We have heard about Kidzania for the longest, but I think they closed down in 2020.
Our kids are still young at that time.
So we heard that Kidzania is making a comeback in 2024.Â
We chop chop try to book tickets online.Â
I managed to snag tickets online at 50% off, which was a great deal considering they sold out quickly.
However, we later realized that the prices had been marked up, which was a bit of a knn.
10:00 am - Arrival at Sentosa
We reached Sentosa at 10 am, driving down and parking at the beach carpark near The Outpost Hotel Sentosa.
This spot is the best as it’s close to KidZania’s entrance.
Along the way, we grabbed some bites at Old Chang Kee, having heard from reviews that the food at KidZania ran out on the first day.
This way, we were well-prepared and wouldn’t need to worry about finding food inside.
Checking In: A Smooth Process
10:30 am - Checking In
By 10:30 am, we were checking into KidZania. Surprisingly, there was no one at the counter, as entry was through a secret entrance with two staff members assisting guests.
Having done our pre-registration, including a selfie, we experienced the cool face recognition technology. This made the check-in process quick and seamless, adding to the excitement.
The First Glimpse: Understanding KidZania
10:45 am - Struggling to Learn About Time Tags
At 10:45 am, we learned that time tags for popular stations like the fire station were fully redeemed for the 10 am to 12:40 pm slots. The time tag queue had started at 9:55 am.
The next time slot booking was at 1:05 pm for the 1:20 pm to 3:40 pm timings. The following slot was 3:45 pm for the 4 pm to 5:40 pm timings.
A quick briefing on KidZania’s operations left us a bit confused.
After walking around for 10 minutes, we still felt unsure of what to do, unlike typical indoor playgrounds where kids start playing immediately. The concept of time tags and different slots was new to us, but we were eager to explore more.
First Stop: Fire Station
11:10 am - Fire Station: Long Waits and Frustration
At 11:10 am, we saw a manual queue for the fire station, which meant we could get slotted in if there was space.
It seemed to be a mix of time tags and manual queue capacity. This gave us hope that we could still experience the fire station despite the fully redeemed time tags.
While queueing, the kids explored other stations. This allowed them to experience different activities without wasting time.
Exploring Stations: Non-Stop Fun
11:30 am - KidZ Stadium
Kids Rating:
This station could accommodate more kids, ranging from 4 to 12 years old. It was a great place for the kids to burn off some energy.
They played various sports and games, and it was heartwarming to see kids of different ages having fun together.
11:50 am - Hospital Play
Kids Rating:
The kids got to play doctor, nurse, and patient, experiencing a bit of the medical world in a fun, hands-on way. They learned about basic medical procedures and enjoyed pretending to be healthcare professionals.
12:30 pm - Kiss 92 FM DJ Station
Kids Rating:
The kids got to be DJs, learning about radio broadcasting and having a blast on the mic. They selected songs, spoke on air, and even did some role-playing as radio hosts. It was an exciting experience for them.
12:45 pm - Fire Station Activity
Kids Rating:
Finally, after 1.5 hours of queueing, we got a slot. The kids watched a TV show for 5 minutes, followed by a 15-minute fire engine ride.
They even got to spray water to extinguish a fire, which was quite fun. This hands-on experience made them feel like real firefighters, and they loved every moment of it.
1:10 pm - Queuing for Time Tags for Potato Chips Making
We managed to get a time tag for 1:20 pm. This ensured that the kids would have a spot at the potato chip-making station, which they were really looking forward to.
1:15 pm - Queuing for Time Tags for the Hospital + Ambulance Ride
We secured a time tag for 3 pm. This allowed us to plan our afternoon activities and ensure the kids could experience the ambulance ride.
1:20 pm - Irvins Potato Chips Making
Kids Rating:
The kids learned how to make potato chips, and they enjoyed the hands-on experience. They followed the steps of washing, slicing, frying, and seasoning the chips. They were thrilled to taste their own creations at the end.
1:50 pm - Shopee Courier Delivery
Kids Rating:
They acted as delivery personnel, understanding the logistics behind package delivery. They picked up parcels, navigated routes, and delivered them to designated locations within KidZania.
2:10 pm - Nikon - Act Like a Photographer
Kids Rating:
The kids got to play photographer, taking pictures and learning about photography. They used cameras, set up shots, and captured moments around KidZania. It was a creative and educational activity.
3:00 pm - Hospital + Ambulance Ride
Kids Rating:
This session involved a hospital role play followed by an ambulance ride, giving the kids a taste of emergency medical services. They learned about first aid, patient care, and the importance of quick response in emergencies. The highlight is still the ambulance ride. So actually any stations with rides will have very high demand.
3:15 pm - Queuing for Time Tags for Malaysian Airline
At 3:45 pm, the staff started giving out time tags, but they were fully redeemed just a few people before our turn. While queueing, the kids had lunch at a nearby rest area. This gave them a chance to refuel and rest before continuing their activities.
3:50 pm - Indoor Play - Urbano’s Atom Science Lab
Kids Rating:
The kids had a blast in an indoor play area filled with balls, designed like a science lab. They engaged in various science-related activities and experiments, making learning fun and interactive. It was really chaotic. I think it should be named chaos lab instead.
4:15 pm - Kiss 92 FM DJ
The kids enjoyed another DJ session, enhancing their broadcasting skills. They felt more confident and creative the second time around, trying new things on air.
5:00 pm - Singpost - Postman
Kids Rating:
They acted as postmen, learning about mail sorting and delivery. They sorted letters, organized routes, and delivered mail, understanding the postal system's workings.
5:30 pm - Shopee Delivery
Another round of courier delivery, I think it is pretty fun pushing the trolley around.
5:40 pm - Sunbalm Skin Care Session
Kids Rating:
The kids learned about skincare, which was both fun and educational. They made their own skincare products and learned about the importance of taking care of their skin.
5:50 pm - Kidz Spa
Kids Rating:
The day ended with a relaxing spa session, though this one required an extra fee. The kids enjoyed a mini spa treatment, feeling pampered and relaxed.
A Mixed Bag of Experiences
Kids Rating:
Our day at KidZania was a mix of chaos and fun.
Kids definitely have fun and more fun. We stayed from 1030am to 6pm their closing time!
Parents Rating:
While some activities were well-organized and enjoyable, others were overshadowed by long waits and confusion.Â
The staff seemed overwhelmed by the large number of visitors, even on a weekday.
It made us wonder how they would handle the crowds on a weekend.
KidZania has potential, but better organization and preparation are needed to ensure a smoother experience for everyone.
There were a lot of queue cutters, the queue lines was not clearly labelled out too. When the staffs call for the next batch, everyone include the queue cutters just swarm in. Very bad.
And parents gotta pay $50+ to queue for the kids. That is really very turned off.
We spent the entire day just queueing for the kids. And given the 50% off, there were also stations that was not opened entirely.
Maybe 50% open too.Â
