Parents Learn as Children Play at KidZania Manila

KidZania Manila is known for being a learning and playing haven for children. This interactive kid-sized city with more than 70 real-life establishments and over 100 role playing activities made sure that kids will be coming back for more of this experience. Does it have something to offer to parents and guardians while the kids explore the city on their own? I just recently got to know that parents can learn while their children play at KidZania Manila.

Play and Learn

While KidZania Manila is open for kids of any age, it is the children ranging from 4-14 years in age who get the most out of the educational entertainment activities. This play city with its own functioning economy becomes the playing and learning space for independence and other valuable life skills. Through these activities, children are encouraged to do everything on their own. They enter each activity area by themselves while parents look on from the outside, taking pictures or just simply marveling in their children’s efforts.

After the initial phase of being unsure as to what to do, children will enjoy exploring the city on their own, finding work and getting paid for it or paying for a product or service with their KidZania money. Parents will realize soon enough that they need not follow their children at every activity and that they can actually use their time for their own learning experience. This is exactly what I did last May 7 when I joined one of the Parent Talks Workshops at the SkyZone Parents’ Lounge.

Parent Talks Workshops at KidZania Manila

If there is anything that can convince me from taking a break in being my children’s personal photographer, it would be a learning activity like the Parent Talks Workshops offered by KidZania Manila. Although nothing can if my children’s safety cannot be assured, I was relieved that I can attend the workshop without worries because of the security measures in place.  All visitors are required to wear an RFID ((radio frequency identification) security bracelet. Each child will be matched with a corresponding guardian 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 guardian.

With my child’s safety ensured, I proceeded without guilt nor worries to the the workshop. There I found several other parents who were ready to listen to Ms. Rose Fres Fausto speak about a very interesting topic for most adults –  money matters. I found it very easy to immerse myself in the financial workshop not only because of the obvious command of the speaker with the topic but also because of the conducive atmosphere. The set-up was just perfect for relaxed learning and interaction with other participants.

The workshop was called Financial Intelligence Quotient: 21st Century Skill. It was intended to teach parents to teach their children the fun way of saving. It was so loaded with information and practical tips that I decided to write about the contents of the workshop in a separate post.

Participants had the chance to ask questions and share personal experiences about our own challenges in reaching desired financial stability. It was a very enlightening workshop to say the least. Most of us had a pretty good idea of what needs to be done but the problem lies in the lack of action towards our desired goals.

My Say

As parents, we are naturally supportive of our children’s activities and wouldn’t mind standing by and allow them to enjoy. I’m positively sure though that many parents like myself, welcome productive and suitable activities for ourselves as well. This is what Parent Talks at KidZania Manila offers. I came out a lot wiser, just like my daughter did after our visit to KidZania.

KIDZANIA MANILA

Location: Park Triangle, North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Operating Hours: Mondays to Thursdays 9 AM to 4 PM (1 shift)    Fridays to Sundays and National Holidays 9 AM to 2 PM and 3 PM to 8 PM