10 Activities to Do with Kids in Istanbul on April 23rd

Istanbul is once again full of fun alternatives to help you join in your children’s holiday excitement and give them an unforgettable April 23rd experience. My special suggestions for Flyista readers continue below.

1– SEE ISTANBUL FROM A 360-DEGREE BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Istanbul is literally at your feet—yours and your children's!

Sky View offers a brand-new experience where you can view Istanbul from a 360-degree angle at 200 meters above sea level and feel the thrill on a 30-meter-long glass walkway. Located on the 47th and 48th floors of Göztepe Emaar Square Mall, Sky View is reached via a sparkling elevator ride. Comprising two floors—one open-air and one enclosed in glass—Sky View offers uninterrupted panoramic views from the Galata Bridge to the Golden Horn, and from the Princes’ Islands to the Bosphorus. Walking on the fully transparent 30-meter balcony on the open-air floor offers a unique experience for both you and your kids, making you feel like Istanbul is truly beneath your feet.

2– TAKE AN INTERACTIVE AND MIND-BENDING JOURNEY AT THE MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS

Ready for an adventure that’s bigger, better, and more fascinating than anything you’ve experienced before? With rooms like the Upside Down Room, Vortex Tunnel, Infinity Room, Head on a Plate, and Clone Table, the Museum of Illusions Istanbul offers a playful and interactive journey for kids and adults alike. This museum will challenge your senses and make you question what you believe is real.

There are two branches of the Museum of Illusions in Istanbul. The European-side branch is located on Istiklal Street in Asmalımescit, while the Asian-side branch is inside Göztepe Emaar Square Mall.

3– REACH THE PEAK OF FUN AT TURKEY’S LARGEST TRAMPOLINE PARK

Hupalupa, Turkiye’s most comprehensive family entertainment center, is a great option for families wondering “What should we do on April 23rd?” Located inside Metropol Shopping Mall in Ataşehir on the Asian side of the city, the Hupalupa Kids’ Playground features the largest and most diverse parkour setup in Turkiye.

With giant slides, a driving track, a trampoline park designed especially for children, a foam pool, a boat slide, and a thrill tower, it offers a peak experience in fun. The venue also includes activities like a climbing wall, bowling, balance parkour, bumper cars, and electronic simulators. There's no flat entrance fee; each activity is priced individually.

4– JOIN THE TULIP FESTIVAL IN EMIRGAN PARK

The Istanbul Tulip Festival is being held once again in Emirgan Park from April 1st to 30th. During the festival, millions of tulips bloom in parks, squares, and gardens all across Istanbul. Various artists perform as part of the event, and exhibitions of photography and painting, along with sporting activities, add excitement to the celebrations.

Especially during tulip season, visiting Emirgan Park is one of the most visually stunning activities you can do in Istanbul. You can take beautiful photos with tulips, uniquely decorated trees, and views of the Bosphorus; enjoy a picnic; or have breakfast with a sea view at one of the historic mansions in the park.

5– MEET ANIMALS FROM DIFFERENT CLIMATES AND CONTINENTS AT DARICA ZOO

Serving not only as a zoo but also as a bird sanctuary and botanical garden, Darıca Zoo—also known as Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park—is a wonderful place to visit with children of all ages.

The zoo is home to 350 bird species, 500 plant species, and more than 100 different animal species including penguins, red pandas, a nearly 100-year-old tortoise, monkeys, tigers, jaguars, crocodiles, snakes, kangaroos, horses, and zebras. Some of the most popular residents are Samir the rhino (the first brought to Turkiye), a giraffe couple, a pair of bears, Barış the lion, and the penguins.

6– WALK ACROSS THE BOSPHORUS BRIDGE AT MINIATURK

Miniatürk, a massive open-air museum that displays miniature models of historical landmarks from Turkiye and the former Ottoman territories, is located in the Sütlüce neighborhood of Beyoğlu. Featuring 128 miniature models, Miniatürk allows you to stroll past landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Selimiye Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Galata Tower, the houses of Safranbolu, the Sumela Monastery, the Ottoman waterfront mansions of Amasya, and the ruins of Mount Nemrut.

You can even walk across a mini version of the Bosphorus Bridge and wave to the Beylerbeyi Palace on the other side.

7– RIDE THE ZIPLINE AT FORESTANBUL ADVENTURE PARK

Forestanbul, Turkiye’s largest nature and adventure park located within a forest, promises a day full of excitement and fun. With activities such as high rope courses, a climbing wall, giant swing, and zipline, Forestanbul offers you and your children a chance to break away from the city’s stress and enjoy outdoor fun in harmony with nature. The park is located in the Taşdelen Recreation Area in Çekmeköy.

8– EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS AT KIDZANIA

Imagine a city built entirely for children across a 10,000-square-meter area. At Kidzania, a miniature city where children get to explore the professions they dream of pursuing in the future, they also learn about money, teamwork, and essential life skills—all while having fun.

This educational and entertaining experience allows children to freely visit a wide range of facilities such as a theater, bank, hospital, fire station, police station, secret agent training center, and aviation academy. Kidzania is located inside Akasya Mall on the Asian side of Istanbul.

9– GET UP CLOSE TO THE STARS AT THE WAX MUSEUM

At the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on Istiklal Street, children can learn about historical figures like Atatürk, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, and Mimar Sinan, while playing Mozart’s piano or sitting face-to-face with writer Yaşar Kemal.

From Arda Turan to Hidayet Türkoğlu, Einstein to Leonardo da Vinci, Zeki Müren to Madonna, Justin Bieber to Lady Gaga, MFÖ to Rihanna, and Adile Naşit to Barış Manço—plus many Hollywood stars—children get the chance to see countless famous faces up close and experience the thrill of “touching the stars.”

10– ENJOY UNLIMITED AMUSEMENT AT VIALAND THEME PARK

Known as Turkiye’s very own Disneyland, VIALAND is the country’s first theme park and a massive amusement complex located in Eyüp on the European side of Istanbul. More than just an amusement park, VIALAND includes a shopping mall, restaurants, a cinema, and a bowling alley—making it a full-scale entertainment destination.

The park features over 20 attractions tailored to different age groups. The most thrilling ride is Nefeskesen, a roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 110 km/h. Kids especially love rides like SpongeBob, Little Explorers, Tiny Miners, Palace Swing, Dora and Diego’s Adventures, Crazy River, and Vikings.

There’s also a surprise giveaway at VIALAND! Answer the fun mini quiz in the link I’ll be sharing soon, post your result on social media with the hashtag #flyistailevialand, and you might just win a free entrance ticket to VIALAND! Good luck to everyone—don’t forget, the deadline to participate is May 8.

Gezenti Anne