Maintaining your indoor playground or trampoline park is crucial for your business success. If you keep a close eye on your play structures, you guarantee the safety of your customers. Moreover, materials last longer and you never miss out on unnecessary turnover because you have to temporarily close your park or part of it. But how can you best maintain a play structure? Below you’ll find ten maintenance tips for leisure entrepreneurs.
The 10 best tips to maintain the play structure of your indoor playground
Create a planning
Well begun, is half done. Successfully maintaining your playground starts with making a planning. Identify which elements your park has at its disposal. Then map out what is needed daily, monthly and annually to maintain it. Once you know this, you can decide which activities you can carry out yourself, which you leave to your employees and which tasks you outsource to experts.
If your indoor playground is installed by Dream garden Play, you will always receive a manual that describes how to maintain each element in detail.
Check your indoor playground daily
Start your working day with a check-up round or have an involved and experienced employee do this. During such a daily check you check the condition of all playground equipment in the park. This prevents small defects from becoming costly repairs or having to replace complete elements. Are the nets still in one piece? Are the pipe covers still good? And, does the trampoline still have all its springs? If you have digital elements in your playground, such as ValoJump, it’s a good idea to test them at the beginning of each working day. In case of a malfunction, the producer can often do the job remotely.
….and monthly
Check the couplings of the play structures monthly. Most of them are concealed under the covering of elements and therefore visually hidden. Also check whether the walkways in the structures are complete and whether the nets are still installed correctly. Finally, check if the connections in the slides are correct and whether the hanging game elements are secured in such a way that there is no chance of finger entrapment. Check, check, double check!
Invest in training & learn to make knots
Not every knot is the same. This is certainly true when it comes to maintaining your nets. Nets are one of the most vulnerable elements of an indoor playground or trampoline park. At the same time, they play a very important role in ensuring the safety of your visitors. Therefore, invest in specialist knowledge and learn the right knotting technique. Dream garden Play service staff will be happy to visit you for a demonstration on location.
Dust-free is a good thing
Why should you make it difficult when thinks can be easy? For cleaning most playground equipment, a bucket with soapy water is all you need. Avoid expensive, chemical cleaners and go for a standard all-purpose cleaner from the supermarket. Use a wet cloth to regularly wipe off all areas of the elements you can reach. This is not only good for hygiene, but also looks neat.
Let them slide
An exception to the above rule are crawlers and slides. You only need to clean these with a damp cloth (without cleaning agent) and dry them afterwards. Depending on the humidity at your location, you can then use a special silicone spray. Crawl tubes and slides in indoor playgrounds can become rough because of the high level of humidity in many of the halls. With the silicone spray – available at ELI Play Service – you can let all your visitors glide comfortably again.
Slide Dream garden Play
Act immediately in the event of damage
Is something broken in your playground equipment? Then act as quickly as possible. Make an assessment of the safety of your visitors and, if necessary, close off part of your play structure. Don’t wait too long with the repair, this will prevent an element from breaking further and possibly having to be replaced in its entirety. If you want to act fast, ELI Play is the place to be. Email pictures of the damage to our service department: an employee will make a repair proposal as soon as possible.
Book an annual playground inspection
In addition to the daily and monthly check, it is advisable to have an inspection carried out by an expert at least once a year. During this thorough annual check that you can book with Dream garden Play Service, all playground equipment is checked. The mechanic then draws up a quotation for all major parts that need replacement and for the necessary repair work on, for example, nets, trampolines, pads and paddings.
Refresh the ball pool with the ball tray cleaner
Cleaning the balls of your ballpool one by one is of course an impossible job. Save time and effort and make use of ELI Play ball pool cleaning. A service employee will then visit you with the special ball cleaning machine with which ELI Play has been successfully cleaning ball pools for more than twenty years. Have the balls freshened up at least four times a year and consider concluding a ball pool cleaning contract.
