Eight Age-Appropriate Plans for Children in Ankara.

Ankara is a surprisingly good city for families with children; parks are large, museums allow touching, distances are short and prices reasonable. We have put together eight plans by your child's age and the weather; all are done by public transport or a short taxi.

1. Preschool, sunny day. Gençlik Park. At the Ulus metro exit there is a pool, ducks, the funfair's small rides and tea gardens. Two hours is enough; afterwards watching trains in the great hall of Ankara station is free entertainment.

2. Preschool, hot day. Göksu Park. A pond in Eryaman with floating piers, boats and shade. Metro M1 takes an hour, but the park fills the whole day; bring your picnic basket.

3. Primary school, any weather. Feza Gürsey Science Centre. Physics experiments, a planetarium and weekend workshops in Altınpark for a nominal fee. Afterwards the pondside in the park and the cable car from neighbouring Keçiören Botanical Park.

4. Primary school, rainy day. Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum. Opposite the citadel gate, with vintage cars, toys, steam engines and hands-on exhibits; the courtyard restaurant works for lunch. Closed Mondays.

5. Primary school, dinosaur fans. MTA Natural History Museum. Replica dinosaur skeletons, minerals and an energy park in the garden in Çukurambar; free, with parking. Quiet on weekend afternoons.

6. Middle school, history fans. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the citadel. Hittite reliefs and Çatalhöyük wall paintings hold this age group; then running along the bastions and a souvenir from the Samanpazarı antique dealers. The panoramic battle halls in the Anıtkabir museum suit this age as well.

7. Any age, cycling. Lake Eymir. Children's bikes and tandems are rented at the gate; the 8-km asphalt loop is nearly flat and motor traffic is almost nil. The breakfast places fill at weekends, so go early. EGO bus 190 from Kızılay.

8. Aircraft lovers. The Air Force Museum. Dozens of real aircraft in Etimesgut, some with cockpits you can sit in; under-18s enter free. Taxi from the Etimesgut metro station on M1. Combine with Göksu Park the same day.

A few things beyond sightseeing will help too. Ankara's shopping centres (Armada, Panora, Kentpark) have indoor play areas that save winter days. Patisseries around Kuğulu Park offer children's menus. Craft workshops in Hamamönü run marbling and ceramics sessions for children at weekends.

Transport notes. Not every metro station has a lift, and the Kızılay transfer is tiring with a pushchair. Children under 6 ride EGO buses free. Taxis do not provide child seats.

Relax about food. Beans and rice are always available for children at the Ulus lokantas, and Tunalı's cafes have high chairs. Gözleme and ayran in Hamamönü are the easiest solution. AOÇ ice cream is the reward for a summer afternoon; tell your child so.

For emergencies. Pharmacies are everywhere in the centre and the duty pharmacy list hangs on their doors. Anıtkabir and the big museums have first-aid points.