The following is information I have gathered from expats living here in Ankara. If any of the information has changed or is incorrect, please let me know.
Macera Adasi in KentPark Shopping Center – ESKİŞEHİR YOLU 7.KM KENTPARK AVM 2. KAT NO:75 ÇANKAYA ANKARA, EL:0312 219 94 19 – 20, http://www.maceraadasi.com.tr, http://www.maceraadasiblog.blogspot.com, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Macera-Adas%C4%B1/125674197453331?sk=info
Macera
Ankara Zoo – “It is not very big, but has a fantastic collection of different animals. Plus they have picnic area and childrens’ zoo.” http://www.ankarazoo.gov.tr/, http://m6ttekused.blogspot.com/2010/10/ankara-zoo.html
Deniz Dünyasi in Keciören. The aquarium is Turkey’s second biggest. There are different aquariums with all sorts of fish. They have a small tunnel where fish are swimming above you, display of shells etc. http://www.kecioren.bel.tr/tesis.php?tid=7
Skiing – “In wintertime we have done skiing in Kartalkaya. This has been very enjoyable even if whole family is not skiing. Nature and surroundings are very beautiful and our daughter even enjoyed slegde rides. But for skiers it also is a lovely place- they have baby slopes and teachers etc. . . . For sledding and getting out of the city, I have heard that Elmadag is also nice.”
“We skied Kartalkaya (Dorukaya side ) at Christmas and had a good experience but could find no real ‘baby slope’ for the (4-6 year old) kids to practice on without fear of them hurting themselves….. The baby slope over the road at Grand Kartal needs to be further explored but appeared to end at the road side (visions of kids sliding under tour buses!).”
Playgrounds at shopping malls – “My older daughter hates shopping and at least in Panora and 365 there are playrooms where I can leave her for 1-2 hours and get my stuff done.”
Amusement Park – “Our daughter also enjoyed Luna park that is a part of Gencli Park (Youth Park). It may be an interesting place both for older and younger kids with traditional Luna park attractions.” http://www.guvenlunapark.com/tr/index.php
Luna Park
Playgroup – “For smaller kids (babies) . . . there is a playgroup gathering on Tuesdays at Red Lion Club in British Embassy.”
Baby Gymboree - play and learn, music, sports, etc. http://www.gymboreeturkey.com/
Swimming – one expat wrote “the big,newish Hotel out by the airport has a big outdoor pool with lots of slides that kids adore.” If anyone has more information, please pass it on.
Buyuk college offers good swim classes for kids. There is at least one teacher there who speaks English.
Atılım Garden – Located at Atılım University, the garden contains and indoor restaurant, outdoor gardens for dining, and a swimming pool. Reservations are suggested for dining. I believe the cost of the swimming pool is 30tl per day. http://www.azn.com.tr/?cat=5&lang=en
Atılım Garden
Arts & Crafts – Gojeko Design Studio – design activities – shirts, bags, aprons – 0532-356-1067, 0312-219-5630. www.gojeko.com, www.gojeko.com, mailto:gojeko@gojeko.com
Acting Workshops – David G. at the TAA holds acting workshops for children. Contact the TAA directly, or send an email out to the Ankara Expat Group and I am sure David will get back to you. 312 426 26 48
Music and Dance School – Muzikal Adimlar which is located close to Cepa. “There we have private lessons for musical instruments such as the piano, violin, cello, saxaphone, clarinet, drums, flute, guitar etc. Also we have ballet classes, Latin dance classes, music and dance classes for preschoolers, modern dance classes for 9-13 year olds, yoga and pilates classes for adults. You can have a look at the website www.muzikaladimlar.com. Again it does not have any English information at the moment . . . The lessons are conducted in Turkish, but I am always there to translate and if you wish you can make your own groups for any kind of course and we can completely conduct those lessons in English. kids@edoactive.com , www.edoactive.com for address and how to get to Jale Tezer and info on the Summer Camp and Edo Active Swimming – summer camp and swimming
Art Museum and Café – CerModern – they often have free musical events. http://www.cermodern.org/
Origami class – Origamisan is located next to the Çukurambar/Konya Highway crossing, just next to Dörtel Outlet Shop on the Konya Highway. http://origamisan.com/2011/04/bizimle-calismak-ister-misiniz/
Origami
Science Museum – Feza Gürsey Bilim Merkezi is situated in Altinpark (on the way to the airport). “It is a science museum but the kind where you can do all kinds of tests and experiments related to physics and the human body. Both fun and educational. All instructions and explanations are written in both Turkish and English. I went there a couple of weeks ago with my two children aged 7 and 13 and we all had a very fun day. I highly recommend it.” http://www.fezagurseybilimmerkezi.com/
Martial Arts – Coliseum Martial Arts Centre. They offer classes Wing-tsun, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, Boxing, Pilates (for women). They also have classes for children. Kemer Sok. 18/A G.O.P. – ÇANKAYA, info@coliseumankara.com, http://www.ankarabjj.com/, http://www.coliseumankara.com/anasayfa.htm
Horse Back Riding – Horse Riding Club of the German Embassy. Trainers are also skilled in teaching children and students and the horses are suitable for young riders. The Club is centrally located in the heart of the city, on the premises of the German Embassy, Ataturk Bulvari 114, in Ankara. Please contact the Embassy for further information and to arrange a trial lesson!