Document your maintenance efforts
Last but not least, do not forget to keep a log of all checks, maintenance and repair work you perform or have performed. Every owner of an indoor playground or trampoline park is obliged to do so by law. Tip: also save the ELI Play service reports in the logbook. Should an incident ever occur in your park, it is so good for your liability that you can always prove that you have done everything possible to maintain your playing structure properly and professionally.
Would you like more advice on how to maintain your playground?
Dream garden Play is happy to support you in maintaining or repairing your playground. Our service team is always there for you. Call us at +8613868643987 or send an e-mail to info@toymakerinchina.com.
Below are a few examples of the differences between Indoor Playgrounds play equipment from dream garden playground in china and the
play equipment of other manufacturers that may not comply with these standards. It takes years of
experience in this industry to clearly understand these safety standards along with great investment in
both resources and efforts in order to truly implement them correctly in the design and manufacturing process.
Playground materials
Steel Pipes
The steel pipes we use are either 2.2mm or 2.5mm thick. These specifications will be written in the sales
contract and can be verified by the customers when they receive our products.
Our steel pipes are hot-dip galvanized steel pipes where the whole pipe is immersed in a bath of molten zinc
thus both the inside and outside of the pipes are protected from rusting for many years. In comparison,
other companies might use a cheaper process such as “electroplated coatings”, such steel is not real
galvanized steel and have a much weaker corrosion resistance.
Clamps
Our proprietary clamps are made of galvanized steel, welded by automatic welding robots and are then
powder-coated to add a thick and durable layer of protection to prevent from rusting. These clamps are
stronger and more durable in comparison to iron clamps that may be used by other playground companies.
Safety Netting
Our safety netting is fire resistant and tightly knitted and certified to be used even in outdoor sports.
Our fire resistant anti-climb netting will be used on the first level of our playgrounds to prevent
children from climbing on the outside of the structure.
Footings
Our vertical steel pipes come with a strong cast-iron footings which are bolted to concrete flooring to hold
the pipes in a stable position. The pipes of some other suppliers might either simply sit on the floor, or
might be installed in a plastic footing.
Foam Pipes and Zip Ties
Our foam pipe covers are 72″ thick with the diameter of the pipes being 3.34″. The PVC vinyl has a pure
and bright color and is also UV-resistant making sure the pipes stay flexible and durable even when exposed
in sunlight. The foam pipe covers of other companies might only be 7cm with the diameter of the pipes
being only 3.1″ as well as having PVC vinyl that is not UV-resistant causing the colors to fade and the PVC
vinyl itself to become fragile over time.
The zip ties used to tie the foam pipes to the steel pipes are made of high quality plastic, making it
flexible yet still tough.
We use generously more zip ties to tie the foams onto the steel pipes, the space between our zip ties is 5″
to 6″, in comparison with 9″ to 10″ of space of some other manufacturers.
Deck Boards
Our deck boards are over 2″ thick consisting of .7″ thick high quality plywood and 1.4″ thick high density
foam. In comparison, the deck boards of some other manufacturers might be only around 1.2″.
Our deck boards are affixed to the pipe structures using powder coated brackets and screws.
Our deck boards are completely wrapped in foam and covered with the same PVC tarpaulin on the front, rear
and sides, thus making sure the deck boards are soft on all sides. This provides the best protection and
care for the children as well as giving the boards an aesthetically pleasing look. In comparison, some
other manufacturers might attach foam on the front side only.
PVC Wrappings
The PVC tarpaulin used to wrap up our soft play equipment is heavy-duty 18oz industrial-grade PVC vinyl
which is 0.2″ thick, strengthened by 1000D nylon weaving inside the coating, making it capable of
withstanding many years of intense wear, yet still maintaining its soft touch.
With one of the widest range of colors available, we are able to make a big range of colorful playgrounds
that will appeal to many different customers.
