'Kidz Dunya' teaches your 5-year-old to get a job and manage money!

I expected another Sindbad style coin ride facility, but this was unlike anything I had ever seen in Pakistan!

Finally, after a plethora of anticipation, ‘Kidz Dunya’ (KD) opened its doors to the entertainment starved kids of Karachi. Nobody really knew what was being done behind the sky blue panaflex on the food court floor of Dolmen Mall Clifton.

The general perception was that a Sinbad style recreation facility is under construction and that the children will have yet another venue to go and enjoy coin rides. However KD changed the entire approach towards child entertainment and for the first time in Pakistan’s history, a dedicated facility for activity based entertainment and learning was introduced.

Children role playing as police officers at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

KD has been designed by a famous architect based in Karachi. The concept has been borrowed from Kidzania (Dubai) where the main focus is to indulge young minds into some healthy role playing activities.

The entire facility is designed like a small town with a proper road, street lights, road-side cafes, hospital, police station, a fire station, an ice cream factory, a pizza parlour, a football field, a science lab and several other outlets that are yet to open.

Police station at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

After paying the entry charges, children are provided with a KD cheque which is used to withdraw KDR 500 from a customised Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) branch dealing in KD currency. The kids are then supposed to earn and spend this currency while they spend their time in this beautifully designed town.

Habib Bank Ltd customised branch at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

In order to earn cash they have to serve in the police, work as a fire fighter or help the ailing humanity as a doctor. For each of these assignments they get KDR 100 which they can spend in various other activities.

Children role playing as firefighters at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

There is a Pizza Hut specially designed for kids where these young hands can indulge in some pizza baking. The ice cream factory is another colourfully designed facility where the kids go through the entire process of ice cream making.

Children learning how to make ice-cream at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

There is a stuffed teddy bear making facility where the kids can actually build a bear and buy it against actual PKR. Other than that, there is an arts studio where kids can assume the role of artists and can indulge in painting, sketching and puppet making. The attendants at each of the facilities are extremely friendly, well trained and interactive.

Teddy Mountain at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

Kidz Dunya is all about learning and fun side by side. The experience teaches kids to manage their money and get some exposure to real world professions. Such healthy activities in a safe and secure location were badly needed.

Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

The only challenge that the management will face is how well they manage the flow of visitors and how frequently they change the nature of their activities in order to keep the kids engaged before they get bored of doing the same things over and over.

Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

The pricing, at the moment, caters to the children belonging to the upper middle and elite segment of society. To ensure an influx of customers, the management can, perhaps, dedicate certain days when parents can enter free of charge and kids can avail certain discounts. This will encourage parents belonging to the lower income group to visit KD and take their kids through this wonderful learning experience as well.

KD Studio at Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

The management can also design special packages for schools. With a dearth of recreational spots in the city, schools can send their students to a safe and secure location without any worries and can provide their students with the benefit of an educational tour along with the fun aspect of a field trip.

Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

My six-year-old is suffering from a fractured arm but even with that neck sling tied around, she had a ball of a time. I found the staff to be courteous, patient and well trained in dealing with toddlers. They were being extra considerate towards my daughter’s injury and made her stay at KD as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Kidz Dunya. Photo: Arsalan Faruqi

As a parent I’m naturally concerned about the activities that my kid indulges into. These formative years require a lot of activity based learning and Kidz Dunya provided me with just the kind of recreational activity I would have wanted my child to be involved in and learn from. After this first-of-its-kind experience, my young one can’t wait to go back.