KidZania London re-opens its doors with a fun-filled weekend to celebrate the super-human effort of key workers
The edutainment attraction for children, KidZania London, thanked key workers throughout its celebratory re-opening weekend, which included the burial of a bespoke Time Capsule
Half Term booking now available!
London – October 6, 2020 – At 10.00am on October 1st and after extensive safeguarding preparations, KidZania London, the indoor city run by kids officially opened its doors once again. Occupying the largest retail space in Westfield London (equal to the size of Leicester Square), KidZania London underwent significant operational changes to ensure a safe return, with even more opportunities for enhanced learning through educational, fun and realistic role-play experiences.
Across the sold-out weekend, KidZania London recognised the hard work and sacrifice of frontline key workers throughout the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering them free adult tickets. In addition to this, key worker activities have been enhanced to help celebrate and honour these hard working professions.
Families enjoyed even more relevant key worker themed activities such as delivering ‘food parcels’ to collection points around the city and distributing PPE gear for medics at KidZania’s very own Alder Hey Hospital. Police Officers were even tasked with reminding guests to follow social distance guidelines across the site. In a direct response to their required frontline efforts, KidZania keyworkers now enjoy increased ‘salaries’ and daily ‘Zank-U’ parades. The ZanKs Heroes theme and activities will continue throughout October, including October Half Term which is selling fast!
During lockdown, KidZania invited children to record and share their experiences and feelings in penned letters to their future selves. Children up and down the country were encouraged to get involved, writing a letter to their future selves about how they have coped through the lockdown and their views of the world around them had changed.
Following phenomenal response, letters and accompanying pictures (including photographs and drawings) were curated into a Time Capsule and buried during a ceremony at KidZania London. Footage of the ceremony was released on Saturday and a bespoke display has now been unveiled for future visitors to enjoy.
Alongside this video, KidZania London released footage taken from an insightful virtual panel discussion which focussed on the important ways in which KidZania supplements a child’s education. The panel featured key KidZania principles as well as healthcare professionals and guest speakers including Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE – Global Director of Education, KidZania; Ric Fearnett – KidZania London Governor; Iain Hennessey – Clinical Director of Innovation, Alder Hey Children’s Health Park, Innovation Hub; Hero Brown – Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Muddy Stilettos; Serlina Boyd – Founder & Publishing Director, Cocoa Publishing; and last but not least, KidZania London Mayor, Kishan Shah.
In keeping with government guidelines, KidZania London is operating reduced opening hours across fewer days in the week. Booking for Half Term, w/c October 26, is now available. Guests are asked to book ahead online to guarantee entry, as well as familiarise themselves with the full list of health and safety measures and requirements before visiting. Opening times vary from 10.00am – 3.30pm, 10.00am – 7.00pm and 4.00pm – 8.30pm. KidZania is also available for private hire or school /group bookings of 150+ on request. Visit www.kidzania.co.uk to book tickets and for more information.
