Evrensel Değerler Çocuk Müzesi

About Evrensel Değerler Çocuk Müzesi

Evrensel Değerler Çocuk Müzesi (Universal Values Children's Museum) is a hands-on museum for children run by Yenimahalle Municipality inside the Nazım Hikmet Kongre ve Sanat Merkezi on Mehmet Akif Ersoy Caddesi. The municipality describes it as Türkiye's first children's museum. According to Turkish Wikipedia it was inaugurated on 23 April 2017, National Sovereignty and Children's Day, and began receiving visitors on 2 May 2017. The museum covers about 1,600 square metres and pairs each themed area with a value: Wildlife and Helpfulness, Environment and Respect, Pinocchio and Honesty, Veterinary Science and Love, and Entomology and Unity. There is also a science centre with a planetarium, an Atatürk corner and an archaeology area. Rather than simply looking at displays, children take part in activities in each area that are meant to support their personal development. Visits are organised around activities: children are divided into groups by age and shown around by appointment, and the museum's announcements also mention individual sessions. Turkish Wikipedia reports that 10,000 children visited in 2022. The municipality gives the museum's phone number as (0312) 332 11 75 for bookings and enquiries, and it is worth calling ahead to check session times before visiting.