Here are 10 incredible Istanbul facts for kids, as well as a fun layered paper craft highlighting the Hagia Sophia and the skyline of Istanbul. Also, look at my post Mini Unit Study: Geography Quest about The Country of Turkey.
You can read the facts or stories about Istanbul or Turkey while your child cuts, colors, and glues together their version of the magnificent skyline.
I also have some additional craft ideas to round out your theme, and a deeper dive into some of the buildings they will see.
The first thing we did was search the internet for the Istanbul skyline and found a couple of beautiful options.
We printed those out and used them as our inspiration for color, texture, and building details.
BOOKS ABOUT TURKEY THE COUNTRY FOR KIDS
First, look at these books about Turkey facts for kids.
11 Books About the Country of Turkey
Add these books to your reading day or to a unit study to learn about the fascinating country of Turkey.
Every chapter is crafted to spark wonder. Children will meet the first people of Anatolia, explore the mysteries of Troy, walk through ancient Greek and Roman cities, witness the rise of the Byzantines, follow the journeys of the Seljuks and the Ottomans, and watch Turkey transform into a modern republic led by inspiring figures like Atatürk. Through t all, young readers learn how courage, kindness, and curiosity shaped an entire region.This book is not just about what happened. It shows kids why history matters and how every moment carries a lesson worth remembering. Packed with rich storytelling, fun facts, and easy-to-understand explanations, it is perfect for curious minds between 7 and 13 who love to explore, ask questions, and discover how the world came to be.
Did you know that Turkey is the only country in the world that exists on two continents, Europe and Asia? The Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul divides the city and the country into two parts, with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia.If this topic interests you and your little one then get ready for some fun and giggles.It is hard to find the time to teach your child about the world around them. Luckily, in 50 Facts About Turkey, we've made it easy. Our book contains a diverse selection of the most interesting facts about Turkey that will provide your child with hours of bonding and exploring.
An introduction to the history, geography, plants and animals, people, economy, cities, transportation, government, holidays and festivals, and culture of Turkey.
This lyrical, whimsical picture book, set in the old city of Istanbul, celebrates kindness and generosity of spirit.Follow one little girl on her busy day through the old city of Istanbul--from the Galata bridge to the Grand Bazaar--as the city opens its arms to her. All along the way, the generous people she meets share many gifts with her: sesame rounds, hot tea, a boat ride, rose candy, pomegranate juice, even a scrub in a Turkish bath! But she doesn't just keep the gifts for herself. At every turn, she finds a way to share what has been given to her and pass it on so others can enjoy it too.
Bring the world a little closer with these multicultural books. An excellent way for students to appreciate and learn cultural diversity in an exciting hands-on format. Each book explores the history, language, holidays, festivals, customs, legends, foods, creative arts, lifestyles, and games of the title country. A creative alternative to student research reports and a time-saver for teachers since the activities and resource material are contained in one book.
Once upon a time in Turkey there lived a funny, little wise man named Nasrettin Hoca. He wore a huge, white turban and a worn-out coat made of patches upon patches. Riding about on his little gray donkey, he liked to help whomever he could.A friend to all, Nasrettin is a popular figure. But when he is suddenly ignored at a friend's banquet, he realizes it is his patchwork coat that is turning people away from him. He leaves the party and returns later, wearing a brand-new coat. Now Nasrettin is warmly welcomed. But instead of eating the delicious foods placed before him, he feeds them to his coat!How Nasrettin Hoca teaches his friends a lesson about appearances is the heart of this hilarious and clever story. With good humor and luminous illustrations inspired by traditional Turkish paintings, Demi brings to life Turkey's most famous folk hero and imparts a timeless tale with a moral that will resonate with readers everywhere.
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul will lead you straight to the best attractions this city has to offer. Explore the must-see Hagia Sophia, take in the beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and don't miss out on the incredible street food.
Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul.
• Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance.
• Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights.
A day in the life of a child in Turkey told from the child’s point of view. I See the Sun in Turkey is one of the books in the multiple award-winning I See the Sun in... series of bi-lingual picture books, each focused on one country and one day in the life of one child with a story told from the child’s perspective. I See the Sun in Turkey provides a unique introduction to the culture, family life and language of Turkey in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to the current culture and circumstances without becoming political. As with the other books in the series, the author has spent a considerable amount of time in Turkey, not merely as a tourist, but immersed in the environment and living with families who have opened their homes and their hearts to her. Includes facts about the country and a glossary for extended learning. Written in English and translated into Turkish.
Nasrudin Hoja was a mullah (teacher) in Turkey. He was a busy man he worked in a vineyard, gave sermons at the mosque, and was sometimes even a judge. He did all of this with a nagging wife, a constant stream of uninvited visitors, and many animals. Although Hoja’s life wasn’t easy, his heart was always light and his observations about life held a witty twist. For instance, when his donkey got lost, his neighbors offered sympathy, but Hoja found the bright side: “Imagine if I were riding the donkey at the time. I’d be lost too!”Though the ten Hoja stories presented by Rina Singh and richly illustrated by Farida Zaman are funny, each one contains such insight into human nature that Sufi teachers use them to illustrate their teachings. Traditional Turkish Hoja stories are much-loved throughout Asia, and Nearly Nonsense brings them to a North American readership sure to enjoy them and, through laughter, to learn from them.
