Istanbul Toy Museum

The Istanbul Toy Museum was founded on April 23, 2005, by poet and author Sunay Akın and Belgin Akın. Located in a historical mansion in Göztepe, the museum showcases outstanding examples of toy history from the 1700s to the present day.

The museum’s collection was assembled by Sunay Akın over more than 20 years, with toys sourced from antique shops and auctions in over 40 countries. Through themed exhibitions—such as the space section illustrating the journey to the Moon or the train section depicting the Industrial Revolution—the museum presents world history in an engaging and memorable way. The unique interior design was created by stage designer Ayhan Doğan, making the Istanbul Toy Museum the first of its kind in the world to be founded by a poet and designed by a scenographer.

One of the museum’s most distinctive features is its ability to bring together all generations. It offers a nostalgic and joyful experience where grandparents, parents, and children can explore childhood memories and share stories across eras.

The Istanbul Toy Museum has pioneered toy museology in Turkey, inspiring the establishment of similar institutions in cities such as Antalya, Gaziantep, Ataşehir, Kartal, and Samsun. In 2012, it hosted TOYCO—the first European Meeting of Toy and Children’s Museums—positioning Istanbul as a leading city in this field on a global scale.