KidZania Kuala Lumpur launches “ArchaeoKidZ” school-holiday programme

Mr Shahrul Nizar Ahmad (3rd from right) alongside representatives of KidZania Kuala Lumpur ArchaeoKidz collaborating partners, namely Faber-Castell, UHU, Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), F&N, Mission Foods, Canon and Emborg; and Professor Dato’ Dr Mokhtar Saidin (4th from right) officiating the launch of KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s ArchaeoKidz programme.

‘Fossils’ unearthed for KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s ArchaeoKidz programme, specially designed to engage the curiosity of young and inquisitive minds through interactive hands-on activities to showcase the fun side of learning about archaeology.

The launch was officiated by Guest of Honour, Professor Dato’ Dr Mokhtar Saidin, Director of the Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), who also served as the Vice-President of the Ikatan Ahli Arkeologi Malaysia (IAAM).

Speaking at the launch, Professor Dato’ Dr Mokhtar Saidin commented, “I applaud the effort made by KidZania Kuala Lumpur in taking the initiative to develop this programme, which I am certain will be an effective way to raise awareness among children and their parents of the importance of history and archaeology. Teaching children to understand the past will help them to understand change. It teaches them to think, which helps to develop their intellectual growth and skills such as cognitive skills. It is important when children are in the process of learning to be adults.”

Also present were Shahrul Nizar Ahmad, Mayor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur and representatives from collaborating partners comprising of Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), F&N, Canon, Faber-Castell, Mission Foods, Emborg and UHU.

Mayor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur, Shahrul Nizar Ahmad said: “This programme definitely will be an enriching and unforgettable experience for the children and their parents. We explore the most engaging ways for teaching history and archaeology to children with a series of fun learning, kid-centric activities and workshops, resulting in more than a chance for children to have fun, but they will also glean many skills and gain some hands-on archaeological experience too. This will also open the door for us in conveying the excitement of history and archaeology to them.

“At KidZania, we always aim at creating quality programmes, which are educational and filled with fun. With the expertise of our partners, the ArchaeoKidZ programme is geared to inspire interest in history and archaeology. I’m excited about replicating the success of our “Science & Space” programme held in May where we implemented engaging activities to educate kids on the wonders of science and space. Moving forward, we will be actively rolling out more programmes like this,” he added.

KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s ArchaeoKidZ programme runs from 10 - 25 August 2019 to coincide with the school holidays in Malaysia. Two main activities, three weekend workshops and a special activity for loyalty programme members will be featured amidst other establishment activities to take place around different locations within KidZania to bring history and archaeology to life, which is in line with KidZania’s philisophy to empower children to “Learn Life Today”.

Professor Dato’ Dr Mokhtar Saidin (left) and Mr Shahrul Nizar Ahmad (right) get a hands-on feel of one of the various activities that participants can look forward to at KidZania Kuala Lumpur’s ArchaeokidZ programme.

In essence, the programme is designed to encourage exposure to history and archaeology, providing opportunities for the young community to learn how the world came to be with interactive workshops and hands-on activities, equipping them with vital skillsets for the future.

The main activities include a Fossil Excavation to introduce participants to basic principles and techniques of archaeological excavation with proper Archaeologist tools. Meanwhile, kids will learn about the type of dinosaurs and their profile in the Know Your Dino activity. Both activities by Canon are a form of sensory play that will help them to develop and improve their gross and fine motor skills.

Mr Shahrul Nizar Ahmad (left) and Professor Dato’ Dr Mokhtar Saidin (right) get a briefing on how Fossil Excavation is done by a Kidzania’s CongreZZ Kidz.

The ArcheoKidz programme will also feature three weekend workshops. The Dino Wrap workshop by Mission Foods and Emborg will allow participants to learn to make a dino-shaped wrap. The Glue Fossils workshop by UHU and Faber-Castell will teach the children about fossils, and the fascinating way they are created. Similarly, kids will also get to replicate stone-carved glyphs using craft supplies by UHU in the Mayan Art workshop.

As part of the programme, KidZania Kuala Lumpur will also be conducting a BkidZanian special activity supported by F&N namely Spell the Dino, where the kids have to spell dinosaur names correctly to redeem prizes. Participants will also have the opportunity to make primitive-inspired bead bracelets, design their very own brand of dinosaur with handprint and paint, enjoy earth-coloured manicure service, and listen to a live program with in-house radio DJs who will discuss about archaeology and dinosaurs.

Last but not least, parents and kids are in for some squeaky clean experiences at the Dino Soap workshop run by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) where they will learn how to make their own dinosaur-shaped soap using palm oil!

More information about the programme and further details about activities can be found at https://bit.ly/2LUqt1C.