What new things to expect from the newly opened KidZania Singapore

$90 million was invested in the construction.

Family edutainment KidZania Singapore is all set to bring a realistic indoor city concept to kids and families in Singapore. Spanning 7,600 square metre park, KidZania Singapore officially opened on 12 April 2016 at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach.

KidZania Singapore is meant to mimic a scaled down version of a real city. It is designed to empower children aged 4 and above to learn through realistic role-play, in a fun and safe environment. Every major industry that you see in a typical city around the world will be represented – from media, production, retail, hospital and banks.

“KidZania Singapore works closely with our partners to ensure that each activity provides edutainment benefits and realism to the children. Safety considerations such as security bracelets and doors that are designed with curved sides to prevent clamping of fingers, are in place to ensure that the kid-sized city is also child-friendly,” said Leong Yue Weng, the General Manager who is also known as the City Mayor of KidZania Singapore.

Leong told Singapore Business Review that S$90 million was invested in the construction of KidZania Singapore including the base building.

KidZania Singapore welcomed four new industry partners - C’est Moi, GardenasiaKids, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Police Force. This brings the number of industry partners to date to 37.

“Singapore is well-known for our emphasis on the importance of education, but outdoor hands-on learning opportunities remain lacking. We see the opportunity to complement the existing school curriculum and enhance the aspect of learning beyond the classrooms. KidZania Singapore empowers children to make their own decisions, and to pick up life skills and values through role-play. Some of these concepts may not be as easily taught in a classroom,” said Leong.

KidZania Singapore operates 7 days a week, with tickets ranging from S$25 to S$58. It is targeted to appeal to both the local as well as the tourist market.

Among other KidZania cities in the region, Leong boasts that KidZania Singapore is unique in four ways.

First, KidZania Singapore is the only stand-alone KidZania in the world constructed on a purpose-built building and located on an island resort.

Second, KidZania Singapore is the only KidZania to showcase a full-wing fuselage of an actual aircraft within its city, and offer two different types of flight simulators - the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft. “As in the real world, the two types of planes will offer kids a different flying experience, and allow them to understand the differences between flying different plane models,” noted Leong.

Third, KidZania Singapore will be the first KidZania city to have a Peranakan Museum. Leong said that a total of 17 local industry partners will also be featured at KidZania Singapore to give guests a KidZanian experience that is unique to Singapore's heritage and culture.

Lastly, KidZania Singapore is the second KidZania City to have The Mountaineering School, with the other at KidZania Cuicuilco. “The City is also one of the few to have a Stadium, which doubles up as an interesting event space for corporate use as well,” added Leong.

Who is Mr Leong?

Mr Leong was previously from the Singapore Armed Forces, having served in the Army for 21 years. He was a Lieutenant Colonel where he commanded some 500 officer, specialists and soldiers. Notable appointments during his tenure include Head Artillery Doctrine Branch, Head Tactics Training Wing, Division Artillery Operations Officer and Radar Battery Commander.

He marked his first foray in the theme park industry when he joined Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore where he was part of the opening team. During his six years with the group, he played a vital role in leading the operations team, overseeing all rides and shows in Universal Studios, Marine Life Park, Adventure Cove Water Park and Maritime Museum.