Foam
We use only high-density foam to make the paddings for all our soft play equipment thus our soft play
equipment is capable of maintaining its shape for years under constant play. By comparison, some other
manufacturers might use cheap low-density foam which is not capable of maintaining its shape even after only
a few months.
Climb Ramps and Stairs
Our ramps and stairs have a layer of high density EVA foam similar to the materials used in making our EVA
floor mats. This layer of high density EVA foam will enable the ramps and stairs to withstand the treading’s
of the kids and yet still maintain its original shape for years to come.
The sides of the ramp are tied directly to the safety netting to make sure that there no gaps or spaces in
between.
The area on the bottom side of the ramp will be surrounded by safety netting to prevent children’s access,
but there will be a service entrance for the staff for maintenance purposes.
Rainbow Bridges
Our rainbow bridges features a much higher arc making it looks much nicer in comparison to companies which
have a lower arc for their bridges.
With the availability of the widest range of colors of PVC tarpaulin, we can create very colorful
bridges that can include all colors of the rainbow.
Punch Bags
Our punch bags are fully stuffed with foam and wrapped with our strong PVC tarpaulin making it bouncy and
giving the punch bags a plump look.
They are attached to the structure using a steel harness which is very reliable and durable and also gives
the ability to allow full range of rotation.
The steel harnesses is covered with soft padded PVC covers for the children’s safety in addition to also
giving the enitre playground its upscale finish.
Our unique animal themed punch bags are also wrapped with our strong PVC tarpaulin, while the ears and arms
of the animal themed punch bags are strengthened to extend playability.
Vertical and Horizontal Rollers
Our rollers are made of high-density foam which bounces back to its original shape after pressure is
released. Children can tread and lay on it, yet it will still keep its shape for years.
The sides of our rollers are covered by soft padded PVC covers which protect the children from being hurt
from touching the moving parts of the rollers, in accordance with the safety standards set by Europe
(EN-1176) and USA (ASTM-1918).
Themed Elements: Canopy, Digital Print Soft Padded Boards, Themed Entrance,
Playground materials
Our digital prints are coated in a UV-resistant protective film, which will prevent the prints from fading
in sunlight and to protect them from being scratched and worn by children.
Our themed elements are created by a graphic designers and are printed in high resolution formats,
thus giving them a clear look both close-up and from a distance. .
The 3D windows and decorations are 3D in both the renderings and the real products as well.
Spiky Rollers and Spiky Balls
Our rollers and balls are stuffed with foam while the spikes are stuffed with high quality synthetic cotton
used in stuffing plush toys. In comparison, many other supplies that might use scraps or saw dusts to stuff
their rollers.
Elastic Forest
Our elastic forest obstacles are made of elastic materials on the ends making it easier and more
challenging for children to climb and push their way through the obstacle.
All of our elastic forest obstacles are stuffed with high quality synthetic cotton similar to ones used as
plush toy stuffing which keeps them plump and durable.
Ball Pools
The balls that we provide for our ball pools/pits are of the best quality and come in multiple bright and
fun colors.
We place stairs at the entry area from outside and exit area from inside of the ball pool / pit. This will
make it easier the kids to enter in and exit out of the ball pool.
In addtion to standard balls we also carry GermBlock balls which are proven to resist germs from children.
Webbing Deck and Webbing Bridges
The webbing decks and bridges are meant to be stepped on, jumped on and climbed on by the children and thus
they have to be strong enough to bear the weight of children. Our webbing is manufactured using tightly
knitted nylon which is the same materials that are used to make the seat belts in a car.
The stitching of the webbing is done using very strong nylon threads and is double stitched on all the
joints of the webbing to ensure the webbing will stay strong for years to come.
Single Plank Bridge
The sides of our single plank bridges are made of webbing which have a mesh size of 2″. In comparison, the
webbing of some other suppliers might have a mesh size of around 3-4″. The large mesh sizes poses a
danger to children and is not in compliant with the safety standards set for indoor playgrounds.
