side of Istanbul, the Istanbul Toy Museum is a popular attraction for families. The museum was founded by a 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, a labyrinth and a playground for children to enjoy. Miniatürk is situated on the northeastern shore of the Golden Horn.
Rahmi M Koç Museum
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
Located in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, The Istanbul Modern houses permanent and temporary contemporary art exhibitions. The museum has an interactive section where children aged between six and 12 can have fun while learning about art.