He is in a foreign country, he is alone, and he is just a boy...Abbas Kazerooni is not yet ten, but he’s suddenly forced to leave his parents, his friends―his entire world―and flee Tehran. The Iran-Iraq war is at its bloodiest, and the Ayatollahs who rule Iran have reduced the recruitment age for the army. If Abbas doesn’t escape, it’s almost certain that he will be drafted and die fighting for a regime that has stripped his family of all they have.
On his own in the strange, often frightening city of Istanbul, Abbas grows up fast―with little more than his wits to guide him. He must conquer difficult things: how to live on his own, how to navigate a foreign city and culture when he doesn’t speak the language, and, most importantly, how to judge who is a friend and who is an enemy. Facing the unexpected as well as the everyday challenges of life on his own, Abbas walks a tightrope of survival―yearning to please the demanding father he has left behind, yet relishing his new found independence.
Right away, Elena discovers how amazing Istanbul is! The Galata Tower, bazaar shopping, and meat roasting… There are exciting landmarks and delicious treats around every corner. If she gets confused, fact-checking guru Rosa is there to provide insight and guidance. You can’t find a better world-traveling team!
Now, let’s get into some of those facts about this beautiful city.
FASCINATING ISTANBUL FACTS
- Istanbul sits on two continents- Europe and Asia.
- Istanbul is in the country of Turkey.
- Long ago, it was called Byzantium and later Constantinople.
- It was once the capital of two powerful empires: the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
- A famous waterway called the Bosphorus Strait runs through the city and separates Europe from Asia.
- One of the most famous buildings is the Hagia Sophia, which has been a church, a mosque, and now a museum/mosque. It is over 1,400 years old.
- The Hagia Sophia has hidden Christian mosaics that were covered for hundreds of years when it became a mosque, and later uncovered, so today, it’s one of the only places in the world where you can see Christian and Islamic art in the same building
- Another beautiful building is the Blue Mosque, known for its six tall towers called minarets.
- Istanbul is full of markets, including the Grand Bazaar, where people have shopped for hundreds of years.
- The city has over 15 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world.
Then, look at these fun facts about Istanbul’s skyline and The Hagia Sophia.
Observing The Istanbul Skyline
One thing I noticed while observing the skyline is that flat roofs in Istanbul are very common, and there are a few simple reasons:
Weather- Istanbul doesn’t get a lot of heavy snow most years, so steep roofs aren’t as necessary as in colder places.
Extra Space- Flat roofs act like an extra room! Families sometimes use them to: dry clothes, sit and relax, grow plants
Building Style- This style comes from older Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, where flat roofs were practical and easy to build.
The next thing that I noticed was that throughout the city, there were many domes. The domes are one of the most beautiful and recognizable parts of Istanbul’s skyline, and again there are several reasons.
Religious Design- Many domes are on mosques. In Islamic architecture, domes help create a large, open prayer space inside.
Symbolism- Domes often represent the sky or heaven, making them special for worship.Engineering Strength- Domes are strong and can cover big spaces without lots of columns
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HAGIA SOPHIA
Hagia Sophia (pronounced AH-ya SO-fee-ah) means “Holy Wisdom.” It is a massive, beautiful building in Istanbul known for its huge dome, colorful mosaics, and long history.
Hagia Sophia has changed roles several times:
Church (537 AD): It was first built as a Christian church by Emperor Justinian I of the Byzantine Empire.
Mosque (1453): When the Ottomans took over the city, it became a mosque. They added minarets (tall towers) and Islamic decorations.
Museum (1935): It was later turned into a museum so people from all over the world could visit.
Mosque Again (2020): Today, it is once again used as a mosque.
For nearly 1,000 years, it was the largest dome in the world. The design was so impressive that it inspired other buildings, including the Blue Mosque.
Inside, you can see a mix of Christian and Islamic art:
Mosaics: Tiny pieces of glass and stone form pictures..
Calligraphy: Large round panels display beautiful Arabic writing with names important in Islam.
Marble Columns: Some were brought from ancient temples.
Next, look at these hands-on crafts about Istanbul and the country of Turkey.
MORE ISTANBUL AND TURKEY CRAFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
While you are taking a virtual tour of Turkey try out some of these other cool activities
- Mini Unit Study Of Turkey For Kids | Free Country Report
- How To Craft A Fez Hat & Books About Turkey The Country
- Turkish Blue Mosque Kids Craft – In The Playroom
- Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus
- Gallery Glass Persian Suncatcher {Tutorial} by A Crafty Arab
Finally, look at how to make this fun layered art project.
SIMPLE LAYERED ART CRAFT
You will need:
- Construction paper
- Colored pencils/crayons
- Markers
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Double-sided mounting tape
Start with a blue piece of construction paper for the sky in the background.
Tear pieces of white paper for clouds and glue down into place on the top half.
Make a simple drawing of the Hagia Sophia and cut it out, including the minarets (tall skinny towers).
Add some color and detail.
Cut various squares and rectangles for buildings from different colors, leaving the roofs mostly flat.
Draw roofs, windows, and other details.
Cut out a few domed buildings.
Glue the Hagia Sophia down onto the paper in the back.
Layer your buildings on and around it, but don’t glue them down yet. Once you are happy with your design, remove all but 3 or 4 buildings.
Add a couple of pieces of mounting tape or small squares of cardboard to the back to raise them off the page and make it more dimensional.
Gather 3 or 4 more buildings and place 2 layers of mounting tape on the back and stick into place, moving down the page to cover more space.
Repeat with the last layer, this time adding 3 layers of mounting tape so that the buildings closest to the page seem to pop off the page.
Finally, cut some small bunches of green to give your city some natural life and tuck them in and around buildings.
