Image from Kidzania Singapore website.
"KAI" is Kidzania's way of saying "HI"!
Kidzania Singapore opened in 2016 and I have always wanted to visit it as it is a kids version of the adult world, how cool?! But of course I can't, because I'm an adult. All adults above 18 needs to have a child with them. Why am I so excited? Because I am a huge fan of miniature stuff, I love to see how people replica the real thing into a smaller version! So my nephews are FINALLY old enough to be able to listen well and do things on their own, aged 6 and 4, so this June holidays, I have decided to bring them there! PLUS, Klook is now offering a June holidays promo, so a child ticket is now $52 instead of $68 with a free pencil case, and adult ticket is $30 instead of $35. How much savings is that already?
It may sound a little pricey, but think about it, it's like a kids version amusement park! Universal Studios Singapore child ticket is already $59, and it's just all about playing! At Kidzania, it's all about learning through activities combined with play, and for kids, it includes lots of food and free gifts! Not that pricey after all right?
TIP #1: Bring along a HUGE bag to put all their free stuff! As well as a file, as some stations give them a certificate instead of a gift upon completion. Also to keep any cash that they have on hand!
The concept about Kidzania is to introduce them to the adult world, with lots of occupation role-play activities that every kid is familiar with such as the bank, police station, fire station, hospital, and so on. Many of these stations are sponsored by real companies such as Mount Elizabeth Hospital, 7-11, AIA Insurance, Lifebouy, Abbott, Esso, and so on. The kids will put on matching activity outfits, replica of the actual uniform before they start the activity. Certain activities earns you kidZos, while some requires payment, just like the real world - we earn to buy things. This helps the kids understand the importance of money and saving well.
For example, be a cashier to earn kidZos, then use the kidZos to buy your favourite items at the department store. This experience will also come in handy for my elder nephew as he will be attending elementary school in 6 months' time, which means he will need to know how to buy food on his own and learn how to count money properly. His kindergarten has already get him starting on this by bringing them to an actual elementary school to experience it and touching on lessons about money. Or to get on to more challenging activities such as the high ropes obstacle, you need to first buy an insurance plan at AIA - Personal Accident Plan, before you can do the activity.
Kidzania is available in lots and lots of countries, starting in Mexico City in 1999, founded by Xavier Lopez Ancona and his fellow Mexican businessmen, originally known as La Ciudad de los Niños, which translates to "City of Children". So without further ado, check out all the details and photos below!
TIP #2: Arrive as early as 10am and maximise the full 8hrs operating hours! There is so much things to do, they won't be able to try everything!
After you have purchased your tickets, the kids will be given each 20 kidZos cash and a Maybank debit card. They can either choose to activate their card first at the bank, which is Maybank, then start on the activities; or get on the activities first using cash, then return to the bank later to deposit into their card. The bank is usually really crowded during the opening hours between 10-11am, and was told that waiting time is about 50mins. However, the queue moved really fast and the kids were done in 10mins! Upon opening a savings account and activating their card, they will receive additional 30 kidZos, so they have 50 free kidZos in total.
#1: Entrance to Kidzania.
#2: You will be greeted with a Qatar Airways Boeing 737 first!
#3: Ticket counter designed to be like an airport check-in counter!
#4: After you are done at the ticket counter, each kid will receive a Maybank debit card and 20 kidZos cash, for 1st time visitors.
TIP #3: Prior to visiting, take a look at the map of Kidzania that is available on their website and plan with your kid what they want to do. This helps save a lot of time trying to figure out where the stations are located. I kind of memorise where most of the stations are located and could easily bring them to where they want to go, so they don't have to wait for a long time in between, yet having enough time to eat and rest.
Kids have to do all activities on their own, parents or guardian are not allowed to accompany their child during the activities, so it forces them to be independent. Though adults are not allowed to be in the activity zones, kids 8 years and below needs to be accompanied with an adult of at least 18 years old to enter kidZania. What about food? Other than hands-on activities, there are also food making activities such as chicken burger making from KFC, pizza making from Pizza Hut, soup making from The Soup Spoon, and so on. For adults, there are multiple eateries like Killiney, KFC, Pizza Hut, The Soup Spoon and a cafe that we can purchase our food from, but of course, we pay real money for ours.
