KidZania, the fastest growing kids’ interactive educational entertainment brand in the world, was formally opened at Aspire Park yesterday.
With the indoor family entertainment centre becoming functional, Doha has joined KidZania as the 27th international location.
KidZania, which has a presence in over 21 countries, provides children with the space to do role-play activities through several exciting tasks.
The formal foundation ceremony of the new KidZania City was on Tuesday. Government officials, industry partners, representatives from the different KidZania franchises around the world and company’s collaborators were present.
During the foundation ceremony KidZania Doha keys were handed to the industry partners who invested in KidZania as a Corporate Social Responsibility and learning platform. The partners include QNB, Qatar Airways, Ministry of Defence, Qatar Rail, Kahramaa, Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel, Qatar Red Crescent, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Career Development Centre of Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Library, Al Rayyan Water, and Ghadeer Dairy.
The grand opening ceremony was entirely handled by kids. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Thani, chairman of Sharaka Holdings and Qatar Entertainment (Tasali); Xavier Lopez, KidZania president; and Ric Fearnett, KidZania Doha governor attended the function. While addressing the media, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Thani said KidZania will provide children in Qatar with an opportunity to learn, engage in physical activities, explore their careers and acquire values.
“KidZania features edutainment that integrates education and entertainment. Kids are made capable to learn through direct experience. The facilities here will promote professional learning and entrepreneurship, and they will lend an opportunity to acquire financial literacy. Besides, KidZania gives civic learning and help children grow as ideal citizens,” he said, adding the centre will also ensure experiential learning through developing skills and inspiring good values.
The concept of KidZania aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a sustainable and harmonised society by enabling kids in Qatar to fully embrace and learn about real working life and how the economy works.
Through ultra-realistic role-play, children at KidZania can learn about different careers, the inner-workings of a city and the concept of managing money while having fun.
Each experience at KidZania is designed to empower kids by giving them confidence to be their best selves and inspiration to be great global citizens.
KidZania Doha governor Ric Fearnett said they have plans to expand KidZania and launch new facilities.
Dr Ger Graus OBE – KidZania global director of education, spoke about how the concept brings learning and entertainment together to strategically teach children values through role-playing activities.