It’s been quite a while since I have heard the news about KidZania opening here in BGC. I, of course, was stoked since it’s near and you know how moms like us are about traffic and about going to far places with our children. I really wanted to go with my daughter, but I have hesitations of going since she’s only 2.5 years old. The website says that it will be better appreciated by kids from 4 onwards.
Anyway, I still plan to go to KidZania soon and i’ll share with you my reasons later. For those who don’t know what KidZania Manila is, it is basically a kid-sized city built for children that opened at Park Triangle Mall in Bonifacio Global City. It allows kids between the ages of 4 and 14 to get hands-on experience on their dream jobs. Super, right?! I think if I were still of that age in this present time, I would be one of the frequent visitors!
I think the concept of KidZania is a brilliant idea. Here are the reasons why (as an adult / parent) I think (based on what I have read and seen through pictures) you should have your kids try it out:
1. KidZania will teach them about the concept of being a part of a community.
KidZania Manila teaches the concept of being a good citizen. Here, kids can apply for a paZZport to become naturalized citiZens and fully enjoy the benefits of belonging to this great nation. What I like about it is that KidZania teaches that even if they are still young, they can contribute as a part of a group or community.
They can enroll in the B•KidZanian program that has three Citizenship levels. With each visit, KidZanians accumulate stamps that allow them to upgrade their citizenship level and thus unlock privileges, earn more kidZos (the currency in this “world”), and have more fun. They can even get their own PaZZport.
2. KidZania will teach them about going for careers that they like and enjoy.
There are a lot of professions to choose from at KidZania (and I heard that there are over 1000 jobs). Each child will go through an orientation first that will help them identify their strengths and careers that fit them. What I love about it is that each one is encouraged to go and do the thing that they love the most. I hope that we have an assessment like this in real life for adults! haha! Kids get better direction in the jobs that they wish to pursue inside the city after consulting the employment office.
3. KidZania will teach them about Peace and Order.
I am fond of watching shows like How to Get Away with Murder and CSI. But I don’t know if I want to be a Crime Scene Investigator. Haha! But for kids who dream of helping keep the peace and order in the real world when they grow up, KidZania has its own law and order institutions, such as a Court House, a Police Department and a Crime Scene Investigation establishment. They will get to play detectives investigating and solving cases, and participate in trials at the Court House.
4. KidZania will teach them to give value to health.
My daughter wants to become a doctor when she grows up and I know that she would want to be a surgeon or a veterinarian even for a day. In KidZania, they will perform simulated procedures, which will give them a glimpse of what it is like to save lives for a living.
7. KidZania will teach them about earning and saving.
Inside KidZania Manila, kids will learn the value of their hard work. Kids earn kidZos, KidZania’s currency, for every job they perform. Through this, they get an introduction to financial literacy through basic transactions involving their earnings. They can use their kidZos to buy items from stores and avail of the services inside the city. KidZos earned from other KidZania facilities are accepted at KidZania Manila after having them exchanged at the bank. This leads to another fun learning opportunity for kids that entail managing their finances.
On their first visit, kids can open their own personal bank account and will be given their own personalized ATM card which can be used at any of the city’s ATMs to withdraw their kidZos. Kids learn about saving money by apportioning their earned KidZos and enrolling for a savings account that will earn interest.
These are the reasons why I think that we should let our kids try out KidZania. Have you experienced sending your children to KidZania. How was it? For more information, visit manila.kidzania.com.