TIP #4: Go queue for Aviation Academy (cabin crew or pilot) first! This is the only activity that requires you to get a queue pass first, before you can do the activity. Return to the station just 5mins before the indicated time on the queue pass, so you can do other activities first!
You know how crowded amusement parks can get and how long you have to wait for your turn? Though we went on a Monday, but it was the June holidays, so it was still a little packed. On average, they did about 1 activity per hour. Each activity itself takes about 20mins, plus having to register each kid's card and putting their outfits on; so the waiting time for each activity is about 30mins. Every kid behaves differently. My nephews were able to wait in line for their turn, meanwhile they will just take a look at the kids doing the activity, rest, eat, and just look around them. There is so much that is going around them, they never get bored!
Activity 1 and 2 - Bank, Leftose Special Event
We arrived at Kidzania about 1015hrs. After queuing up at the ticket counter, then the bank, the kids started their activities around 1040hrs. Right outside the bank at the date that we visited, there was a Leftose event booth. There are 4 activities for them to complete, and they each received a goodie bag - a bottle of cough syrup, a packet of lozenges, some probiotics, and a sheet of cute Leftose-related tattoos.
#5: For first time visitors, kids can choose to activate their debit card at the bank first, or get on the activities first using cash and return later to deposit when the bank is less crowded. The bank is usually crowded only during the opening hours between 10-11am. After activating their card, kids receive additional 30 free kidZos.
#6: The Bank.
#7: On the left of the bank, it's the theatre, where kids can learn to be actors and actresses.
#8: Leftose special event.
#9: They are supposed to find the right medicine I guess.
Acitivity 3 - Petrol Station
While my elder nephew waits in line for his turn, I visited the nearby stations with my 2nd nephew to take some photos and videos. My 2nd nephew is not old enough for the activity. At this station, he will help the drivers add "fuel" to the cars - Esso Synergy Fuel. In order to drive the cars, kids need to first get their eyes checked at the optical shop, then get a driving license at the driving school. There is a minimum requirement of 6yrs old and a height of 120cm. Next to the Petrol Station is the stadium, where kids can play a match of football, or be cheerleaders.
#10: Petrol Station.
Activity: be a pump assistant and help fill up the cars with fuel
Requirements: 4 kids, min 6yrs old, +6 kidZos
Free Gift: Esso suction cup window sign
#11: Kids can be a pump assistant here.
#12: As a pump assistant, they will help add fuel to the cars.
#13: For first time visitors, kids will have to get their eyes checked first at the optical shop, get a driving license at this driving school, before they can start driving the cars!
Activity: complete the driving test and get a driver's license
Requirements: 5 kids, min 6yrs old, min 120cm, -6 kidZos, valid eye test card from Optical Shop
Activity 4 - Chicken Restaurant, Burger Making
Next, they went to KFC for the burger making workshop. Over here, they learnt about food safety and how to make a KFC Colonel's Chicken Burger. This burger cost $4+ on the menu. Right next to the workshop room, is the KFC takeaway store where you can purchase using real money. All the burgers and fried chicken come from the kitchen, so everything served to the kids are fresh. The burger consists of a sesame bun, yummy fried chicken thigh, slice of cheese, lots of fresh lettuce, and mayonnaise.
#14: KFC workshop room.
#15: All the burgers and fried chicken comes fresh straight from the KFC kitchen!
#16: At the burger making workshop, kids learn to make a KFC Colonel's Fillet Burger!
#17: Burger making workshop.
Activity: learn about food hygiene and assemble your yummy burger!
Requirements: 8 kids, min 3yrs old, -10 kidZos
Free Gift: KFC Colonel's Fillet Burger
TIP #5: Keep the kid's hairnet! Quite a number of stations requires the kid to put on a hairnet before they put on their outfit hats for hygiene purposes. Kids receive 1 kidZos every time they reuse their hairnet!
