KidZania, an experiential learning center for children that has 24 locations in 19 cities around the world, has announced that it will open its first U.S. location at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco.
Expected to open in 2018, the 80,000-square-foot educational center will offer kids ages 4 to 14 a “mini-city” where they can try out more than 100 real-life professions, including firefighter, chef, doctor, pilot, artist, and reporter, among others.
More than just a chance to play, the center serves up hands-on opportunities to learn through activities that mimic their real-world counterparts. Every KidZania “mini-city” is tailored to the city in which it is located, complete with buildings, paved streets, and vehicles. In addition, it has a self-contained economy that uses a currency called “kidZos,” allowing children to get lessons in financial literacy.
Frisco will also be home to KidZania’s corporate headquarters, which the company expects will bring as many as 450 jobs to the area.
The brainchild of Mexican entrepreneur Xavier Lopez Ancona, KidZania was founded in 1999 and has locations in cities like Mexico City, London, Tokyo, Moscow, and more. Another U.S. location in Chicago is expected to open in 2019.
KidZania lets kids test out different professions — like being a firefighter.
