From fighting “fires” and pursuing “criminals” to flipping burgers and selling cars, let your children role-play in realistic settings at KidZania. The interactive education and entertainment center is a scaled-down town that enables children to experience how adults view and participate in the world.

KidZania’s paved streets are lined with shops, offices, restaurants, factories, a bank, hospital and fire station. Inside more than 60 workplace settings children between the ages of 4 and 16 can live out their dream job fantasies. There are more than 80 role-playing activities to choose from.

At the start of the visit children are given a map and are free to walk around the city and work at any of the available jobs. During their job shifts they wear uniforms and when they’ve finished are paid in KidZania’s own currency. This can be spent in KidZania’s shops which are also staffed by children pretending to be grownups. Trained adult helpers called “Zupervisors” supervise all the activities.

See how your children handle different situations by watching them through the windows of their “places of work.” If you want to relax while your older children are busy, go to the parent’s lounge where there is free Internet access and a café.

Take children who are too young for the role-playing activities to “Urbano’s House” in KidZania’s Upper Level. Here they can jump on an inflatable bed and take part in story-telling sessions as well as a host of other fun activities.

Children under 3 feet 11 inches (120 centimeters) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. While parents can be with their children as they walk KidZania’s streets they are not permitted inside the work establishments. The “Zupervisors” are on hand to ensure everybody plays safe.

Situated in Dubai Mall, the replica town is close to downtown Dubai and is well served by public transport. KidZania is on Level 2 of the mall opposite Reel Cinemas. The closest mall car park is Cinema Parking, which is free to use.