KidZania has finally reopened! Part theme park, part indoor play centre, this 'kids city' had to close during Covid. But it's back with new brands, new experiences, and we got a sneak peek! Here's our guide to KidZania so you can get the most out of your experience (and earn the most Kidzos!)
We’re spoiled for choice with indoor play centres in Singapore, but everyone’s been talking about the big reopening of the infamous KidZania Singapore. The excruciatingly loooong wait is finally over, and KidZania Singapore is opening on 16 May 2024 (with special ticket prices to boot – read until the end for a huge 50% off promo code!). We snuck in for a sneak peek with our eager junior reporters to see if the new version of KidZania lives up to the hype.
From the moment you spy the nose of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737 poking out from the glass frontage, you know it’s going to be an impressive fit-out. While on the surface, things look much the same as the original version, there are a lot of new brands and experiences on board. But the question remains, is it worth your time and money?
The venue scores a resounding kids’ tick of approval (the smiles and pleads to go again are a good indication.) Ask the parents, however, and you get a slightly less excited response. In the interests of complete disclosure, we’ve drawn up a nifty list of pros and cons. Take a look at what we loved and what we didn’t about KidZania, and we’ll let you be the judge!
Click to read more:
How to get to KidZania Singapore
What is KidZania?
KidZania ticket pricing and opening times
Earning and spending KidZos
PaZZports and the B.KidZanian Programme
Things we loved about KidZania Singapore
Things we didn’t love about KidZania Singapore
Getting to KidZania Singapore
KidZania Singapore is located at 31 Beach View Road, #01-01/02 Sentosa Island, Singapore 098008. You can catch the Sentosa Express from Vivo City to Beach Station, or there is a car and taxi drop off point just out the front. There is also ample car parking at Beach Road Station Carpark.
Pssst…become a Sentosa Islander member for discounts on Island entry and carparking fees.
What is KidZania?
Here’s the low-down. Kids from age four to 14 years old can pick from over 80 role-playing scenarios within this educational facility. Have a chatty child who loves to talk? Head to the Kiss92 sound booth and let them try being a radio dj. Do they want to be a pilot? No kidding: there’s a life-sized 747 there for them to explore, complete with a flight simulator. Save the city as a firefighter or police officer, or be doctor, supermodel or sports star. Love bubble tea or salted egg snacks? Kids can try their hand at creating their own (and eat them afterwards!).
Pssst… Check out the full list of activities and check in with your little one on what they would most like to do – you can’t fit it all in one visit!
KidZania Singapore admission prices and opening times
The pricing system has been updated to be dynamic, and varies according to age group. Babies under one year old enter for free, and prices start at $41. Adults also need to pay for entry, as there is no included adult with a child price. Book online to check the pricing for the day of your visit.
Doors open at 10am and closing time is 6pm daily. KidZania Singapore is closed on Wednesdays.
Pssst… for the best prices, book up to two months in advance to avoid spikes in pricing, and look out for promo codes!
Saving and spending Kidzos
Just like in the real world, children will receive a wage whenever they knock off from work. Coming in the form of KidZos – the official currency of KidZania – kids get to manage their expenses and earnings just like Mum and Dad. Every child receives 50 KidZos on arrival, and the cheapest item you can purchase from the ‘department store’ costs 60 Kidzos (a branded pencil), so the kids need to work hard to save up their KidZos if they want to be rewarded for their efforts!
The most expensive items we found cost 2,500 KidZos, which was a chef toy box and a fashion set. The kids will need multiple visits and a lot of time role playing to save up for this, with most activities only paying around 6 Kidzos.
Keep in mind some of the experiences that cost KidZos, so the kids can decide if they want to save or spend their wages. Here are some of the activities that charge a KidZo fee to join:
- Career discovery centre
- Pilot academy
- Model trainee
- Photography student
- University
- Entrepreneurship camp
A visit to the on-site Kith cafe will cost real money, as will a visit to Jac and Ivy’s Kidz Spa – nail painting costs $15, hair braids are $10. Check the price list on the door for the latest treatments available.
