How amazing would it be to have a child-size city where kids are in charge, earning a living and exploring the adult world? Lucky for you such a place is coming soon to London. Introducing KidZania!
Role play is taken to a whole new level at KidZania where children will be able to play, explore and learn about the adult world in over 60 immersive activities in a 75,000 sq ft city. From recreating the inner workings of a bank to sitting behind the controls of a plane at the Aviation Academy, students can work, earn and play in their very own miniature replica of the real world. Seriously, it’s amazing!
Opening 25th June 2015 in Westfield in London, kids between 4 and 14 years can try their hand at a number of careers including pilot, police officer, firefighter, paramedic, lab technician, mechanical engineer, reporter, chocolatier, radio DJ – the list is never ending! Who knows, could this be the solution to the question, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’.
With all this fun, KidZania (roughly translated as ‘Land of Cool Kids’, of course) has squeezed in heaps of educational value. Designed by educationalists and developed to support the National Curriculum, students will acquire real life skills, learn about working and having a career as well as being introduced to the fundamentals of financial literacy. It’s all about providing the best learning experience possible for children, and they do just that.
With their own declaration, set of RightZ and kidZos currency, the experience isn’t far from reality. KidZania has even teamed up with big commercial brands like Cadbury, Bank of England and British Airways in their activities to create a true feeling of authenticity – after all, there can’t be real life role play without real life products.
Each role play experience is created to teach children essential life skills, including financial literacy, team work and independence, all the while having fun! And why wouldn’t they? While they’re paid in kidZos for the activities they undertake, they gain the confidence to challenge themselves and the inspiration to explore the world of opportunities.
On arrival, kids will receive 50 kidZos in cash which they can choose to splash out on goods at the shops, like the salon, supermarket and department store, or save it in the bank and get straight to work. They can even open a personal savings account to deposit and save the money they’ve earned for their work, all complete with their very own debit card and customized name and signature! KidZania has really thought of everything.
Originating in Mexico, KidZania currently operates in 16 locations with London soon to be number 17. With more locations on the agenda, it’s safe to say that the nation of KidZania is one of worldwide success and a unique, educational experience that kids will never forget. It can’t come soon enough!
We’re so excited about integrating this into our selection of visits for Business Studies students, particularly because of its strong focus on the National Curriculum. Also, where else can children be pilots or firefighters? For more information call us on 01332 347 828 or visit our website to see our other Business Studies visits.