Our webbing is installed using our unique Velcro designs which makes it easier to detached and reinstalled
by the owners for maintenance and cleaning purposes.
Webbing Crawl Tunnels
Besides the standard webbed crawl tunnels, we also have many other varieties that can
add more excitement to the playground. We have a rocking web crawl tunnel that is suspended on big strong
springs, thus causing it to rock when children crawl through it. In addition, we also have a swaying
web crawl tunnel where the tunnel is suspended on 2 steel beams which causes it to sway left and right
as the children crawl through it. Even though they might look the same as the static tunnels, you can be
sure that they will be different.
Spider Climb Tower
The spider climb tower is one of the most eye-catching exciting climbing equipment in indoor playgrounds.
Our spider climbing tower uses super strong elastic belts that are upholstered in PVC tarpaulin that
children will climb through to get to the next level. These belts are built to last for many years.
We are constantly improving and renovating our products. An example would be the updated version of the
spider climb tower that has combined the spider climb tower with a trampoline below and includes color
changing LED lights.
Heavy duty pigmented rotomolded resin:
Playground materials
All major plastic components of our indoor playground are made of shatter-proof compounded resins that are
usually found in outdoor playground only, and are produced with our own rotomolding machines. They are more
resistant to impact, abrasion, and aging. The finished product also looks more glossy and smooth, and does
not induce static.
Wave Slides
The wave slide is one of the most attractive and exciting play equipment in the indoor playgrounds which
will attract not just many children, but also parents (or grandparents). Our wave slides are designed and
built to be used by people of any size and meet all the safety standards of the world.
Our fiberglass wave slide is made of colored gel which is abrasion-resistant and highly durable. The wave
slide gel will help to keep a brightly colored and glossy surface even after many years of usage.
The body of our fiberglass slides are almost twice as thick as the slides of some other companies.. As a
result, our fiberglass slides are sturdier and more durable.
Our wave slides are built with railings on the sides to keep the children safely on their own slide chutes.
In compliance with the safety standards of USA ASTM and Europe’s EN, the sides of the slide structure are
enclosed by anti-climb netting with small mesh to prevent children’s fingers from getting caught in the
netting and also to prevent the kids from climbing up the slide.
We install a big and thick soft mat at the end of our long exit section.
The safety netting is also extended to surround the sides of the landing/exit area to prevent collision
accidents between children who are exiting the slides and other children.
Spiral Tube Slides
Our spiral tube slides can comes with clear windows that are covered by a strong and clear lens made of the
same materials used in manufacturing bullet-proof windows.
With the years of experience in manufacturing and installing indoor playgrounds, we are able to design and
build spiral slides that are optimized to ensure a smooth sliding experience for the children.
In compliance with the safety standards of USA ASTM and Europe’s EN, the landing/exit area of the slides are
surrounded by safety netting to prevent collision accidents between the children who are exiting the slides
and the other children.
Plastic Tubes
Our plastic tubes such as those used in the crawling tubes may have a clear window covered by lens which are
made of the same materials used in manufacturing bullet-proof windows. This will enable parents to see into
these crawling tubes to keep an eye on their children.
Installation Brackets and Components for Slides
Over our 12 years of experience in manufacturing and installing playgrounds, we have developed numerous
types of proprietary mounting brackets to ensure that the slides are fixed securely to the structure.
Self-locking nuts and bolts are used in the slide installation and also in other play equipment that are
subjected to frequent vibration or movement to ensure that the play equipment is safe for the children
to play.
Trampolines
Our commercial-grade trampolines are built with strong metal structures and specially strengthened metal
components such as the tailor-made springs. These structure and components will ensure that the trampoline
will be sturdy and durable.
The trampoline cloth used in our trampolines is thick and made of high quality fabric that is made
specifically for trampolines. Nylon webbing is stitched on all sides of the trampoline cloth using
strong nylon threads to ensure the durability of our trampoline cloths.
