#MommaDiaries | McDonald's Burger Shop at KidZania!

A few months ago, the kids and I were invited to try out the new McDonald's Burger Shop at KidZania. I didn't get to publish the post right away, since I got entangled in the hustle and bustle of work, Sydney preps and BentoMommas. I finally get to sit down and write today. If you are a parent and you haven't taken your kids to KidZania, I suggest you save up and book a visit. It is worth it. Kids will enjoy the concept (you can read more about it here) and well, it trumps any other theme park in the country.

So when McDonald's finally opened its Burger Shop at KidZania, the kids were more than thrilled! Line up for the Burger Shop and have your child learn the ropes in making McDonald's iconic Cheeseburger.

McDonald’s President and CEO Kenneth Yang, Alonzo Muhlach, Play Innovations Industry Partner Director Cecille Mariño, and Play Innovations President and CEO Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas formally open McDonald’s Burger Shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Yep, a new McDonald's store is in town but it isn't like any other burger shop! It is kid-size, where kids as young as 4 years old are crew members - learning how to make burgers the McDonald's way. Welcome to McDonald's KidZania!

Getting briefed on what the task ahead will be. The kids had to wear specially-made McDonald's aprons in order for them to feel like they are real crew members inside a real McDonald's kitchen.

Both my kids have had McDonald's Kiddie Crew experience. RL, who was part of the Kiddie Crew two summers ago (he had a bridging program for first grade this past summer and couldn't join Kiddie Crew at the branch near us), was giddy and excited (more like, feeling like an expert, hehe).

Just like at a real McDonald's kitchen, the kids were taught the proper prep procedures in making the popular Cheeseburger. But first, they were reminded on the importance of cleanliness and proper hygiene.

First step: Cleanliness and hygiene! All participants must carefully wash their hands in a kid-sized sink that resembles what crew members use in every McDonald’s kitchen. 

Then it's Cheeseburger-making time!

Cai's little girl Y learns how to put Ketchup and Mustard on the Cheeseburger bun.

With every Burger Shop visit, kids will get the chance to put together the Cheeseburger - complete with all of its tasty ingredients - the 100% beef patty, a slice of American Cheese, tangy pickles (my favorite!), minced onions, ketchup, mustard and perfectly toasted buns.

Tin's little girl B assembling her Cheeseburger. Like B, tiny workers get the chance to play and learn important life values at McDonald’s Burger Shop in KidZania. Key lessons incorporated in the activity are the value of hard work, responsibility, discipline, and even self-confidence and social skills. 

“Making a McDonald’s Cheeseburger is an exciting activity in itself, but the real treat for kids and their parents is the experience and values learned while doing the activity. Together with KidZania, our hope is for kids to learn and appreciate the importance of hard work and responsibility, at the same time building their social skills and self-confidence,” said McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang.

Finishing off their cheeseburgers. A towers over the other children (and crew!). She's only 13!

The best part? They get to take home the Cheeseburgers they make!

Proud of their work at the KidZania x McDonald's Burger Shop! Next step: GRUBBING ON THEIR CHEESEBURGERS!

A and her Cheeseburger!

Funny RL and his cheeseburger.

“KidZania Manila is a place where kids can do big things and let their creativity run free,” said Maricel Pangilinan Arenas, State Governor for KidZania Philippines. “Here, they get to experience how a community operates, discover different careers, and learn while having fun by working closely with real-world brands that they know and love, like McDonald’s.”

Let your kids do big things. Have them experience KidZania!

KidZania Manila is located at Park Triangle, Bonfacio Global City. Open from 9AM-4PM on Mondays to Thursdays, and 9AM-2PM and 3PM-8PM on Fridays to Sundays. For more information, visit http://manila.kidzania.com.

Share your McDonald's Burger Shop photos! Don't forget to hashtag #McDoatKidZania!

FB | facebook.com/mcdo.ph

Twitter | twitter.com/McDo_PH

Instagram | instagram.com/McDo_PH

McDonald's x KidZania!

If there is one thing my little family is looking forward to in 2015, it is the grand opening of KidZania Manila! Headquartered in Mexico and founded in 1997, KidZania opened its first park in 1999. Today, KidZania has 16 locations in 13 countries, as well as 12 new sites underway across the globe - one of which is in the Philippines, and it is set to open SOON!

WHAT EXACTLY IS KIDZANIA?
If you haven't seen the boards surrounding its location in Bonifacio Global City, you should know that KidZania is going to be HUGE!

KidZania is an interactive kids' city combining inspiration, fun and learning through realistic role play for children 3-14. 

Imagine a kid-sized city with over 100 exciting careers to choose from and try out!

Each experience is designed to empower kids, giving them the confidence to be their best selves, and inspiration to be great global citizens.

KidZania is locally franchised by Play Innovations, Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation.

MCDONALD'S AT KIDZANIA
If you aren't familiar with the KidZania concept, basically kids who enter can choose and role-play "real" jobs and actually earn KidZos, KidZania currency, which they can earn to buy things like food, gifts, etc within the city. One of the establishments where they can work at is the Burger Shop, which incidentally will be handled by McDonald's!

My son RL is most excited about this! He has had "work experience" at McDonald's, having joined their Kiddie Crew over the summer, so he is already telling us that he will work his way up to be a restaurant manager at KidZania. LOL!

KidZania Manila will feature McDonald's Burger Shop, where kids will learn the ingredients that go into every McDonald's Cheeseburger, and each step of the process in making it. The training that kids will undergo is the same standard procedure that ensures Quality, Service and Cleanliness delivered to every customer and each meal enjoyed in any McDonald's around the world.

"We are definitely excited about this partnership as it strongly adheres to our commitment to Filipino families especially kids. We have existing programs that are especially designed for our youngest customers such as Kiddie Crew... Now that McDonald's Burger Shop will open at KidZania Manila, it is yet another innovative way to have a fun activity for kids... at the same time teach them essential life skills and values," shares McDonald's Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang.

THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MCDONALD'S AND KIDZANIA
Recently, McDonald's Philippines and KidZania Manila signed an agreement to seal their partnership for this new venture!

Doing the Kai! (which means "Hi!" in KidZania-speak)
Welcome to Manila, KidZania! We are excited that McDonald's is partnering with you!

"Like KidZania, McDonald's is a brand that loves and is loved by kids around the world," said Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, Governor of KidZania Manila and President and CEO of Play Innovations, Inc. "We're very excited to have them as an ally in giving children a truly realistic, immersive experience. Our goal is to empower kids in a fun way, by letting them experience how a community works, how to make and manage money, and how to cooperate and work with other people - all of which are necessary for success in the adult world."

Everyone doing the Kai!

Everyone doing the McDonald's M!

Kenneth S. Yang, Gabby Lopez (ABS-CBN) and Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas with Ronald McDonald!

Kenneth S. Yang (McDonald's) and Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas (KidZania) with Urbano, the head KidZania ambassador!

Watch out for the opening of McDonald's Burger Shop at KidZania Manila! Kids are going to have an awesome time for sure!

KidZania Manila opens in 2015! Stay tuned for more details!

| www.mcdonalds.com.ph
| www.KidZania.com