One of the best things aboutΒ Healthy Options is that the management hosts a carousel of events throughout the year where employees and their familyΒ can have their share of fun. For Chinese New Year 2016, we were all invited to the “Children’s Party” at KidZaniaΒ in Bonifacio Global City.Β WeΒ were allowed toΒ play together with kids at the Activity Center since it was a privateΒ event for our company. π
What is KidZania?
KidZania is like a giant playground of real life. It offers several ways for children to grow and develop their skills including their social, emotional, and physical abilities. It also encourages children to use their imagination and work withΒ the end goal of earning KidZos, the official currency being used inΒ KidZania, with every job they perform.Β Through role-playing, theyΒ get to understand the world of grown-ups better, as they pretend to be grown-ups themselves.
Our “KidZania Manila” Experience
We checked in at the KidZania International Airport counter where we were issued our boarding passes, the KidZania City map, and a check that’s worth 50 Kidzos. The KidZania “Cebu Pacific” staff also made us wear security bracelets which I guess are used to track the places where we would work. In normal occasions, the adult’s bracelet is linked up to the kid’s bracelet.
After signing up on the registration sheet as required by the “Events team” in our company, we were good to go. I felt like a kid once again upon entering the KidZania City proper. Everything looked beautiful, close to real, and almost magical. π
We met with our colleagues shortly and had delicious snacks prepared by Cafe ViaΒ Mare in a buffet setting.
Our first stop was the bank. We visited BPI KidZaniaΒ to have our checks be encashed to KidZos, so we could have some money to start with.
AtΒ KidZania Manila, every centerΒ has an activity guide posted outside withΒ the following information:
- description of the activity orΒ job to fulfill
- amount of KidZos that can be earned from accomplishing the job
- amount of KidZos to be paid in exchange of goods or experiences
- estimate duration of the job
- capacity or number of people that can enter/work at the same time
- ages thatΒ are allowed to participate in the activity
To have an overall appreciation of the careers and trainings available, we walked through the entire place and explored all centersΒ in KidZania.Β We observed that kids were having fun doing the mundane and boring things adults do in their daily work routine to contribute to the society. It was funny and cool that the act of fire-fighting, working in a supermarket, tax collecting, cleaning, etc. all seemed fun for theΒ little ones! π
At KidZania, peopleΒ sayΒ “kai” to mean “hello” and “zank you” to mean “thank you.” We greeted all establishments where we worked and thanked everyone cheerfully for the lessons and experiences.
The tasks required wereΒ prettyΒ simple and straightforward but innovative. Most of those we experienced lasted from 15 to 25 minutes. In each center, the staffΒ heldΒ a briefing and toldΒ us what to do in a friendly manner. I liked that they used words couched in terms that are easyΒ for kids to understand. Some even asked if we preferred English or Filipino as the medium of instruction and communication.
I thought three to four hours of stay in KidZania may be just rightΒ toΒ supplement a childβs education. We ended up earning over 120 KidZos after working in about six centers.
Pharmacist at Mercury DrugFood Assembly Crew at McDonald's
Tax Collectors at KidZania Tax Office
Firefighters at the Fire Department
Radio DJ Host at ABS-CBN DZMM Radyo Patrol 630
Gasoline Station Attendant at Shell
Nursing Newborns at St. Luke's Medical Center
We feltΒ proud andΒ happy to find two centers ofΒ Healthy OptionsΒ in KidZania Manila. One is where kids can become the ultimate green grocer or the cashier whoΒ mans the cash register and checks out items at Healthy Options Supermarket. Here, they will be trained on how to use the payment terminal with a kid-friendly interface. π Other activities include scanning items, bagging items, and printing receipts of buyers. The other Healthy Options joint is where KidZania guests can purchase products from the store. Yes, it’s a real store inside KidZania!
Healthy Options Supermarket (for role-playing)Healthy Options (actual store)
Right before we left, we went to KidZania Department Store toΒ purchase girly hair clips in exchange of our hard-earned KidZos. π By the way, guests may save their KidZos and spend the money on their nextΒ visit at KidZania.
I’m only at my fifth month now with Healthy Options, and I can clearly see how this company values every member instead of treating each one like “just another worker.” The management takes good care of the employees, and employees feel important and well appreciated by leaders.
Everyone went home with a smile stretching from ear to ear on their face that night, and some even with prizes from the “Star Wars” costume contest.Β Thanks, RSS, for this wonderful opportunity! πΒ It’s been a fun and meaningful celebration indeed! Every angel will cherish this memory for a long time.
with Romy S. Sia, Healthy Options MD, and Angel
KidZania Manila Ticket Prices
| Visitor Type | Ticket Description | Mondays-Thursdays | Fridays β Sundays and National Holidays |
| Children (4-14 years old) | Full price | Php 900.00 | Php 1,100.00 |
| Toddlers (1-3 years old) | 45% off from full price | Php 500.00 | Php 600.00 |
| Babies below 1 year old | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Guardians (15 years old and above) | 30% off from full price | Php 630.00 | Php 770.00 |
For more information about KidZania Manila, visitΒ www.manila.kidzania.com, βLikeβ KidZania Manila on Facebook, or follow KidZania Manila on Twitter @KidZaniaManila and Instagram (KIDZANIAMANILA).
Operating Hours:
- Mondays to Thursdays:Β 9AM – 4PM
- Fridays to Sundays and National Holidays:Β 9AM – 2PM,Β 3PM – 8PM
Admission and Role-play Guidelines:
- Kids below 8 years old must be accompanied by a guardian at all times.
- Guardians may only enter the play city when they accompany a child or children.
- Role-play activities are for kids from 4 to 14 years old.
- Some role-play activities such as Climbing Building, Fitness Lab, and Stadium require athletic shoes and specific attire.
