It is often said that you can't be in two places at once. But when you visit Istanbul, Turkey, you can be on two continents at once. Istanbul (not Constantinople) is a sprawling city, spanning both Asia and Europe. It is both majestic and exotic. You can smell the history—and the delicious cuisine—wafting through the air. The Turkish people are warm and welcoming, and there are so many fun things to do in Istanbul with kids. At restaurants we were met with open arms, with some places offering coloring books, playgrounds, and more to keep the kids entertained.

Here are 35 things to do in Istanbul, Turkey with kids, including the best places to visit, foods to try, and day trips to take. Check out the Mommy Poppins European Travel Guide for more ideas for international travel, as well as our Family Travel Guide for domestic travel tips.

Harry Potter fans, rejoice! A portion of Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia has transformed into Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, a magical walk-through that takes guests along a nighttime woodland trail filled with creatures, characters, and scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Spectacular lighting and sound effects, mist, and interactive elements make visitors feel like they've truly stepped into the Wizarding World.

My family recently had the opportunity to visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Read on for my full review, and check out our review of the Yorktown Heights, New York experience. Be sure to purchase tickets soon: Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is only in town until January 29, 2023, and tickets are selling fast!

New York City and its surrounding suburbs have enough attractions to keep a family busy for a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you should let its magnetic energy prevent you from enjoying one of these upstate New York getaways. The less visited northern and western parts of the state are loaded with fantastic attractions that present a feast of family fun. Whether you're seeking nature, culture, recreation, or a combination of all three, the Empire State won’t disappoint. Check out these nine kid-friendly upstate New York getaways and vacation destinations that will have the whole family saying “I Love New York.”

Find more regional travel ideas in our Weekend Getaways and Day Trip Guide.

Wands at the ready everyone: The forested trails of FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights have transformed into the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. If you dare enter, you'll encounter characters, creatures, and favorite scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Utilizing a magical combination of spectacular lighting and sound effects, this walk-through experience transports visitors to the Wizarding World and even allows guests to conjure a little magic of their own.

Read on for our full review, and be sure to book your tickets to the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience soon, as it's only in town for a limited time!

Live theater is not only entertaining for kids; it also teaches them life skills like empathy and problem-solving. But if you don't live near Broadway or one of the country's many wonderful children's theaters, never fear—many live shows for kids are coming to a theater or arena near you. Most of these shows for kids feature beloved characters from your children's favorite shows and movies, from Disney and Sesame Street friends to the Paw Patrol crew.

Here are 21 live shows for kids that are touring the US through September 2023. Not only are the live versions of these beloved kids' shows more entertaining for the grown-ups, they also help instill a lifelong love of theater in kids. You never know—Cocomelon Live! just might turn your kid into a Hamlet fan down the road!

There's no doubt New York City is one of our favorite Christmas towns and if you've ever wondered where it gets its holiday lights and spectacular decorations, we've got the scoop: American Christmas in Mount Vernon supplies much of NYC's magical Christmas decor and holiday lights. This local business is a veritable Christmas wonderland, with large-scale holiday decorations hanging from the rafters of its 100,000-square-foot workshop. There's so much Christmas cheer here, it's built its own Santa's Village, and we've got some sweet news: American Christmas is opening up its workshop and showroom to visitors, creating a Christmas village walk-through that's a picture-perfect holiday outing.

Read on for a sneak peek into American Christmas, and bookmark our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Activities for all our top picks for holiday happenings, brilliant light displays, and must-do fun.