Encouraging their children, parents often say, ‘You can be anything you want to be.’ This is certainly true at KidZania, a theme park in Mexico City that combines education and entertainment.

After hotel pickup, arrive at KidZania’s 'airport,' where each child receives a check for 50 kidZos, the park’s currency, which must be cashed at the bank or turned into a debit card to purchase products and services in the city. Children 8 years old and over may roam KidZania on their own (as long as you leave a cell phone number with a facility staff member), while kids under 8 must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

Meander through sophisticated and fun activity stations located throughout the park, equipped with outfits and paraphernalia, where children tackle various roles, like archaeologist, chef, house painter, journalist or aerobics instructor. Keep in mind that while most of the activities are designed for kids of all ages, some have height restrictions and require reading skills or specific motor capabilities.

If you have toddlers 4 years old or under, shepherd them to Beginner’s Drivers Circuit and let 'em loose on motorcycles, or to Gerber Orchard and smile as they smash baby food into bottles. The really little ones can crawl around and plonk away at toys at Evenflo Day Care, an area designated exclusively for kids 2 and under.

Watch as your children develop products they’ll get to use or consume, like driving cars they manufactured, or eating cookies they just stuffed with marshmallows. When crisis hits as your child pilots a plane or performs emergency surgery, you get a unique and fun glimpse into how he or she makes decisions, resolves conflicts and exercises autonomy.

After ‘working,’ maybe your children will reward themselves with purchases at the department store. Another way for them to earn kidZos dollars and explore the breadth of the park is to play ‘courier,’ which requires picking up and dropping off important packages all over town. Check out the replicas of Mexico City’s famous monuments en route to a delivery.

Parents, if you need a break, relax in a lounge designated only for adults (the real ones, that is). When your kids are ready to be just kids again, you and your family will be taken back to your hotel.