FOR FAMILIES
When you think of a city the size of Istanbul, and one that’s so mired deep in history and culture, you might not be thinking “kidfriendly” — but the megacity has plenty for families to do with children of all ages.
Founded in 2005 by Turkish poet and journalist Sunay Akin, the Istanbul Toy Museum is fascinating to adults and children alike. Here you’ll find toys on display dating back 300 years. Kids receive a history lesson from various periods in time, when each toy was used, while adults channel childhood memories. The museum is located in Kadiköy on the Asian side of the city.
You can see all of Turkey in one visit to Miniaturk. This attraction showcases over 600,000 square feet of miniature architectural works of Turkey’s alluring past and present, displaying over 100 miniature replicas of important Turkish buildings in 1:25 scale size. The museum- park, located in Sütlüce- Halic on the northeast shore of the Golden Horn, captures the imagination of adults and children alike.
Also located on the banks of the Golden Horn is the eclectic Rahmi M Koç Museum, dedicated to all age groups. You will walk through the annals of industry, transportation, and communication. Here, you can view the museum’s classic car collection with cars dating back to the 1930s, immerse yourself in submarines, and view curious demonstrations of historic electronics.
The soothing, sauna- like hamamm ritual is not just for adults. Many are childfriendly and provide kids with a unique perspective into Turkish life.