Christina Upshaw takes on the role of a hair stylist Dec. 30 at KidZania Dallas in Frisco, Texas. Staff supplied them with different types of bows and clips.
Photo by Derika Upshaw, Fort Hood Public Affairs
FRISCO, Texas — Learning is still in session for a couple more months, but hey, even in the summer, it is still a great time for learning. I have also learned that one of the best ways to teach a child is through play, and KidZania Dallas is a fun and exciting way to teach children different careers available to them.
There are more than 20 KidZania interactive cities worldwide, and we are lucky to have the United States location right up the road near Dallas. This was an amazing place.
Children learn how to use the spray canister during their pest control job Dec. 30 at KidZania Dallas in Frisco, Texas. The staff also taught them about the different kinds of pests and the most effective and humane way to exterminate each one.
Photo by Derika Upshaw, Fort Hood Public Affairs
When you go to check in at the “airport,” the representative gives each child a debit card. This allows them to be paid for their jobs and pay for certificates and licenses to further their “careers or shop in the department store. Each of our children started with 50 KidZos, the city’s local currency.
As you enter, you are made to feel like you are going on a flight. They send you through transportation security and when you round the corner you enter the city.
Christina Upshaw, center, takes a test to receive her bachelor’s degree Dec. 30 at KidZania Dallas in Frisco, Texas. She will have to wait until we go back again before she can earn her master’s degree. There are approximately 50 jobs for children to try at KidZania.
Photo by Derika Upshaw, Fort Hood Public Affairs
From there, children from 4- to 14-years-old can become immersed into many different professions.
My children experienced pest control, hair stylist, pilot, firefighter, podcaster and more. There were so many choices we did not have time for them all.
My two oldest adolescents train to receive their pilot licenses Dec. 30 while at KidZania Dallas in Frisco, Texas. The center has areas for ages 2-14 and each area explains the age groups for which it is intended.
Photo by Derika Upshaw, Fort Hood Public Affairs
But just like the real world, some jobs pay you more with a degree. My oldest two were old enough to get their bachelor’s degrees in engineering. This earns them 2 KidZos more per job. But also, like the real world, they had to pay for that degree and even the pilot license they received.
We also purchased them upgraded tickets, where they made a pizza and they learned how to make yogurt in a factory.
Let’s just say I buy a lot of Chobani now.
I hate that parents were not allowed to participate, but it made the experience for all the children even better. It was truly an area that was just for them to learn and be independent. The whole place is so child-friendly we just walked behind them. If it wasn’t for the 4-year-old, we would have taken advantage of the parent lounge. No need to worry about safety either, the children can only exit the area with the guardian they came with who has the same matching information.
I would recommend arriving as soon as they open because you will need the whole day to explore. Each activity takes at least 15 to 25 minutes. Comfortable clothing and shoes are a must for KidZania.
With our tickets, we had the ability to leave and come back and, depending on the ages of the children, this might come in handy. I would use it for the lunch portion or for a quick nap for the littles. They had food options though it left much to be desired, but since they had the pizza making class, their lunch was already provided.
KidZania is not a come enjoy once and done type of place.
The children will return to try more professions, earn more degrees and licenses and build their bank accounts.
This amazing place is located at the Stonebriar Centre in Frisco. The current schedule is from noon to 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. However, I would check their website for seasonal hours and changes to the schedule.
More information is availalble online at dallas.kidzaniausa.com.