KidZania Manila: A City Made for Kids
I know Manila moms are in a happy mood these days, knowing that something exciting and totally worthwhile is about to open for our children’s entertainment and education. Most of us have been buzzing about this place, as we might have noticed the structure slowly going up in BGC or we may have read write ups in the papers or blogs the past months. Finally, the doors of Manila’s newest destination for kids and families, KIDZANIA MANILA is finally opening on August 7 and I will be bold enough to declare that past this date, our kids' childhood will never be the same again!
What exactly is KidZania? In the official release, KidZania Manila is described as a “play city where kids do big things”. I’d personally describe it as a family entertainment center, or even an indoor theme park concept, but this one's totally unique, because instead of exhilarating rides, game booths, visual and auditory spectacles, kids are transported into a fascinating city made just for them. Miniature in scale, from the structures to interiors and fixtures, but featuring more than 40 actual brands or establishments, where they have the opportunity to role-play and take on their dream grown up roles as firemen, pilots, laboratory technicians, medical professionals, and these "jobs" mentioned are just some of the more than 100 roles made available for visitors of KidZania.Located at a newly constructed, 8,000 square meter play space at Park Triangle, Bonifacio Global City, this is KidZania's 20th, with other KidZanias located in 16 other countries in locations like London, Mexico, and Tokyo. KidZania is pretend play taken to the highest level!Upon entering the building, you check in at the KidZania International Airport where you register, pay the entrance fees (see below), map and security wristband.
Each person will be required to wear RFID (radio frequency identification) security bracelet. Each child will be matched with a corresponding adult who will also wear an RFID security bracelet. No child is allowed to leave the facility without being accompanied or picked-up by the registered adult. (from the KidZania Manila website)At B-Kidzanian you can get a KidZania PAZZPORT.
The KidZania PaZZport, where kids get stamped for every activity or work accomplished. This pazzport is optional and has an added fee of P250. With this, the kids can avail of special perks and benefits so if you plan to keep coming back to KidZania this may be worth it.
(sample passport) 
With each visit, kids receive checks for 50 kidZos, the official currency of KidZania.
As kids take on jobs, they earn wages also in the form of KidZos. The more they work, the more they earn, and earned KidZos can be saved in the bank or spent on different products and services available at establishments in KidZania Manila. The city is designed with actual paved streets, even trees and streetlamps. 
This is the central plaza.
There is also transportation. 
The kids can start at school where they learn from demos and lessons
or they can sign up for courses. 
When ready to work, they can go to the Job Info Center where they can create business cards, look for a job or take an assessment test. 
There are so many occupations to choose from and experience. They can choose to be a journalist
or a magazine editor. 
Here they are guided through writing and editing their very own story, layouting and publishing.
They can choose to work at the tv station doing production work on cam, or behind the scenes. 
There are also opportunities in the food industry. 
If they are interested in logistics, they can also experience picking up, weighing and packing packages at LBC. 
They can even get into the beauty industy doing work at this mini beauty salon!
There is a Honda car dealership where they can learn to market or sell an actual vehicle.
or learn to drive at the A1 Driving school (simulation stations are inside the room). Afterwards, you get the license to drive around this track! You may also choose to work at the gas station. 
Kids can explore opportunities in manufacturing. Here they can make their favorite snacks
or cookies, 
One of my favorite stations. Imagine making Cream-O cookies with these miniature machines! or even work in the lab at this mini pharmaceutical facility. 
Lab work!There is St. Luke's, for those interested in the medical profession
where there is even a nursery for babies! 
They can train to be a pilot in this flight school,
or experience getting into farming. 
Here at the Farm house, they can plant, harvest and sell produce 
While I was there, firefighters were in training!
There was even a crime lab ala CSI! 
The KidZania experience teaches kids the value of work, money management including learning to spend and save. They are also given opportunity for a bit of indulgence as they can use their kidZos in the shops and department store.
For the activities, children ages 4-14 years old are allowed to participate. For kids below 4, there are these play areas on the second floor.
I was told that storytelling sessions are held periodically in this playzone. Ballswim! 
Even if I went to the preview alone (save for bumping into my friend, Yuki), I had so much fun but kept thinking the whole time how I can't wait to bring the kids over when they don't have classes!
You can see in my face below how giddy and excited I was to be in this awesome place! 
Multiply that excitement many times over and that's the energy and adrenaline that will be running in our kids' veins once they see all the activities laid out for them here. I can also imagine how these streets will be packed with kids and families when KidZania officially opens on August 7 so it's best to prepare well for your own KidZania adventure!