Child-friendly Restaurants -
”Adana Sofrasi behind Cetinkaya on the corner of Turan Gunes and Simon Bolivar has/had a playroom last time I was there. Turkish food.” – Liz
“I know that Kukla Kebap, which is a traditional “Iskender Kebap” place, has a children’s room and is quite a child-friendly place. At the weekends, after a certain hour, they have traditional puppet shows (Karagoz & Hacivat type). There is one in Balgat near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the other one is at “Park Caddesi”. I do not think they serve alcoholic drinks though.There is also Uludag Restaurant in Cayyolu, they have a kid’s play area. The food is fine: Turkish food, grills, Uludag Kebap, nice salads etc, you can drink wine and raki, no problem…” – Nil
“Uludağ (kebab) on Çayyolu is has a nice play garden for the children, inside and outside.” – Wendy
Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts – In addition to Turkish Boy and Girl Scout /Guide programs, there are also Boy Scout USA and Girl Scout USA programs in Ankara. These programs are not in competition with each other, but offer slightly different programs of fun (important to youth), leadership, service, and more. For girls ages 5 to 18 and boys ages 6 to 18. Adult volunteers are welcome. If you are interested in more information about the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of America, please contact ankaraboyscouts@yahoo.com ankaragirlscouts@yahoo.com.
Fencing - In case you are interested in learning “historical fencing” (European and Central Asian sword sport), check out www.kuzgunakademi.com (once at the site, you can click over to English,) if you like. Email and telephone contact information: bilgi@kuzgunakademi.com 0532 745 66 72. There are classes for those in age groups 14-18, 19-25, and older than 25.
Thanks Terry,
I have found this information quite useful. I wish there were more outdoor places other than Ahlatlibel and Incek Road.. Instead of opening 100 shopping malls every other year, they should build outdoor fun parks specifically designed for kids! We need more trees, pools, flowers and artificial lakes-rivers.. We have enough concrete monsters surrounding us, and eating our capital!
Hi Nil! I hear you. There certainly are a number of malls around here. There is actually one more that I added to the list – Atilim Garden. It’s a lovely place to take the kids swimming for a day – but a little pricey for several kids. Perhaps they have package deals!
Thank you Terry, It is a great blog. New to town so your blog was quite useful:)
Hi Derya, Thanks for reading my blog. I am glad I can be of some help. Enjoy your stay in Ankara!
Hi Terry,
Thanks for putting this together. As for places to eat as a family with young kids, I might also recommend 2 restaurants (other than Macera Adasi) in Kent Park shopping center; “Timboo Cafe” and new beside it, “Las Chicas” Mexican – both of which have friendly waiting staff, kids menus (something you’d think more restaurants would have!), personal DVD players & a selection of movies for both boys and girls, and a fountain water show outside their balconies set to music.
Other recommondations around town we’ve had success with include “Kukla Kebab” – 2 locations – in Cayoglu and just off Konya Highway before the Eskisehir Highway turnoff, where they have puppet shows, a magician and lollipops, and “Haci Arif Bey” a 2 minute walk from the Hilton Hotel – where there is an attended play room with slide, videos, drawing, etc. There is a tip box for the attendant, who really deserves it!
Would love to hear of more places!
Thanks for the additional info LInda! And thanks for reading my blog!
Hi Terry,
Thanks for the information. Glad to say that we have done most of the places that you have mentioned. Couple of additions:
The Science Museum at the ODTÜ campus is pretty good too. Its open weekdays 9-5 and the first Saturday of every month. We have been taking our son there every few months since he was a year old and he discovers new things that he likes every time.
2. Again in ODTÜ, the METU Sharks accept children from the age of 5 to learn swimming and (hopefully) be a part of the team in the following years. Its a LOT cheaper than taking lessons in any of the health clubs, and just as good I think. Kids from outside METU are also welcome, at a slightly higher price.
3. Childrens theatres both at the Devlet Tiyatro and the private places such as the one in Ankamall. We have enjoyed both places tremendously.
Excellent Sreeparna! I will be sure to add the additional info from everyone’s comments. Thanks for reading the blog!