'KidZania' A day of Dreams & Discoveries
By Vyom Kesari
Have you ever imagined stepping into a city just for kids? Well, that's what KidZania feels like! A place where children like me get to explore the real world in a fun and exciting way. I recently visited KidZania in Mumbai with my friend Aarav, and trust me, it was an unforgettable experience!
The entrance looked like an airport, and guess what? We got these cool watches that allowed our moms to track us. Plus, we also received a coupon to redeem it to 'KidZos', the city's currency, to start our adventures. As soon as we entered, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. The whole place was beautifully decorated with a Christmas theme, making it even more magical!
Our first stop was IDFC Bank to exchange our KidZos. Interestingly, they also introduced us to a Credit Card option, enabling us to enjoy cashless transactions at various activity points at KidZania.
We immediately headed to our first activity: - Being delivery boys for DHL. We learned how packages move from one place to another. After that, we tried wall climbing, sponsored by Smooth, which was thrilling, and at a point I got scared to further reach the end point. But the real fun began when we visited the Parle Biscuit Factory. We saw how biscuits were made and packed. It was fascinating!
One of the highlights of our day was learning to ride bikes. But hold on! Before hitting the road, we had to get a license. We practiced on a bike simulator and even assembled parts of a real bike. Finally, at the 'TVS Racing Pit Shop,' we raced our bikes, feeling the thrill of the ride.
By now, our tummies were rumbling! We headed to the food section and relished some delicious Indian dishes like Chole Bhatore, Pav Bhaji and Chesse Grill Sandwich. Energized, we took on roles like Dabbawala and Police Officers, chasing a thief who had a great escape and left the country only.
We also discovered the power of green energy at the Mahindra Green Electricity Station. Pedaling a bicycle, we generated electricity that had five levels, and we knew on which level the household electric appliance would work. Later, I even showcased some Bollywood dialogues and a magic show at the KidZania Inox Theatre. The applause felt amazing and encouraging.
Midday, Mumbai's afternoon newspaper, gives you the city's happenings and updates. Here in KidZania we got the chance to be a journalist, interview a person, and see how the paper layout is executed and printed in 4 color printing machines. Though I know this process and have seen the real printing machine where our Safari Plus magazine is printed and how my mother writes an article, this time it will be ME who will write an article and pen-down my own experiences in Safari Plus, and the article will appear under my name.
But the day wasn't over yet. We stepped into the Air India Simulator, experiencing the thrill of piloting a plane. This was my first-hand experience sitting in a cockpit. I really wish someday I could see a real cockpit and experience the same. While I felt a bit uncomfortable watching a pretend surgery, it was eye-opening to see how doctors work.
As the day came to an end, I realized how much I'd learned and experienced in a day. Every moment at KidZania was filled with fun, learning, and excitement. I can't wait to come back again and explore even more! A big thank you to KidZania for making our day so special. Until next time, I have memories to cherish!