Flooring
Playground materials
Our interlocking foam mats are commercial-grade and made of high-density anti-fatigue EVA that will stay in
shape even after years of intense usage in commercial playgrounds.
For the toddler area, soft play mats are usually used instead of EVA mats. Our soft play mats are similar to
the deck boards used on our play structure only softer. The soft play mats have a plywood base and the foam
used is the 45D high-density soft foam and completely upholstered with our high quality PVC vinyl. The high
density foam will maintain its shape after years of usage and will provide better protection to the smaller
children.
Indoor playgrounds are fun places for the kids to stay physically active without getting serious injuries. To start a successful indoor playground business, you should choose a niche, create a detailed plan, select the right location and equipment, follow safety guidelines, and hire professionals to keep the kids safe at all times. Welcome to contact dream garden at toymakerinchina.com
Since the mid-1990s, indoor playgrounds have continued to grow in popularity. Over time, indoor play areas have quietly developed into a legitimate industry, with a variety of options for children and their parents. While some indoor playgrounds cater to the youngest visitors, namely preschool-aged and under, others include activities for children of all ages and in some cases, adults as well.
So, how viable is the Indoor Playground Business? With increasing concerns about childhood obesity, many parents are looking for a fun, safe, and controlled environment for their kids, where they can be physically active; run, jump, and climb without the worry of serious injury, and where they can play hard, without parents having to worry about their security and safety. The indoor playground market fits that niche perfectly and has only continued to grow in recent years.
If starting an indoor playground business seems like a viable option, we will explain, step by step, the best way to move forward!
Many cater to the youngest children, from toddlers to preschool, while others focus more on preteens through adults. Although some indoor playgrounds focus solely on physical activities, like:
Climbing
Jumping
Running
Others include additional attractions, such as:
Video games
Skee ball
Other competitive features
Popular indoor playground activities and attractions include climbing, jumping, skee ball, and video games.
Before moving forward, it is important to find a niche, or a focus.
Perhaps you’re interested in opening an indoor playground with a focus on rock climbing or zip lining; or maybe a sports-oriented indoor playground, with some organized games, such as indoor soccer or dodgeball is closer to what you’re considering.
Still, other indoor playgrounds focus more on gymnastic activities, such as trampolines and tumbling.
To truly create a viable business, it is important to pick one area of specialty, and be the best at it.
By offering something with a unique area of focus, that’s a little bit different than other indoor playgrounds, you can target a specific customer base. You can also focus on the community at large, and provide something that other, similar businesses, do not.
Investigate The Competition
Indoor playgrounds are plentiful, but each one seems to offer something slightly different.
While some focus on gymnastic style play, others focus on different amenities, such as virtual reality video gaming, or go-carts, or a carnival style playground model where kids can earn tickets for prizes.
When considering a new business, it is important to understand the local competition.
By offering unique indoor playground equipment, you can easily outperform competitors.
Whatever the niche of the business, it is important to also provide something better, and different than direct competitors.
It’s important to understand who the competitors are, and how to outperform them, whether you provide:
Longer hours
Lower entrance fees
A better variety of activities and gaming options.
Planning, Planning… You’ll Want To Have A Plan
Before starting any business, it is important to create a workable plan that outlines every aspect of the business. You need to make decisions that address:
What is the main revenue stream?
Aside from admissions, are there other viable ways to create revenue for the playground?
What services can be included?
Will there be food served? If so, will there be hot food to order or vending services?
Will the facility have the capacity to host children’s parties?
Exploring the different amenities within the playground design and creating a business plan that outlines the various revenue streams, can help a small business owner:
Secure funding
Estimate overall costs
Determine what type of supplies and staffing will be necessary once the business is up and running.
You’ve Heard It Said, “Location, Location, Location”
When trying to create a commercial business, whether it’s an indoor playground, a deli, or a dry cleaner, it is important to find the right location.
