Even though Turks are notorious pushovers for their children, Istanbul isn't really a kid-friendly destination; even the most privileged and well-educated children will get bored trudging around the recesses of ancient Byzantium. Istanbul does have a series of kid-related cultural events, though, including the Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Hasköy Cad. 27; tel. 0212/297-6639; www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english), a hands-on series of exhibitions a la the Smithsonian showcasing the history of human ingenuity in the areas of transportation, industry, and communications. The transparent washing machines, carburetors, decommissioned submarine bridge, trains, and aircraft will definitely push the buttons of any preteen boy (and then some) and are definitely worth a visit. Admission is 8YTL ($7/£3) for adults, 4YTL ($3.50/£1.50) for students, plus an additional $4.50YTL ($3.95/£1.70), 3YTL ($2.60/£1.15) students, for entry to the (formerly free and currently overpriced) submarine exhibit. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
Miniaturk (Imrahor Cad. Sütlüce on the eastern banks of the Golden Horn opposite Eyüp; tel. 0212/222-2882; www.miniaturk.com.tr), which opened in 2003, is an open-air mini-museum sprouting models of Turkey's most-loved monuments reconstructed here at 1/25th of their actual size. The park is open from 9am to 5pm in winter, later in summer. Admission is 10YTL ($8.70/£3.80).