Activity 5 - Fire Station
With the freshly made burgers they made themselves, they are of course really excited to try it! But, I brought them to the fire station and wait in line first, before they can start eating. It is now about 1215hrs, a good time to have their lunch. After finishing their burger and played a little at the jail of the Police Station, which is located next to the Fire Station, it was very soon their turn for the activity! At this station, kids get to ride the fire engine to the the hotel that is on "fire" and help put out the fire! A few months back, there was a small fire at the opposite block and the police, a red rhino, 2 fire engines, and the ambulance came! The kids were so fascinated seeing the firemen in action and breaking into the house to check!
#18: Fire Station.
#19: Taking their firemen pledge.
#20: The kids will board this fire engine later!
#21: Arriving at the hotel that is on "fire"!
#22: The firemen are busy spraying water at the burning hotel, while the policemen help keep the crowd away from the fire.
Activity: the fire is burning the hotel down! Hop on the fire engine and help put out the fire!
Requirements: 8 kids, min 3yrs old, +8 kidZos
#23: Police Station.
Activity: patrol around the city and look out for danger
Requirements: 8 kids, min 3yrs old, +8 kidZos
Activity 6 - Hospital, Operating Theatre
After which, we went to the hospital. Over here, kids can be a paramedic, where they get to ride the ambulance and save the injured; a surgeon where they perform a kidney transplant at the operating theatre; a baby expert learning how to take care of a baby at the nursery; and a radiologist performing a CT Scan. They chose to do the surgery activity! This is one of the activities that I couldn't see what was going on while waiting for them outside the station. So while waiting for them, I went to take a look at the Sleep Science Academy and Radio Station. Sleep science by Simmons teaches the kids how to choose the right pillow and bed for a good rest. At the Radio Station by Kiss 92 FM, kids learn about the high-tech equipment used during a live radio broadcast, and get to arrange their own radio programme.
#24: The hospital! Kids get to board the ambulance if they do the paramedic activity!
#25: The paramedics in action!
#26: Kids ready to be surgeons!
#27: Adults wouldn't be able to see what's going on at the operating theatre, kids get to do a kidney transplant here!
#28: Upon completing any hospital activity, kids get their own hospital staff ID pass.
A&E
Activity: be a paramedic and respond to emergencies, hop on the ambulance and treat the patients in time!
Requirements: 6 kids, min 4yrs old, +8 kidZos
Operating Theatre
Activity: be a surgeon and perform a kidney transplant
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
CT Scan
Activity: be a radiologist and help scan the patient's body and check out what's wrong
Requirements: 4 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
Nursery
Activity: be a baby expert and learn how to take care of babies, massage them, and prepare them for bed
Requirements: 8 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
#29: Simmons sleep science academy.
#30: Over here, kids learn the importance and how to choose the right pillow and bed.
#31: Ready to be radio DJs?
#32: At the Radio Station, kids learn about the high-tech equipment used during a live radio broadcast, and arrange their own radio programme.
Activity: learn about the high tech equipment used for a live radio broadcast, produce your own radio programme, run your own radio segment, and deliver chart topping hit songs
Requirements: 6 kids, min 7yrs old, +10 kidZos
Activity 7 - Convenience Store
We arrived at the 7-11, and this is MY favourite station! Everything displayed on the shelves is just like the actual 7-11, just that for this, the items are either empty packaging, stuffed with paper, or expired. The kids were really lucky for this station as there were no waiting time. Slots for cashier and store assistant were all taken, so they played as customers. They were given a shopping list and a basket, and they just had to find all the items from the list and pass to the cashier! They asked the store assistant for help for some items that they couldn't find.
Nearby this station is the Soup Station and the Traditional BBQ Meat Station (bak kwa)! At the Soup Station by The Soup Spoon, kids will learn how a bowl of healthy soup is made, and they get to enjoy the soup after that! At the bak kwa station by Fragrance, kids get to learn how bak kwa is made, its history, and pretend to charcoal-grill some bak kwa!
#33: The convenience store.
Activity: be a cashier
Requirements: 2 kids, min 7yrs old, +6 kidZos
Activity: be a store assistant and organise products on the shelves
Requirements: 2 kids, min 3yrs old, +6 kidZos
Activity: be a customer and purchase all the right items from your shopping list
Requirements: 6 kids, min 4yrs old
#34: This is my favourite store! Just look at how real this entire set-up is!
#35: Shopping for the required items on their shopping list.
