For Teachers and Schools
School Visits
The Istanbul Toy Museum invites school groups on a journey through world history told in the language of toys. With guided education programs, workshops and theatre shows, a museum trip becomes a memorable lesson.
Museum Education Program
Learn at school, reinforce at the museum!
Our museum offers special education programs for student groups aged 6–9. In these programs, built around themes that support the school curriculum, students learn by exploring and experiencing through toys, and get the chance to reinforce what they learned in class in the museum setting.
You can visit our museum on a guided tour or online.
Visit plan
A museum visit in three steps
To ensure the trip achieves its purpose, we kindly ask our teachers to make a small preparation.
Before coming
Make a reservation by phone. Briefly discuss the worksheet included in the confirmation email with your students so they know why they are visiting the museum.
In the museum
The trip takes about 1 hour. Afterwards, a documentary suitable for the age group, explaining the history of the toy, is watched. If you wish, you can combine the trip with a workshop or a play.
Back at school
A short lesson in class based on the answers written on the worksheet completes the museum visit.
School Events Guide
Combine your visit with an activity
Our museum education programs, theme by theme, and activities you can add to your trip. All are for school groups only; a reservation is required before your visit.
Vehicles in the Language of Toys
From horse-drawn carriages to racing cars, from the Ford Model T to electric vehicles: we explore the history of transport through the toys on display, and hear the stories of the vehicle toys Lehmann made in the 19th century.
- Duration 45 minutes
- Age group 6–9
- Participants 15–30 people
- Fee Contact us for details
Culture in the Language of Toys
With dollhouses, Hacivat and Karagöz, Fatoş toys and the wooden toys of the Eyüp toymakers, we look at the cultures of different societies and see that cultural diversity is a richness.
- Duration 45 minutes
- Age group 6–9
- Participants 15–30 people
- Fee Contact us for details
Space in the Language of Toys
With astronaut, spacecraft and robot toys, we witness the development of space science, and talk about how toys have shaped technology and science.
- Duration 45 minutes
- Age group 6–9
- Participants 15–30 people
- Fee Contact us for details
Art in the Language of Toys
From the Mona Lisa toy to Leonardo da Vinci, from Beethoven to Mozart: we get to know the music, painting and theatre reflected in toys, and see that civilisation is made possible by art.
- Duration 45 minutes
- Age group 6–9
- Participants 15–30 people
- Fee Contact us for details
Airplane of Dreams
A little pilot who dreams of traveling the world in his plane hands out boarding passes to the students. At the rest stop on each floor, world history is told through toys from different countries; the children become the heroes of the tale.
- Duration 45 minutes
- Age group 6-9 years
- Participants Maximum 25 people
- Fee Contact us for details
Wooden Toy Painting Workshop
Children paint the wooden animal-shaped toys in their own colors, developing their creativity. They take the toy they painted home as a souvenir from the museum.
- Fee Contact us for details
- Days Tuesday and Thursday
Theater Performance
Once Upon a Time: musical solo fairy tale show (ages 3 and up).
The Journey of the Red Nose: mime show about a clown looking for his lost nose (ages 4 and up).
The Bremen Town Musicians: musical children's show (ages 3 and up).
- Fee Contact us for details
- Participation Minimum 35 people
- Note Museum entrance fee is paid separately
For Teachers
Downloadable materials
Files you can share with your students before the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know before you arrive
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, contact us by phone at 0216 359 45 50 or at info@iomuze.com.
What time does the museum open and close?
We are open every weekday except Monday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on weekends from 10:00 to 18:30.
How do I make a reservation?
For school groups, a reservation must be made by calling 0216 359 45 50 before the visit. Once the reservation is completed, a confirmation email containing the date and time will be sent; the school worksheets are also included in this email.
In the event of a date change or cancellation, we kindly ask that you call the museum as soon as possible to inform us.
How far in advance should I make a reservation?
15 days may not always be enough. Especially during the winter season, the museum gets very crowded, so we recommend making your reservation as early as possible.
How long does the museum visit take?
Approximately 1 hour. If the tour is combined with an activity, the duration will be extended depending on the nature of the activity; details will be shared with you before the tour.
How many people can be in each group?
During visiting hours, you may visit in groups of no more than 50 people. As our museum is housed in a former mansion, the exhibition rooms can comfortably accommodate only one group at a time; therefore, it is important to adhere to your appointment time.
Do teachers pay admission?
For preschool groups, teachers enter free of charge. For primary school groups and above, one teacher enters free of charge for every 25 students.
If you would like to visit the museum before coming with the students, you can visit free of charge at any time by specifying the date and time of your appointment.
Is there a guided tour service at the museum?
Guided tours are not available at our museum. Students must remain with their teachers and under their supervision while visiting. For their safety, we kindly ask teachers not to leave the students' side during the visit.
What activities can we participate in outside the museum?
You can combine the Düşler Uçağı trip with a wooden toy painting workshop or a theater performance. Please be sure to specify this when making your reservation. Workshops are charged separately based on the number of participants.
Can food and drinks be consumed in the museum?
Food and drinks may not be consumed inside the museum except for water; outside food and drinks are not permitted. If you mention it during reservation, you can enjoy the toast menu prepared for students at the cafe.
Is photography allowed?
You can take photos without using a flash.
Is there space for parking and a school bus?
There is a parking lot for 15 vehicles and a designated area for school buses in front of the museum. Our staff will assist you at the entrance.
Who can I send my comments and suggestions to?
You can share all your comments and suggestions with our Assistant Director Aslı Nuhoğlu at asli@iomuze.com.
Reservation
We look forward to welcoming your students to the museum
For reservations and information, you can call 0216 359 45 50 or write to info@iomuze.com.