Located way out in Darıca, 45km (30 miles) from the city centre, but worth the trip for its wide range of exotic birds and animals, gardens and playground.

Ballet and jazz classes start at YTL180 for a course.

Facilities for swimming, tennis, basketball, football, volleyball and athletics, with nine-week courses for children in swimming and tennis (YTL295).

Galleria, the first shopping mall in Istanbul, still offers the most entertaining shopping experience for families with kids, thanks to its skating rink. Private lessons are...

Imported educational tools, wooden toys and playground equipment of excellent quality. Prices are high but the range is unique in Turkey.

Organises cooking courses for parents and their children. Cooking activities for kids take place once a month on Saturday or Sunday. Call ahead for the date and reservation....

This famous Italian chain is always crammed with children. Staff are down-to-earth and the atmosphere's casual. It's noisy, but kids love it. The restaurant also offers highchairs.

An absolutely magical attraction, which recreates 105 of Turkey's most famous sights in miniature. The models range from a palm-sized Leander's Tower to a Sultanahmet Mosque...

Activities for children up to six. There are workshops on arts and crafts, drama, experiments and games. Arrangements are flexible: you can join in with your child, or drop him...

This indoor playground has three different rooms - all supervised - and a great outdoor playground, featuring mazes and tube slides. There's also a half- or full-day crèche for...

In summer, tables are laid out in this big hilly garden overlooking the Bosphorus, which also has a play area with swings, slides and a big lawn. The restaurant serves decent...

Burgers, hot dogs and fancy ice-cream desserts. There is a dedicated kids' menu.

The largest selection of toys in the city. It also has kids' clothing, shoes, baby food and nappies.