KidZania PaZZports and the B. KidZanian programme
The B-KiZanian CitiZenship Programme is designed to encourage repeat visits and recognises your child’s learning and progress as they experience all of the different activities. To join, you need to purchase your child a ‘PaZZport’ at a real-money cost of $38. By earning unique stamps in their ‘PaZZport’ at each activity they complete, kids can climb the ranks of the programme. The more stamps they have, the more benefits (and discounts) you’ll receive!
There are three levels of the B. KidZanian programme. These are ‘Naturalized CitiZen’, ‘Distinguished CitiZen’ and ‘Honorable CitiZen’. At each level, your child can earn more KidZos per activity (this means less time working to earn enough to spend at the shop!). There are also progressive discounts at the KidZania Shop and Department Store.
Is it worth it? Yes, if you are planning to visit multiple times. The PaZZport is also valid at other KidZania outlets, such as Kuala Lumpur, which is great to keep in mind if you are planning to travel to other KidZanias!
KidZania Singapore: Pros & cons
What we loved about KidZania
1. Role playing and life lessons
The whole concept of kids role-playing in jobs of their dreams in a purpose built mini-city is edutainment at its best. Little ones learn not only great life-skills, but also realise that money doesn’t grow on trees, AND that you have to budget to buy what you want.
2. Unique, fun experiences
There are some awesome jobs on offer – like professional soccer player, photo journalist, fire-fighter, pilot and surgeon. Cuteness is a kid in a white lab coat or firefighter hat.
3. Fostering independence and confidence
Strictly no adults are allowed inside each activity. This was both good and problematic at times (see below). We got a real kick out of watching our kids asserting independence and gaining confidence. The activities are engaging and kept most of the kids entertained for the duration!
4. Comfort built for families
As an indoor theme park, KidZania has air-conditioning. Thumbs up! There is a baby care room with changing tables, a sink and a couch for feeding.
What we didn’t love about KidZania
1. The high costs
It’s expensive for a family, with tickets starting from $41 (babies under one year old are free). Passports cost $38, however you do get rolling discounts and additional KidZo earning capacity when you have this. Still, this is not exactly a weekly drop-in play place. There’s a makeover salon that costs real money, with prices starting from $5 (this is on top of the admission fees, and KidZos are not accepted).
2. Consumerism for kids, and the number of KidZos needed to redeem prizes
With corporate sponsorship as far as the eye can see (CIMB, Shoppee, H&M and Irvins, to name a few), it feels a bit like a branding exercise and like it’s encouraging consumerism (ick!). The experience culminates in the kids spending their hard earned KidZos at the retail shop. Unfortunately, the minimum spend is 60 KidZos, so our little worker went home empty-handed as they had spent their KidZos on the fun activities. We witnessed one nice mum giving away their unused currency to another family so they could afford a little piece of KidZania merchandise.
3. Long queue times
With a capacity of 1,500 the queues can be long (with waiting times sometimes being more 30 minutes). The bank had an almost constant line waiting to change KidZos for a debit card. We couldn’t get near some of the popular activities (no firefighting for us!).
Tip: You must visit each activity when you arrive at KidZania to collect a time slot card, and be back at the activity 10 minutes before your slot for the following activities:
Pilot academy
Fire station
Police station
Snacks factory
Courier packing and delivery
Paramedics
Cookie making
Pizza making
Bubble tea making
To do the venue justice, you’ll need to spend a whole day at KidZania. Three hours only saw our kiddo role-play three activities!
4. The parent-free concept
The ‘parent-free’ concept is problematic for activities without viewing windows (like the aeroplane pilot simulation) as you have to stand outside and wait in case of an early finish (we saw one crying child with no mum in sight). Even when you can see your youngster, you can’t hear what they are being lectured on. Hmmm…
Pssst… Want a Promo Code for an opening special of 50% OFF admission prices? Enter code KZ1605 at check out! Valid for visits until 31 May 2024
Having said that, kids were smiles all ‘round as we headed out the door! Let us know what you think of KidZania Singapore.
KidZania Singapore, 31 Beach View Road, #01-01/02 Sentosa Island, Singapore 098008