- Kids below 4 are considered toddlers and may only play in toddler designated areas.
- KidZania Manila may require from its Visitors proof of age before they are allowed entry.Β This includes any valid ID, including a government-issued ID, school ID and NSO-certified birth certificate.
- KidZania Manila may refuse entry of visitors who misrepresent their age.
- KidZania Manila disclaims any liability from any injury to Visitors who have misrepresented their age in connection with a particular activity.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
This is wonderful. The place looks like an entire world in itself. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
You’re welcome! If you have a kid or have friends or relatives who have one, make sure to visit KidZania. π The city is beautifully designed and the whole experience of walking through KidZania is visually impressive from beginning to the cobbled streets and incredible shop fronts and signs.
Kidzania seems to be good. Yours is the 2nd review of the place I’m reading in the last couple weeks…
It’s really great. I recommend this place to everyone who wants to have some fun. π
Looks like a very fun place. The kids would really love it here. I should visit Kidzania one of these days.
Yes, you should! If your kid is old enough, visit a few activities then just go and relax somewhere. There are plenty of kiosks and seating areas for parents. KidZania is also very well staffed so you won’t have a problem asking them for directions and information. π
That sounds like a great event! I am so glad you were able to have a wonderful new years celebration.
I’m thankful we have a great management in the company that hosted this unique and grand celebration. π
I really want to visit Kidzania when I go to Manila. It’s a fun place for kids and kids-at-heart. π
Right! There’s a good range of activities available and the staff can really get into them to capture the kids’ interest. π
That looks like so much fun! It’s like one giant, life-sized play set! I love it.
I love that there are souvenirs available you can buy from the shops inside. They serve as a little memory to take home especially if you’ve traveled some distance and this is a real treat!
How fun is this?! I know the kiddos would have a blast but I believe I would a spectacular time as well! What a great place!
Here, kids will have a renewed interest in the value of money. After receiving a virtual salary for jobs performed, kids will definitely be less reluctant to spend those hard earned money on activities that cost virtual money. π
That place sure looks fun and interesting. I like how the “Monopoly” money looks. lol I know for a fact my 2 younger brothers would love this place. I’ll definitely keep this place in mind for the next time I visit Manila.
Great. The ticket prices don’t fall on the “cheap” range but I can bet that your brothers will find happiness here. π
my son would be so excited to have his own money to spend! He loves helping out and these would be great activies.
Your son will enjoy his time at KidZania. π This place is clean, friendly, and fairly well organized.
Wow, what a fun and exciting way to celebrate Chinese New Year. Kidzania sounds amazing.
It’s not a typical celebration of CNY but it was amazing. π Love it!
Happy Chinese New Year!! Looks like you had a great celebration!!
I’ve always wanted to go inside KidZania since the week it opened in the Philippines. I never thought that I would have that opportunity with Healthy Options. It was a fun celebration. π
A giant playground of real life? Oh wow that sure sounds like a whole lot of fun! Kids and kids at heart would enjoy a place like this.
Children aged between 4 and fourteen can try their hand at different professions. The Fire Station is definitely one of the best activities. If you’re with your kid, be sure to line up for that. π
Nice to see sponsors inside the Kidzania for each of the places of work there, like St. Lukes’s for hospitals, Mercury Drug for pharmacies. Glad my kids are already to old for this. The entrance feels expensive.
Haha yes, it’s costly but worth the price to pay. π
sooo much fun stuff there! You always go on the coolest adventures.
I’m thankful for the blessings. π
Kids would love this place for sure. Kidzania offers role play which will help them discover what they actually want to become after growing up.
Be sure to go early so your kids can fully enjoy the day because once you are inside, time passes quickly. π
This is the first time I’m hearing about Kidzania. Thanks for sharing about this place and your experience!
You’re welcome! It’s best to maximize your time while you’re there. Take as many photos and try as many activities in one day. π
I’ve heard so much about this and I think it’s amazing! It’s great to give kids a view of what it’s like when they grow up. That’s a really nice learning experience for them.
Yup, if you also have a KidZania near you, come try it out. Don’t want to see a big crowd? Go on a weekday. π
It’s really nice that there’s kidzania. Kids could learn a lot with their different interphase.
With so many occupations, kids are bound to really have fun and learn at the same time. π
This would be an ideal place to take your child for a fun weekend! My kids are now grown ups, so I guess it would be me and the grandson once he is old enough to appreciate stuff like this. Thanks for letting me know about it!
You’re welcome. π Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to stand in queue and do lots of waiting around.
I have never traveled to Manila before, but it’s one of those places that has always piqued my interest. This place, in particular, sounds like fun!
Yup, there are also many hotels and malls nearby which can catch your fancy. π
This looks fabulous! A truly great way to teach children about the real world. Plus it looks fun!
Yup, it would also be great to hold a child’s birthday party here. π
Kidzania might be for kids, but it is one of those places where I wishes I’ve visited when I was a kid so that I get to be every and anything I want!
Don’t worry. You can still go as long as you have a kid — maybe niece, nephew, or friend’s child. π
I am just curious about the Mercury Drug Store that they have at Kidzania, are they selling real medicines? Or just for role-playing?
Just for role-playing (display) π
This is the first time I’ve heard of this. The UK needs places like these. Its rare
They should expand to more areas so other people can also experience the same without needing to travel far. π
I visited KidZania once on a press trip to Mexico City. It’s an awesome place to take kids! There is so much they can learn and have fun while visiting!
Lovely. π I’m interested how the KidZania in Mexico looks like and how far different or the same it is from the one we have here.
Looks like a great experience for all. We don’t have Kidzania in our area but what a great event this is.
Given a choice, I bet kids would want to return to KidZania in a hearbeat! π