Baby goes to Kidzania

We were recently invited to take Baby to Kidzania. I had heard of it before, as my friend Katy had taken her girls. I had thought they were going on holiday from the airport pictures!

For those of you who have never heard of Kidzania before I will try to explain the concept. However, it’s totally amazing and a bit bonkers, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it justice with my words.

What is Kidzania?

Kidzania is a 75,000 sq.ft. child-size city in Westfield London, where kids can have an experience totally unlike anything else I have ever seen.

Kids are able to try more than sixty real life role-play activities across the city. They can experience working in the bank, shop, as a doctor, delivery person, tour guide, actor, as a police officer and many more. Each experience is created to teach kids essential life skills such as independence, team-work, financial literacy and boosts their confidence.

Kidzania focuses on 4-14 year olds, however for younger children there is dedicated Early Years area. This includes three main activities: Science Lab, RightZKeepers Residence and the Kindergarten. As well as a bus tour of the city and the opportunity to shop in the K-Mart.

Baby was so excited as soon as she saw the ticket desk in Westfields shopping centre. Then the plane bursting through the wall heightened the excitement even more. After checking in and being given our electronic bracelets, we set off to explore the city! Oh after going through airport security of course!

(The bracelets act as trackers if the children get lost and also scan children into each activity.)

Unfortunately, the first thing Baby wanted to do was be a Fireman, but being on a 0-3 years ticket, so wasn’t allowed to access that activity. We distracted her with a sightseeing trip round the city on the bus.  A couple of passing children were asked to take the role as tour guides and they joined the bus and earned kidZos (the currency of Kidzania).

O.k, so for me this is the mind-blowing part, integrated into the role-play element of KidZania, kids are paid for the activities they undertake with kidZos. All 4-14 year olds will receive 50 kidZos in cash when they arrive at Kidzania. They then have the choice to use kidZos as either cash or as credit on their debit cards to purchase goods and services at KidZania.

Oh and it gets better, there’s a banking system that enables kids to save their kidZos and request a debit card to be able to manage their finances at the bank branch or through the ATMs in the city. Once kids earn 75 KidZos they can open a personal savings account at any time during their visit to deposit and save the money they have earned for their work. When they open a savings account they will be given their own debit card, that will be customised with their name and signature.

I was totally blown away by the level of detail involved in all aspects of Kidzania. They had literally thought of everything, down to kids working as delivery drivers delivering labelled boxes to the right shops.

Baby totally adores shopping and paying for things. So she was super happy when we found out that, although she wasn’t old enough to work in the shop, she could be a shopper.  She queued so patiently until the shop opened again.

As a shopper she was given a list and a tiny trolley (already winning in her book!). She set off round the round to collect her groceries in total glee. The staff were really helpful and lovely with the children.

She was totally in her element and I think would have shopped all day given her way!

She looked so proud when she left the shop, I have rarely seen her as excited, she was literally bouncing!

We went to explore the Early Years area, as she was obviously a little limited in what she could do due to her age. She really enjoys cooking in real life and playing cooking too, so she was at home straight away in the large fully equipped kitchen.

The covered bath in the bathroom area was also a big hit!

She spent some time doing a puzzle with one of the lovely staff members in the Kindergarten area.

Then we popped next door to the science lab, where LOTS of bubbles were blown!

We found a face-painting studio and Baby’s was free due to her age. It wasn’t the best face painting she has ever had, but she was pleased with it anyway.

There were a few photographers walking around. They used the kid’s wristband to link up the pictures they were taking. The only negative I could see was the exceptionally dated way they got the kids to pose for the pictures. Baby looked very confused as she followed his instructions and needless to say I didn’t buy his picture!

Overall, Kidzania is amazing. We were in the unfortunate position that Baby is a bright and physically able 3.5 year old and so I think she would have been fine to do many of the other actives that were only for 4 year old and above. She did have a lovely time though. I couldn’t recommend Kidzania more highly, especially for over 4s.

Disclosure: We received free admittance in return for an honest review.