Here are a few of my tips to help you maximize your KidZania trip: - It's easy to get super excited here so to avoid getting overwhelmed, review the activities I detailed here (or you can also check the list in the KidZania website) before you go with your children. - Looking through the pictures and lists, discuss with your kids what activites they would like to prioritize and make a rough itinerary. Have them choose their top activity choices so you know which ones to visit first upon arrival. - Each experience is designed with specific time durations (15 minutes for some, 20-25 minutes for others) and a specified number of kids that can be accommodated at a time. Since admission is on a "first come, first served" basis, it is best to go to those on your top priority first to scout the waiting times. Expect lines especially if you plan to go on weekends or a few weeks after opening day. - Parents, note that KidZania rules state that kids are expected to queue on their own (not us parents nor yayas). Take this opportunity to teach our kids (and ourselves:) ) patience and discipline. - Allot at least half a day for your KidZania trip, and make sure to bring the kids well-rested and on a full stomach so they have lots of happy energy. Bring a water bottle if you can to keep hydrated. - While KidZania has security systems in place and actually allows kids to enter alone, I think this place is best experienced with you and your child together even if only during the first visit. Seeing and experiencing the activities for ourselves will give us the chance to talk to the kids about the experience and reinforce lessons they picked up along the way. This is the type of family experiences we keep in our memory banks and talk about for days, weeks, even months after. Let's observe closely the activities that put an extra sparkle in our kids' eyes, or that which he/she just can't stop talking about, or how he surprised you with how he took on some tasks and challenges, we get a peek into our kids' passions and motivations. We have many teachable moments to draw from just from this one special day. - An added tip: when you visit KidZania, make sure to do this hand gesture that means "KAI!" or "Hello" 
Kai! Here I am with my friend Justine Tajonera (who now works with the KidZania Marketing team)All of KidZania's staff will make you feel welcome with their smiles and "Kais" (hellos) as soon as you enter its doors.
and that includes the KidZania mascots! They say "experience is the best teacher" and KidZania Manila would give our children a learning experience that will transform their minds, outlook and imagination. They learn not only the rudiments of different occupations and roles, they learn not only about the value of work, but they also learn about themselves, their capabilities and inclinations, giving them self confidence and empowerment they can bring with them as they grow and mature. Right now, I just wish I were 9 years old again. 
Check out KidZania Manila as soon as you can!ADDRESS: Park Triangle, North 11th avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.(same building as the Lego Manila store!)Directions can be found here http://manila.kidzania.com/en-ph/directions/how_to_getParking: There is available paid parking at Park Triangle, or you may also find parking at nearby Market! Market! or along the 30th East or along 11th Ave. corner 32nd Street.OPENS ON August 7, 2015 on soft opening, with limited slots availableTICKET SELLING STARTS on AUGUST 3.SCHEDULE:Open 7 days a weekMonday- Thursday (one shift from 9am to 4pm)Friday – Sunday (2 shifts: first shift 9am to 2pm/ second shift 3 to 8pm)on national holidays (2 shifts: first shift 9am to 2pm/ second shift 3 to 8pm)Ticket prices:FROM AUGUST 7 to OCTOBER 7Mondays-Thursdays Children (4-14 years old)- Php 750.00Toddlers (1-3 years old)- Php 420.00Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height- FREEAdults- Php 420.00Fridays - Sundays (and National Holidays)Children (4-14 years old)- Php 1,000.00Toddlers (1-3 years old)- Php 550.00Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height- FREEAdults- Php 550.00*Adults and visitors ages 15-17 are required to have children with them to be able to enter KidZania. They will only be allowed to enter the activity areas only as a guardian to a child otherwise they will have to stay in the common areas.FROM OCTOBER 8 ONWARDSMondays-ThursdaysChildren (4-14 years old) Php 900.00Toddlers (1-3 years old) Php 500.00Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height FREEAdults Php 500.00Fridays - Sundays (and National Holidays)Children (4-14 years old) Php 1,100.00Toddlers (1-3 years old) Php 600.00Babies/ Kids below two (2) feet in height - FREEAdults Php 600.00For group pricing, please contact tourism@kidzania.com.ph.Party packages are also available. Check packages here (http://manila.kidzania.com/en-ph/birthdays/overview) or email celebrations@kidzania.com.ph.For more information and bookings, visit www.Manila.Kidzania.com.Follow #KidZaniaManila on Instagram and Twitter @KidZaniaManila.