KidZania Manila
A former indoor children's edutainment center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, where children role-played adult professions in a simulated city.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
KidZania Manila was a Philippine franchise location of KidZania, the Mexican-origin chain of indoor family entertainment centers built around educational role-play. Located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, the venue combined the format of a miniature city with activities modeled on adult workplaces. Children generally took part in profession-based scenarios, such as aviation and other service or public-facing jobs, while learning through guided play. The experience was designed primarily for children between approximately four and fourteen years old, with activities structured around participation, teamwork, and familiarity with real-world occupations. The Manila venue was associated with ABS-CBN Corporation, which operated the local franchise. It opened to the general public on August 7, 2015, becoming the eleventh KidZania location in Asia and the twentieth worldwide according to the cited reference material. Its location in Bonifacio Global City placed it within one of Metro Manila's major commercial and mixed-use districts, giving the attraction access to families, schools, tourists, and corporate partners. A notable physical feature was the partial fuselage of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft incorporated into the building. The aircraft, formerly operated by Northwest Airlines and identifiable by its fleet number, was repainted in Cebu Pacific colors. It housed flight simulators used for aviation-themed activities, including the pilot role. The aircraft nose projected diagonally from the building while most of the fuselage remained indoors, making it one of the venue's most recognizable visual elements. The aircraft was later removed after the attraction ceased operations. KidZania Manila operated for approximately five years. It permanently closed on August 31, 2020, after suffering losses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. The closure ended the local venue's operation rather than the broader KidZania concept. By 2025, the former site was occupied by The Street at BGC, operated by MCC Space Development Inc., according to the cited Wikipedia material. KidZania Manila also received industry recognition: together with its public-relations agency Strategic Works, Inc., it won two Anvil Awards in 2017. Because publicly available reference material is limited, details such as the franchise agreement, exact opening investment, leadership roster, attendance, and financial performance are not established here.
History
KidZania Manila was the Philippine branch of KidZania, an international chain of indoor family entertainment and educational role-play centers originating in Mexico. The concept places children in a carefully designed miniature city containing workplaces, public services, commercial settings, and other institutions. Participants take on adult occupations and complete structured activities, allowing them to learn about work, cooperation, and civic life through play rather than through passive observation. The Manila franchise was located in Bonifacio Global City, a major commercial district in Taguig within Metro Manila. It was linked to ABS-CBN Corporation, which owned or operated the Philippine franchise according to the cited reference material. The attraction opened to the public on August 7, 2015. At its opening, it was described as the eleventh KidZania site in Asia and the twentieth location worldwide. Its location and format positioned it as a destination for families, school groups, and children seeking an indoor activity that combined entertainment with simulated professional experience. Among the venue's distinctive installations was the forward section of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft. The aircraft had previously been operated by Northwest Airlines, as indicated by its fleet number, and was repainted in Cebu Pacific livery for its use at the attraction. The nose was displayed at a diagonal angle, extending outside the building, while the remainder of the aircraft was integrated into the interior. Several flight simulators were installed inside and supported the pilot-themed activity. This aviation installation served both as a practical activity setting and as a prominent architectural symbol of the venue. The attraction operated for roughly five years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions and the resulting disruption to indoor entertainment and group visits contributed to financial losses. KidZania Manila permanently ended operations on August 31, 2020. The cited material does not establish a separate bankruptcy proceeding or provide detailed financial statements; the closure is therefore best described as a pandemic-related permanent shutdown rather than as a documented bankruptcy. The venue and its public-relations agency, Strategic Works, Inc., received two Anvil Awards in 2017. The available reference does not specify the award categories or campaign names, so no more detailed award attribution is supplied. After closure, the aircraft installation was removed. By 2025, the former KidZania Manila site was occupied by The Street at BGC, owned by MCC Space Development Inc. The Manila location is consequently a defunct franchise venue, while the broader KidZania brand is a separate international enterprise.
- 2025
Redevelopment of the former location
[1]The former KidZania Manila site was reported as occupied by The Street at BGC, owned by MCC Space Development Inc.
- 2020
Permanent closure
[1]The venue shut permanently on August 31 after losses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
- 2017
Two Anvil Awards
[1]KidZania Manila and Strategic Works, Inc. received two Anvil Awards.
- 2015
Public opening in Bonifacio Global City
[1]KidZania Manila opened to the general public on August 7 in Taguig, Metro Manila. It was identified as the eleventh KidZania location in Asia and the twentieth worldwide.
Products and positioning
An experiential edutainment attraction combining family entertainment with hands-on career role-play for children.
Edutainment · 2015
Profession role-play activities
The core offering consisted of guided activities in which children assumed adult occupations within a simulated urban environment. The format used hands-on tasks and role-based scenarios to introduce children to different kinds of work while maintaining a family-entertainment setting.
Role-play attraction · 2015
Aviation and pilot experience
The venue's aviation activity used multiple flight simulators installed inside the forward section of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9. The former Northwest Airlines aircraft was repainted in Cebu Pacific colors, and the pilot role-play activity made the aircraft installation one of the location's signature attractions.
Brand decisions
2020
Permanent shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemicStrategyBackground
The indoor attraction experienced losses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, when public-health conditions disrupted family entertainment and group-oriented activities.
Action taken
KidZania Manila permanently ceased operations on August 31, 2020, after approximately five years.
Aftermath
The aviation installation was removed, and the former site was later occupied by The Street at BGC. No publicly sourced financial figures are included.
Recent events
- 2025
Former KidZania Manila site becomes The Street at BGC[1]
Other
The former venue location was reported as being occupied by The Street at BGC, owned by MCC Space Development Inc.
- 2020
KidZania Manila permanently closes amid pandemic-related losses[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The attraction closed permanently on August 31 after five years of operation, with losses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines cited as the reason.
- 2017
KidZania Manila and Strategic Works receive two Anvil Awards[1]
Other
KidZania Manila and its public-relations agency, Strategic Works, Inc., won two Anvil Awards.
- 2015
KidZania Manila opens to the general public[1]
Other
The Manila franchise opened in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, becoming the eleventh KidZania location in Asia and the twentieth worldwide according to the cited reference.
Sources1 sources
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