Kidzania Manila


KidZania Manila is an indoor family entertainment center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a franchise of KidZania, a Mexican chain of family entertainment centers which allows children aged 4 to 17 to work in adult jobs and earn currency. KidZania Manila was opened to the general public on August 7, 2015 making it the 11th KidZania in Asia and the 20th in the world.

Background

KidZania Manila operates like a real city that is built to the scale of children, complete with paved roads and vehicles, buildings and establishments, a functioning economy and its own currency. Designed for children aged 4 to 14, KidZania Manila houses more than 55 establishments most of which are sponsored by real brands with over 70 role play activities. At KidZania Manila, children perform ‘jobs’ and are either paid for their work or pay to get a service.
Upon entering Kidzania Manila, one is given a boarding pass, a map of the city, and a 50 KidZos paycheck upon entry. Inside, one can work on over 70 different professions. Some establishments require children to pay a significant amount of KidZos. If one runs out of money, they must work in establishments that offer salaries. A security bracelet is also given to the children upon entry.
Due to the losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, KidZania Manila will be permanently closed starting August 31, 2020.

Awards

KidZania Manila, together with its PR agency, Strategic Works, Inc., won two Anvil Awards in 2017, the Gold award for “KidZania Manila: Roleplay as a Form of Education”, a communications program which showcases the formative power of play, and a Silver prize for “KidZania Manila: A Play City Where Kids Learn to Build a Better World." Considered the “Oscars” of the local PR industry, the Anvil Awards is an annual competition held by the PRSP to recognize outstanding public relations programs and tools implemented in the previous year.