THERE is a fun, adventure and an artful blend of fantasy and realism in Eday town, a child's dream come true in Minhang's Xinzhuang area. Here, kids can pretend they are grown-ups and grown-ups might wish they were kids again.

Without any parental supervision, young visitors to this mini-community are free to fly an aircraft, take care of babies, extinguish a fire, direct traffic, write news stories, repair power blackouts, host television programs, design home decor, dig up treasures and make sushi. In short, it's a kid-size experience of the adult world.

Eday Town offers simulated career experiences in 70 different areas for youngsters aged between three and 16.

Covering about 70,000 square meters, the "town" is located on the fifth floor of Skymall, 5001 Dushi Rd. The town's attractions include a bank, a police station, a fire station, theater, hospital, news agency, a baby care unit, convenience store, restaurant, television station, ice-cream shop, racing circuit, dental clinic, job center, pharmacy, design studio, candy shop and a chocolate bar.

Eday's name refers to the "eighth day of a week." It's a child's day of liberation from listening to teachers from Monday to Friday and to parents on the weekends.

"The concept is that children should have a day of their own," said Zhang Shulan, a staff member with the marketing department of the Tong Meng Investment & Management Co, operator of the town.

The town is the brainchild of three young mothers who left careers in marketing, property and pre-school education after discussing over afternoon tea in 2007 the few avenues open for children to indulge their imaginations.

The trio spent two years preparing the project. It's proven so successful that similar towns have been opened in the cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan.

The Minhang town employs 100 staff. Everything about the place has an authentic look to it, from interior decors to work uniforms. Even the "streets" of the town mirror the hustle-bustle and noise of the real thoroughfares outside.

Admission is 130 yuan per child (US$20) and 50 yuan per parent. On weekends, the fee for each child rises to 170 yuan. There are two daily sessions: 10am to 2pm, and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

Upon entering the town, every child receives a credit card and a bank book that allows withdrawal of money from a Bank of China ATM. Salaries earned in the town can be deposited or spent on purchases at shops in the time. If it just sits in the bank until the next visit, it accrues interest.

The youngsters who come here are full of frisky enthusiasm. Parents, who aren't allowed in the actual work experience venues, often stand outside the glass walls snapping photos of their children.

"I just created my own house at the construction site and dug out some precious ancient coins as an archaeologist!" said nine-year-old Yu Wenjie excitedly, wiping a bit of sweat off his brow. Yu has visited the town twice.

It took him more than one hour to travel from his home in Yangpu District in the city's northeast to the town site in southwestern Minhang, but he said the journey was worth it.

"I like every occupation I've experienced here, like firefighter, power station repair worker and archaeologist, because they are fun," Yu said. "I've made 25 yuan by working." He admitted his "salary" went toward the purchase of some popcorn.

His companion, 10-year-old Li Zhuoxun, said he just drew a rabbit in the artist venue and proudly showed off his work. "I am heading to the archaeological site now because Yu told me it is fun," he said loudly. It was his third visit to the town.

The most popular "careers" for the kids appear to be fireman, air flight attendant, policeman, bank security escort and baker, said Zhang.

"Children of different age groups also show different preferences," she said. "Kids under seven tend to fancy jobs that involve hands-on skills, such as a scientist doing lab experiments."

Appealing uniforms can also affect some children's choices, she added.

Wang Yanchan, a guide at the news agency, said she used to work as a teacher in a local primary school. She quit her job because working in the town meant less pressure while still pursuing her interest in childhood development.

"I give children a topic and ask them to do interviews in the town," she said "Then they write a news story about the experience. I type their words up and print a small newspaper for them."

Children can also pay small sums for classes in subjects such as table manners, how to play traditional Chinese musical instruments, and eye and teeth care.

What might be called "edutainment" is designed to be a welcome breather from the rigid classroom learning children undergo weekdays. It is intended to fire up childhood imaginations and let them see what adulthood is all about without adults being about. It can also teach them valuable future work habits such as diligence, ethics, team spirit, independent thinking and personal responsibility.

Parents are not encouraged to hang around, especially when their children are six years or older. Gao Chunhua, who lives in the Pudong New Area, brought his three-year-old daughter to the town for the third time. He said he likes the relaxed educational atmosphere.

"The place is creative," he said. "My daughter is enchanted by it. I think for kids of her age, it's time to play on her own terms. We shouldn't impose our ideas on children and undermine their natural instincts."

Zhou Lijuan, a mother from Nantong, Jiangsu Province, said she brought her daughter to the town on the recommendation of a friend.

"Eday Town is generally a good idea, but there are too many children here and my daughter has to wait 20 minutes on average for each occupational experience," she said.

Each job experience takes six children at a time and lasts 20 to 30 minutes.

Eday Town plans to host a number of themed events such as a "Go Green" painting contest, a low-carbon activities day and charity events this year.