Discovering Gaziantep with Kids: A Delightful Family Getaway

While planning our food-focused trip to Gaziantep, we briefly debated leaving our son behind. But after digging a little deeper, we realized Gaziantep has way more to offer than just its legendary cuisine. From interactive museums to lush parks, from the Science Center to the Planetarium, there are plenty of fun and educational activities for kids. Needless to say, we brought him along — and we’re so glad we did! We had an amazing time as a family.

Gaziantep is a fantastic destination for a short family trip, especially in autumn when the weather starts cooling down in the north. The city still enjoys warm, sunny days, perfect for outdoor fun. Children are mesmerized by the rhythmic hammering in the copper bazaar, laughing in wide open parks, or devouring local delicacies. Contrary to popular belief, feeding picky eaters in Gaziantep isn’t difficult at all. While spicy food is common, there are plenty of kid-friendly options like mild minced meat kebabs, içli köfte, buttery katmer, and hearty yuvalama soup.

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Exploring the City: What to Do with Kids in Gaziantep

We spent our time strolling through Gaziantep’s bustling bazaars, ancient caravanserais, and intriguing museums — all with our son in tow. Beyond our own interests, we made sure to explore spots that would capture his attention too. Since we had recently visited a zoo, we skipped the famous Gaziantep Zoo (the largest in Europe!). But once we heard about the Planetarium and Science Center, we couldn’t pass them up.

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Gaziantep Toy Museum

Located in a beautifully restored traditional home in Bey Mahallesi and curated under the guidance of Sunay Akın, the Gaziantep Toy Museum is like stepping into a charming storybook. The fun starts even before you enter: whimsical statues of children playing hide and seek and flying on magic carpets line the narrow stone streets.

Inside, the museum is both nostalgic and educational. We were greeted by colorful workshops and hands-on exhibits, and to our surprise, admission was completely free! Spread over three floors, the museum showcases over a century of toys, from Japanese tin toys to dollhouses, fire trucks, and even vintage space shuttles. It’s a joy for both kids and nostalgic adults.

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Masal Park: A Fairytale Playground

After the museum, we hopped on a tram to the magical Masal Park — a massive, themed park that proves some cities still prioritize public spaces for kids over endless shopping malls. In the park’s fairy tale castle, our son met Shrek, Hansel & Gretel, Smurf Papa, and even rode Nasreddin Hoca’s donkey.

Just as we were about to explore a tower, he spotted the playground and took off! Unlike your average park, this one was full of rope structures, climbing nets, and creative play spaces. The kids burned off tons of energy while soaking in the sunshine.

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Gaziantep Planetarium & Science Center

Next door to Masal Park is Gaziantep’s impressive Planetarium and Science Center, a municipal initiative aimed at sparking curiosity and love for science in kids. With symbolic entrance fees and no profit motive, it’s a rare gem among Turkish cities.

We arrived just in time for a child-friendly space-themed cartoon screening in the planetarium. Reclining in dome-shaped seats, we watched stars swirl above us on the curved ceiling. Afterward, we explored the interactive Science Center, where kids learn by doing: powering lights with pedals, playing music with levers, flying model planes with solar panels, and investigating magnetic fields, gravity, and electric circuits. It’s hands-on STEM learning at its finest.

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A Space Suit, a Robot Show, and Endless Fun

Our son tried nearly every exhibit in the Science Center. He listened to a robot theater show, explored the galaxy, and even took a souvenir photo in a space suit. He had an unforgettable day — and so did we!

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A True Child-Friendly City

Gaziantep is Turkey’s only member of the European Network of Child-Friendly Cities — and it shows. With its thoughtful public spaces, engaging attractions, and cultural richness, it’s an excellent option for family travel. Here’s hoping more cities in Turkey follow in its footsteps.

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