KidZania theme park lets kids role play life in real world
New theme park at Sentosa lets kids role-play life in real world
After his first visit to KidZania Singapore, Eugene Antonio Deguito, 10, knows what he wants to be when he grows up - an air steward.
KidZania Singapore is a 7,600 sq m (about the size of six Olympic-size pools) mini city that allows childrento experience the real world through role-playing activities such as working, earning a salary and buying things.
The edutainment theme park, which is housed in the new Palawan Kidz City at Sentosa, opened on Tuesday and is the 23rd KidZania and the newest in the world.
The first KidZania opened in Mexico City, Mexico, in 1999. Others have opened in cities such as London, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.
Built like a mini metropolis with paved streets and modern establishments such as a bank, an airport, a police station and a hospital, children - they must be at least four - can role-play different occupations at various activity centres to get a sense of what each job entails.
These include the Aviation Academy, the Police Station, and the Peranakan Museum, which is unique to KidZania Singapore.
"Jobs" available include making bak kwa, fighting a "fire" as a fireman and working as a surgeon.
Each task takes between 20 and 40 minutes to complete. "Zupervisors" are on-site to explain and train the kids.
Wages earned in the form of kidZos - the official currency of KidZania - can be deposited in the bank or spent.
At the Aviation Academy, Eugene got to pretend to be a steward and he served meals to passengers, who were role-played by adults.
"It was really fun. It was my first time giving a safety briefing and I liked it very much," said Eugene, who is from the Philippines.
At the Milk Innovation Lab, children learnt how milk powder is made and got to take home a packet of PediaSure milk powder.
Their tasks included measuring out the ingredients such as calcium and vitamins, before sending the mixture for quality tests and packaging.
Venetia Klass, 11, said the Milk Innovation Lab was her favourite part of the theme park.
RETURN VISIT
"This is my first time here and hopefully, I can come back again soon," she said.
A parent, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Arianne, said KidZania's concept is very educational as children get to try different jobs.
The 36-year-old engineer, who was with her six-year-old daughter, added: "It also allows them to work more with their peers.
"I'm definitely bringing my daughter back here again."
FYI
WHAT:
KidZania Singapore
WHERE:
Palawan Beach, Sentosa
WHEN:
Sundays to Thursdays (10am to 5pm), Fridays and Saturdays (10am to 8pm)
TICKETS:
From $25 to $58, available at www.kidzania.com.sg
Online purchases get a 5 per cent discount.
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