My guess is that you landed on this post because you are planning a trip to KidZania Singapore in the near future.

What is KidZania?

KidZania is a little city that offers children the chance to experience traditionally adult activities like going to work and getting paid and using their hard-earned money to make purchases. Through realistic role-play, kids are able to learn about different careers, the inner-workings of a city and the concept of managing money.

Is it fun? For the kids, without a doubt. For the parents, ermmm… perhaps not so much. Parents won’t be able to participate in most of the activities. Our sole responsibility in the city is to supervise the kids and make sure they leave with us at the end of the day. But! We parents are suckers for their kids’ happiness, so I would definitely visit again.

Before you and your child embark on your first Kidzania experience, here are a few things you need to know:

Wait until your child is 4 before you visit

There is a minimum age requirement of 4 years old to participate in most of the role plays. Others only take kids as old as 6 years old. If you must, there are two areas to keep the younger toddlers entertained – namely the Kindergarten and the RightZKeepers Residence. They are well stocked with toys and has various programmes for both adults and kids to participate in. But that’s not exactly THE reason of visiting KidZania isn’t it?

Best time to go

If possible, avoid weekends and school holidays. I know this isn’t a mind-blowing tip, but I’m dead serious about this. Each activity could only take on a limited number of children and each batch goes on for 20 minutes. This means if you’re lucky, you wait at the most 20 minutes for your (child’s) turn. However, while we were there on a weekday of school holidays, we were always in the second and third batch of the queue, so you do the math of our waiting time. We got there around 11 am and left at closing time, Lauren only managed to do 3 occupations while my older niece and nephew did 5 each.

Buy tickets before you go

KidZania Singapore has a capacity limit so tickets are on a first come, first served basis. To guarantee entry, book your tickets online. You may purchase tickets up to two months in advance. Plus, you get 5% discount on online tickets, so why not! And if you pay using a Maybank Credit or Debit Card, there is a 10% discount.

Dress appropriately

By all means, DO NOT dress as lightly as me. The place is chilly. After spending more than 7 hours in the air-conditioned city, I couldn’t feel my fingers and toes. Jackets and cardigans, please! Also, expect lots of walking or at least standing around. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank you.

Plan your play

There is definitely loads to take in within a day, but to ensure every kid have their experience as much possible, KidZania advice children and families to allocate a minimum of 3 hours, and optimally 5 hours, taking in consideration for the respective waiting times for each activity.

Upon entry, you will be given a map of Kidzania. Take note of what’s available and get the kids to decide on what they would like to do, preferably together or separately. The more popular activities like pilot and candy making don’t even have a physical queue, they give out queue numbers at specific timings and they run out fast. Do take note of the timings if your child is so inclined.

Re-entry is NOT allowed. Have a late breakfast before you go and have a late lunch. Queues at popular occupations may be relatively shorter come meal times so be sure to take advantage of that. Also, food options are quite limited. Do bring your own little snacks and bottles of water.

And avoid going to the bank when it is near closing time. The bank will be swarmed with kids who are either eager to deposit their day’s earnings or withdraw their kidZos to spend. Use an ATM instead!

Go with another adult or family

Waiting by entrances of activity areas can get pretty boring, no matter how many photos you aimed to take. Having another adult to chat with and gush over how cute the kids are in their uniform makes the long day a lot better.

If your kids are old enough to navigate KidZania by themselves, you could even head up to the Parents Area on Mezzanine Floor to have some tea and leech on to the free WIFI.

If you’re a child at heart and would love to join the role-playing, parents are welcomed to be passengers in the plane while the children take charge as the cabin crew and pilot. You could also be a tourist as your child plays the tour-guide. Lastly, enjoy the theatrical performances by your children at the theatre. Hilarity ensues!

Choose activities that come with food and save money buying the kids lunch!

I found this out by accident! Lauren wanted to be a chef at the KFC kitchen and because of the long queue, by the time she is done, it was lunch time and just nice she has the burger she just made with her. I didn’t have to waste money and time buying food for her! As for me, I had late lunch while she was occupied at her next occupation.

Other parents may also have the same idea, so get your kids to join the queue either ahead of lunch time or way after meal times (if you follow my earlier advice on having late big breakfast). Establishments to get food from role-playing are KFC, PIzza Hut and Soup Spoon.

After lunch, head over to Paddle Pop for a dessert all kids love!

Lauren and Mithraa absolutely loved it here. The Zupervisors are super friendly and they get to make their own ice-cream.

Let your child choose their own occupations

Ermm… this applies when they are older and into the real world too. But let’s stick to Kidzania for now. There are approximately 100 activities that kids can participate in, in over 60 establishments. As much as you’d like seeing your kid in a doctor’s robe, he/she might have other ideas in mind.

Let them choose what they want to do. It meant to be fun. And if all they want is just hang around without participating, allow them.

Do warn them ahead of time that they simply can’t do everything, given the time constraint. Go and do what they really, really want to do first.

Address & Location in Singapore

KidZania Singapore is located at Palawan Kidz City and conveniently linked to the Beach Station on Sentosa Island. KidZania is located directly across from the entrance of Port of Lost Wonder (which is now closed). It is a massive building with a big aeroplane coming out of the front (you can’t miss it).

KidZania Address: Palawan Kidz City, 31 Beach View #01-01/02, Singapore 098008

KidZania Contact Phone Number:  1-800-653-6888

KidZania Website: www.kidzania.com.sg

KidZania Parking

There is a lot of parking available at the Sentosa “Beach Station” car park. Follow the signs once you enter to Sentosa to get to the Beach Station. As soon as you enter the Beach Station carpark, make a left (that is the closest part of the parking lot to Palawan Beach).

After you park, it will take you about 5 minutes to walk from the Sentosa Beach Station carpark gantry to KidZania.

Opening Hours / Hours of Admission

KidZania operates 7 days a week.

Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm

Ticket Prices

• Kids (ages 4 – 17): SG$58
• Adult (ages 18  – 59): SG$35.00
• Toddler (ages 2 – 3): SG$25
• Baby/Infant (under 2) – free
• Senior Citizens (60 years old and above): SG$25

Tickets can be purchased onsite at KidZania in Sentosa or tickets can be purchased online.

Admission rules to note:

• Kids below the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult (parent/guardian aged 18 & above) at all times when inside the city
• Tickets are exclusive of Sentosa island admission
• Each transaction must contain (a minimum of):
  • 1 Adult ticket for any Kid (under 8 years of age) or Toddler ticket(s) purchased
  • 1 Kid or Toddler ticket for any Adult ticket(s) purchased

Lastly, remember to have fun and take plenty of photos. It will be a day to remember, I promise!