#36: Where is it? Where is it?
#37: Traditional BBQ Meat Station.
#38: Kids learn how bak kwa is made, its history, and "charcoal-grill" some bak kwa!
Activity: learn how bak kwa is prepared and its history, and charcoal-grill some bak kwa
Requirements: 7 kids, min 3yrs old, +8 kidZos
Free Gift: pencil
Activity 8 - Eco-Flooring Design Studio
After which, we went to the 2nd floor for the plane activity. However, all the slots have been taken and we have to return at 1515hrs for the next batch of registration. It is around 1445hrs now. We walked around the 2nd floor to see what else is there. 2nd floor has much lesser stations as not all stations have a mezzanine level, and most of them are less interesting. We walked passed the Pizza Station, where kids get to make a 6" pizza by Pizzahut. Similar to KFC, there is a Pizzahut takeaway store next to the workshop room. They didn't want to do this, so we went to the station next to it by Evorich. Over here, they laid some floor tiles and furnished a kitchen with the given kitchen utensils, pots and pans. This activity was simple, but they enjoyed it for their age. It will probably be really boring for other kids.
#39: Pizza making workshop room.
Activity: be a pizza chef and make a pizza for yourself!
Requirements: 8 kids, min 4yrs old, -10 kidZos
Free Gift: 6" pizza
#40: Evorich eco-flooring design studio.
#41: Over here, kids learn how to lay floor tiles and furnish a kitchen.
Requirements: 5 kids, min 3yrs old, +8 kidZos
Very near to this 2 stations is the Pharmacy Station by Leftose. Over here, kids help to fill up prescriptions and pack medicine. Went back to the Aviation Academy registration booth to get our queue passes, this place is located outside the Kindergarten. Their's was the 1720hrs slot, 2 hours away from the time we got the passes! See how popular this activity is?
#42: Pharmacy Station. Kids learn how to fill up prescriptions and help pack medicine.
Activity: be a pharmacist and help fill prescriptions and pack medicines
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
Free Gift: sticker
Activity 9 - Imaging Academy
We went back down to the first floor to the Imaging Academy. Over here, kids learnt proper camera techniques and they get to use a real Canon camera to take some photos, as a photojournalist. This station was located opposite of KFC. While they wait for their turn, I got my lunch and some snacks for them from KFC. This is also one of their favourite activity! They have always wanted to use or play my camera, which I didn't allow them to do so, and now they got their chance to use a camera! Other than taking photos in the station, the station in-charge also brought them around Kidzania to snap more photos.
Other than being a photojournalist, kids can also be a journalist at the Newspaper Edition, where they write about important events and news happening around them, and produce their own newspaper article!
#43: Imaging Academy.
#44: Kids learn about proper camera techniques and snap some photos using a real Canon camera!
#45: Snap snap..
#46: Snap snap..
Activity: be a photojournalist and learn proper camera techniques, search the city for a picture-perfect shot!
Requirements: 4 kids, min 4yrs old, +6 kidZos
Free Gift: certificate
#47: Other than being a photojournalist, they can also be a journalist at the Newspaper Edition.
#48: Kids get to write about important events and news happening around them, and publish their own newspaper article!
Activity: be a journalist and write about the important events and news happening around the world
Requirements: 8 kids, min 7yrs old, +8 kidZos
Free Gift: the newspaper article created (A3-sized)
Activity 10 - Dental Clinic
With some time left, they went for the Dental Clinic activity, where they will learn about oral hygiene and help perform a dental surgery!
#49: Dental Clinic.
#50: Kids learn about oral hygiene and help perform a dental surgery.
Activity: be a dentist and perform a dental surgery
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
Free Gift: toothpaste or mouthwash
Activity 11 - Aviation Academy
Their queue passes for this activity was at 1720hrs, so they had to be at this station by 1715hrs. However, the dental activity ended a bit late, and we quickly rushed to this station! Luckily, they still allowed the boys in! At this station, kids can choose to be either a cabin crew or a pilot. If the kid chose to be a cabin crew, parents are allowed to follow them in to pretend to be their passenger. Kids will learn about flight safety, make an announcement, and serve their passenger their yummy flight meal. The boys chose pilot, so I had to wait for them outside. As a pilot, they get to fly and land a plane in a stimulator. Check out Jian Hao's Kidzania video to see how the cockpit looks like! They do have exclusive entrance to the restricted areas for adults since they are there to film for Kidzania. Also, every kid is only allowed to be a cabin crew or pilot once per visit, not as shown in the video.
