KidZania Manila, the first of its kind in the country, gives children the opportunity to know about different professions in a miniature city complete with a hospital, a supreme court, a university and a financial system.
It is one of the fastest growing edutainment (educational entertainment) brands in the world with over 24 locations and is supported by large corporate sponsors such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Honda, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Sony and Unilever.
The company plans to open in five more locations including Singapore, Qatar, the United States, South Korea and India.
The KidZania concept was born in Mexico City and was named La Ciudad de los Niños or “The City of Children” with corporate sponsors funding 55 percent of the initial investment.
In its first year of operation in 1999, KidZania exceeded the expectations of founder Xavier Lopez, after attracting nearly 800,000 visitors.
Today, the flagship location of Santa Fe receives over 10 million visitors.
The company currently has more than 6,500 associates. The key component to the success is the fact that children experience working with real world-brands that teach them the ropes in the business.
Each partnership trains and teaches kids by immersing through a realistic role-play that allows them to know how it feels to work in actuality.
The whole city operates with Kidzos, its own unique currency. With an initial 50 kidzos, each kid can purchase various products and services available at the KidZania souvenir shop. They may also choose to deposit their money in a miniature BPI bank and withdraw it in their next visit.
KidZania Manila offers over 100 role-play activities available for kids with ages four to 14 years.
Children may fulfill their dreams of becoming a pastry chef with Goldilocks, fly a plane or be a cabin crew with Cebu Pacific Airlines and be a vet with Pet Express.
The duration of role-plays in each establishment varies from 15 to 20 minutes. Each profession does not only equip children with newfound knowledge, but also provides an elating experience of receiving their first paycheck.
KidZania also makes sure that children recognize the importance of pursuing a higher education not only to have an upgrade in their wages but to also open doors to more opportunities.
While their kids are busy working for the future, parents may relax in KidZania’s designated parents’ lounge complete with flat screen televisions, sofas and a café from one of their partners.
Children work in a safe environment with KidZania’s strict security measures. Each child and guardian is required to wear a corresponding radio frequency identification security bracelet. This prevents children from leaving the vicinity without their registered guardian.
KidZania believes that the project will appeal to children as they encourage them do what love to do—to play. They believe playing is “an essential part of a child’s learning and development.”
The only difference is each role-play is empowered through interactive learning and hands-on experience with real facilities. Each of role-play activities was designed by educators and facilitated by trained staff for most favorable learning fusions.
Activities have also been arranged to “complement the Philippine K-12 initiative.” KidZania aims to impart the 21st century skills of teamwork, communication skills, problem solving, critical thinking, and earning and managing money.
Ticket prices vary depending on the age of the kids and day of visit— on weekdays, P900 for children ages 4 to 14, P500 for toddlers (1 to 3 years old), P600 for the parents or guardians. Prices go up on weekends and national holidays—P1,100 for children ages 4 to 14, P600 for toddlers, P770 for parents or guardians. Children below 12 months can enjoy KidZania for free.
KidZania Manila is located at Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