First, you will want to consider the demographics in the surrounding area. For an indoor playground, it’s important to find a location that is easily accessible for families, perhaps:
In a commercial area
Close to schools
Well established neighborhoods.
The right location can make a business, and conversely, the wrong location can break a business.
Selecting the right location for your indoor playground will help you start a successful business.
Take the time to research an area thoroughly, find out why previous businesses have failed, and make sure the location makes sense for the type of business envisioned. It is important to find a location that is:
Convenient for families
Perhaps accessible by public transportation
In a location deemed safe for children and families.
Create Hype
Once a location is selected, it is time to start advertising.
While, it may seem too soon, it is truly never too early to start advertising an upcoming business venture.
Simple steps, like:
Placing a sign at the chosen location alerting those passing by of the upcoming business
Creating a Facebook and Instagram page to track the progress of the playground, from start to finish
Creating a dedicated website to alert people that an indoor playground is “Coming Soon”.
Upfront advertisements can help you alert inform people about an upcoming business.
Any kind of upfront, pre-opening advertising will help create excitement and anticipation surrounding this business venture. In addition to the passive advertising techniques listed above, consider some direct marketing as well, things such as:
Mail pieces to the community
Including discount coupons for admission
Perhaps a free drink, for all guests who arrive on opening day.
Select The Right Equipment
With the growing popularity of indoor playgrounds, there are many manufacturers of playground equipment to choose from. Quality and durability are important, as is safety. Before committing to any particular choice of equipment, it is important to thoroughly research each manufacturer.
In addition to cost, there are other considerations when selecting a manufacturer:
Which companies offer comprehensive warranties on equipment?
Which manufacturers include equipment assembly in their pricing package?
Do any of the manufacturers have local representation, such as a sales or service personnel, who can assist with questions and simple repairs and replacements?
Choosing the right equipment for your indoor playground will not only make the kids happy but also keep them safe.
It is also important to select equipment from manufacturers who prioritize the safety of their apparatus.
When running a business that includes playground equipment, amusement park rides, or sports related apparatus, safety must be of the highest concern.
Any reputable manufacturer should be able to produce paperwork certifying the safety of their equipment. This is a vital piece of the puzzle when putting together an indoor playground.
Understand The True Cost
It is impossible to create admission fees, invest in marketing, or price food items until the true cost of creating and running an indoor playground is established.
Many things need to be considered when determining the cost of the business. Renting a space and buying the equipment is only one small factor.
Not only are there licensing requirements and insurance guidelines; there are also plenty of other administrative and operational costs:
Utilities, such as electric and water
Free-Wi-Fi for customers
Salaries for staff
Cost for consumable materials
Cleaning supplies
Basic upkeep.
It can actually seem slightly overwhelming. By creating a list of estimated expenses, business owners can better manage and understand what drives cost.
Understand Safety Guidelines And Licensing
It is important for business owners to understand the safety concerns, as well as any local regulations regarding this type of business. Since indoor playgrounds can carry some inherent risks based on the physical nature of activities, it is critical to learn all there is to know about keeping customers safe.
Learn the requirements in terms of safety precautions, and any restrictions on the type, size, or height of the play equipment to ensure all regulatory guidelines are being met.
This is also a great time to start:
Pricing insurance
Obtaining any necessary licenses or permits
Hiring any supporting office staff, such as an accountant, business manager, or analyst to assist with:
Maintaining appropriate paperwork
Meeting all regulatory guidelines
Maintaining licensing information.
Invest In Strategic Marketing
This is where understanding the competition really comes in handy. While it is important to understand what your competitors offer that customers absolutely love; it is equally important to understand what customers aren’t getting, or don’t like, from the competition!
It is vital to find the customer’s “pain point”. A pain point is a defined weakness that prevents a customer from getting exactly what they want.
Find that, and marketing is a cinch!
