Globally, Istanbul is a city full of activities for kids, with rather good levels of services and some concepts that will make your friends back in Istanbul … Here, we have listed 10 activities for children in Istanbul.
The Museum of Illusions, new on Istıklal!
In the summer of 2019, a new and very playful museum has set up on Istikklal Avenue in Istanbul. The Museum of Illusions! The concept is not new since there are already about fifteen museums of illusions around the world.
The principle is based on the phenomena of optical illusions. There is therefore both an educational side (on our senses, our perception) but at the same time very fun. Several workshops allow you to take a break for some amazing pictures! It is therefore more than advised to have your smartphone or camera with you and well charged!
The museum of the illusions being relatively small, we made the tour in 1 hour. But the children were really delighted and asked to go back there. It is thus a validated experience! Attention on the other hand, the week-ends and holidays, the museum is quickly crowded (thus noisy, and more difficult for the photos).
Going to the Museum of Illusions in Istanbul
Its location is very convenient, as it is directly on Istikklal Avenue, a stone’s throw from the M2 metro, Sishane exit (5 minutes walk from the Pierre Loti school!).
LEGOLAND, a great park!
The Legoland park is very nice to spend a good half day with the children on the theme of Legos! The proposed attractions are diversified and of quality, for all the family: 4D cinema (several films of 15-20min each), an attraction with laser gun (like Buzz L’Eclair at Disneyland!), lego models of Istanbul and the most famous monuments of the world, thousands of small bricks to build infinitely… Legoland is an amazing activity for children in Istanbul
And parents can wait in the lounge area while the kids have fun!
Getting to Legoland Istanbul
Legoland is located in the Mall Forum Istanbul in Bayrampaşa. It can be reached by M1 metro, Kocatepe exit (about 45min from Taksim).
AQUARIUMS, a great success!
In Istanbul, you have the possibility of visiting 2 very beautiful aquariums, very well arranged and playful! They will make you discover the marine fauna and flora of the 5 continents!
Aquarium Sea Life au Forum Istanbul
SEA LIFE is located in Bayrampaşa in the Mall Forum istanbul. Next to the Legoland park, if you want to couple the two in the same day (or not).
One of the things you’ll see there is a beautiful shark tunnel! For children in Istanbul, it is a great attraction
Going to the Sea Life Aquarium in Istanbul
Its advantage over the Istanbul Akvariyum is that you can reach it directly with the M1 metro, exit Kocatepe.
Istanbul Aquarium in Florya
The ISTANBUL AKVARYUM, is located on the side of the old airport Atartürk, in the Mall Florya from which you will admire the beautiful panorama on the Sea of Marmara, with its cloud of ships waiting for their crossing of the Bosphorus!
Its strong point according to us is the tropical zone which is absolutely superb for children in Istanbul! and the arctic zone with its penguins that we do not have in Sea Life.
Getting to the Florya Istanbul Akvaryum
The weak point of this aquarium is its accessibility by public transport. No subway, no tramway! Plan to go there by car or cab, otherwise by bus…
Madame TUSSAUDS Istanbul, finally very playful for children!
In fact, there is something for all tastes and all ages! And above all, the staging and the props at our disposal allow us to make a lot of funny pictures! In the end my kids loved it and so did I! Long selfies …
The access to the Madame Tussauds Istanbul Wax Museum is very simple as it is located in the middle of Istikklal Avenue. You can get there by metro M2, Taksim station.
MINIATÜRK, an interesting walk… for parents!
Touring Turkey and admiring its most beautiful monuments in 2-3 hours is possible – without the Kiwi card – at Miniatürk Park!
If the weather is nice (but not too hot) the walk is really pleasant and you will take advantage of it to know where to spend your next vacations! On the other hand, don’t be surprised if your charming young heads don’t rave for hours about the architecture of the mosques, bridges, temples, and other palaces…
Getting to Miniatürk
Miniatürk is located at the bottom of the Golden Horn. The access by public transport is not necessarily easy because there is no subway or tramway. But you could go there by Kayık for an unusual experience! Miniaturk may be a perfect activity for children in Istanbul
Koç Museum, certainly the best museum for children
A very nice discovery once again with this Koç Museum located on the banks of the Golden Horn which gathers a vast collection of the famous Koç family.
Discover the many old vehicles: cars, trucks, trains, planes, boats… and submarines! But also a section dedicated to scientific experiments with the giant soap bubble.
Also funny, the transparent industrial machines that let you see the mechanism working (you will finally have the answer to know if the light of the fridge stays on when the door is closed?!!). Koc Museum is an amazing activity for children in Istanbul
Getting to the Koç Museum
The Koç museum can be reached by boat or caïque on the Golden Horn. However, no metro or streetcar.