Japanese kids are in for some real fun later this month when a computer-assembly amusement center attraction opens at KidZania Tokyo. Starting June 26, lucky kids will be able to experience the daily duties of a “computer factory worker” and assemble a computer. According to KidZania, kids will be able to “learn about the structure and function of a computer, enjoy the manufacturing process, and deepen their understanding of computers.”
KidZania PC Factory was created in collaboration with Mouse Computer, which has nothing to do with the theme park's beloved Mickey Mouse. The mouse is actually a Tokyo-based PC manufacturer founded in 1993. Mouse Computer is big in Japan, offering a range of PCs and laptops for content creators, gamers, professionals and more.
Uses real computer parts
Upon arriving at the “PC Factory” pavilion, kids learn about computer parts from videos and helpful staff. After instruction, kids fill out a customer order for a PC, select the correct parts, and begin assembling the PC. According to a press release about the new Kidzania experience, kids will install “real CPUs, memory, graphics cards, and more.” Plus, at the end of the experience, they'll make sure the computer is properly assembled and boots up.
Images and a description of the PC Factory Experience attraction reveal that there is space for up to eight “computer factory workers.” A work station in front of the kids appears to have an open PC tower system and a screen with tutorial videos. Behind the main work area, numerous boxes of computer parts can be seen.
The computer factory experience is said to be fairly short at 30 minutes. General admission to KidZania Tokyo is about $28 for school-age children, but it's unclear whether there will be a surplus of people to take part in experiences like the PC DIY assembly attraction, for example.
PC DIY isn't as unusual an amusement centre activity as you might think: KidZania also advertises career-inspired edutainment experiences in which children take on a range of professions, including dentist, optician, surgeon, car mechanic, radio presenter and call centre operator.