As Jeehan’s Diwali break was winding down, I received an invite that promised to end the vacation on an exciting note—a visit to KidZania Mumbai for a special meet-and-greet event with child actor Dishita Sehgal, known for her roles in Dear Zindagi and Hindi Medium. It was more than just a celebrity moment; it turned into a memorable learning experience for both of us.
The event, hosted by KidZania in collaboration with Navbharat Times, celebrated the winners of a children’s coloring contest. Among thousands of entries, the top 10 young artists were awarded and got a chance to meet Dishita on November 24th, 2018. The energy was infectious, and Dishita’s warm, poised interaction with the kids—especially during a fun roleplay Q&A—was truly heartwarming.
KidZania: An Immersive World That Empowers Kids
Accompanied by my 10-year-old Jeehan, I was once again reminded why KidZania is much more than an indoor play zone. Built like a kid-sized city complete with streets, vehicles, and buildings, it’s a place where children can experience over 100 real-life professions in a completely safe, secure, and monitored environment.
Children aged 8 and above can explore the space independently, thanks to an RFID-enabled security bracelet that links each child to their parent. This means while your kids are ‘working’ at their favorite stations, you can take a breather at the cozy parent lounge, browse books, sip a coffee, or even step out for a bit!
Armed with his KidZania passport and Yes Bank ATM card, Jeehan couldn’t wait to dive into the activities—from pizza-making at the Sbarro kitchen (where kids can even eat their creations) to trying his hand at Cadbury’s chocolate factory, Coca-Cola bottling, and being a radio jockey. His secret mission? To earn and save enough KidZos (the in-house currency) to buy me a surprise gift from the KidZania store. Cue emotional meltdown.
Moments that Make You Proud as a Parent
As I watched the event unfold at the INOX Theatre, the joy of the young contest winners and the ease with which Dishita engaged with them was a sight to behold. She shared that arts and crafts are her favorite hobbies when she isn’t acting—just like any regular kid!
Post the felicitation, the kids scattered to explore their favorite roles. I used the tracking bracelet to locate Jeehan, only to find him flushed, sweaty, and grinning from ear to ear—holding up his 250 hard-earned KidZos. He had made two new friends and was bubbling with stories of what he had done and learned.
Then came my moment—he proudly handed me a blingy pink pouch from the KidZania store. “It’s perfect for your travel makeup,” he declared. It had cost him every last KidZo he had earned that day. As a mom, that pouch became the most priceless gift I’ve ever received.
Why KidZania is a Must-Visit for Every Parent-Child Duo
Whether it’s the secure, tech-integrated environment, the concept of learning by doing, or the sheer joy of watching your child take charge and thrive—KidZania is truly a gold standard in edutainment. With dedicated spaces for toddlers, reading lounges for grandparents, and thoughtful parent zones, they’ve really thought of everything.
It’s not just a place where kids pretend to be adults. It’s where they learn life skills, responsibility, teamwork, and—like Jeehan—how to make their mom cry happy tears.
Here’s to raising responsible little humans, one role-play at a time. Big ZankU, KidZania—we’ll be back again soon!