#51: Aviation Academy.
#52: Remember to collect your queue pass first at the kindergarden!
#53: Off to pilot training center!
Activity: be a cabin crew and learn about flight safety, make an announcement, and serve your passengers their yummy flight meal
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +8 kidZos
Activity: be a pilot and get into the cockpit, fly and land the plane safely
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
While waiting for them, went to take a look at other stations that are nearby. Right outside the Aviation Academy is the Ice Cream Factory and Milk Innovation Lab respectively. At the ice cream lab, kids learn how ice cream is being processed and manufactured, and they get a paddle pop ice cream after the activity. At the milk lab by Abbott, kids learn how formula milk is being made. Another station that I want to mention but didn't really pass by it is the Science Lab, where kids learn about probiotics, differentiating good and bad bacteria. They get a Yakut after the activity!
#54: At the ice cream factory, kids learn about the processes of manufacturing ice cream!
#55: Milk Innovation Lab.
#56: At the milk lab, kids learn about formula milk, and the importance of food safety and quality checks.
Milk Lab
Activity: learn how formula milk is made, and the importance of food safety and quality checks
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, +10 kidZos
Free Gift: packet of milk
Science Lab
Activity: learn to differentiate between good and bad bacteria
Requirements: 6 kids, min 6yrs old, +8 kidZos
Free Gift: yakult
Ice Cream Factory
Activity: learn the processes of manufacturing ice cream
Requirements: 6 kids, min 3yrs old, -10 kidZos
Free Gift: paddle pop ice cream
Activity 12 - Department Store
It was almost closing time after they are done with their place activity, as Kidzania closes at 1800hrs. Went back to the bank to check how much they have left with and went to the Department Store after that. With all the kidZos that they have earned, they can choose to keep it for the next visit, or visit the Department Store and buy something they like. They really enjoyed this too as they always wished they had their own money so they could buy whatever they want! According to my nephews, there were bottles of water, lego and some playing cards to choose from. The bottles of water were Disney characters Evian water! They were 2 for 50 kidZos. My elder nephew also got a packet of football player cards, apparently for free according to him.
#57: The department store. The only store where kids can purchase items using their kidZos!
#58: There are Evian water, legos and cards for them!
#59: These cute little Disney characters Evian bottles of water cost 2 for 50 kidZos.
There were 5mins left before they close, brought them around the stations that we have not visited. Went passed the Insurance Station by AIA, the high ropes obstacle called the Mountaineering School, the Courier Service, the Building Climbing, and the Music Academy. At the Courier Service, kids have to push their courier trolley and deliver the package to the stated store according to their map. At the Music Academy, there are many instruments to choose from such as piano, keyboard, guitar, violin, and drums. They can learn how to play these instruments!
#60: Insurance Office.
#61: Kids can purchase insurance plans here, or be a Financial Consultant.
Activity: be a customer and purchase your required insurance plan
Requirements: min 4yrs old, -3 kidZos
Activity: be a financial consultant, roam the streets, approach citizens, match their needs to insurance policies available. The more you sell, the more kidZos you earn!
Requirements: 6 kids, min 7yrs old
#62: Mountaineering School.
Activity: put on your harness and brave through the high ropes obstacle!
Requirements: 5 kids, min 155cm, -10 kidZos
#63: Courier Service.
#64: Over here, kids push their trolleys filled with parcels and deliver them to the correct store as indicated on their map.
Activity: deliver the package to the right store with the given map
Requirements: 8 kids, min 3yrs old, +6 kidZos
#65: Music Academy.
Activity: learn about music, play and rehears a piece!
Requirements: 6 kids, min 4yrs old, +10 kidZos
It has been such an enjoyable, but tiring day! The kids definitely enjoyed themselves a lot! And I'm glad that there's a lot of waiting time in between for them to sit down to rest, and to eat, otherwise they wouldn't enjoy themselves this much! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place!