A pain point can be anything. Perhaps competitive indoor playgrounds are charging a high per person rate. This can be an easy pain point to solve, even without lowering prices. Solid ways to address high prices from competitive businesses could be:
Offering a buy two, get one free rate
Offering customers a ½ price ticket for a return trip within 60 days
Offering a separate child’s ticket price vs. adult ticket price
Another big parental complaint about indoor playgrounds is the noise!
They are loud, with plenty of screaming, wild kids.
Creating an indoor playground that includes a quiet space for Mom and Dad could potentially be a huge selling point!
Next, the level of cleanliness.
Everyone has heard stories about how dirty ball pits really are!
Focusing on cleanliness and disinfecting the equipment could easily turn an indoor playground into a parental favor over the competition.
The important thing is to find out what matters most to the parents, and direct marketing to meet their needs and address their pain points! This is an easy way to differentiate a business from the competition.
Hire Talented People
It’s important to pick the right employees. For an indoor playground, ideally, employees should:
Love working with children
Be outgoing
Dependable
Fun.
For your indoor playground business, hire friendly and sociable professionals who love working with children.
It is important to select a few employees that are experienced with basic first aid, in the event of minor scrapes and scuffles.
Think about every area of the business that requires staffing:
Staff to handle admissions
Answer customer inquiries
Take phone calls.
Additional staff to:
Help run events and parties
Supervise games and equipment
Oversee the snack bar.
While some employees can fill more than one role, it is really important to have the right fit.
Turnover in employment is a huge business expense that can, with the right staff in place, be reduced dramatically.
The cost to advertise jobs, interview and train new people, pay salaries, buy uniforms, etc. It all adds up. By picking talented and dependable people, and treating them well, retaining employees is much easier.
The right employees will be equally invested in making the business a success.
Use Social Media For Promotion
Social media is an incredible tool.
Studies indicate that nearly 80% of Americans use some type of social media app.
Using social media to create excitement prior to opening is only the beginning!
To keep your followers involved in your business, use social media for sharing updates and special offers.
Creating regular updates, focusing on different aspects of the business, and offering small benefits, such as a reduced price one day a week, free beverage refills, or other little perks through social media keeps followers interested in the organization.
Plus, customer reviews are a great way to get free, positive advertising!
Creating regular social media posts and encouraging customers to leave comments about their experiences is the best free advertising in the world!
How Much Does It Cost To Build An Indoor Playground From The Ground Up?
This question is a bit hard to answer, as prices can vary tremendously depending on what the business offers.
However, there are certain factors that can create fluctuation in a pricing model. Let’s take a look at what they are and discuss each one in detail:
Location
Size
Age Range of Targeted Customers
Type of Activities Offered
Liability rates by location
Location
Obviously, opening an indoor playground in Los Angeles or New York City will cost a lot more money than opening one in Topeka, Kansas!
For the most part, indoor playgrounds require a large space, so in midsize to large cities, large spaces come with a premium price. It is important for potential business owners to research rental and purchase rates based on square footage in the targeted location.
Sometimes making a small change to a different zip code can save a good deal of money.
Taxes and rental rates vary widely depending on locations.
Location is one of the most important factors when creating a business, however, what may be considered a great location for a supermarket, may not be the best location for an indoor playground.
When considering costs, it is important to weigh the cost factor against the benefits of the selected location. For example, building an indoor playground off of a main thoroughfare, but close to well established family neighborhoods may cost less and work in favor of the business.
It is more important that kids and their parents find the location convenient, rather than ensuring that it’s on the busiest road in town.
Size of the Total Space
The size of an indoor playground can vary dramatically.
Playgrounds designed for toddlers and preschool-aged children can be considerably smaller than those that are designed with older kids, teens, and adults in mind.
The overall size of an indoor playground influences the costs of building it from the ground up.
For example, an indoor playground built for toddlers and preschoolers could be housed in a 2000 square foot space rather easily, including areas for parents to relax, a snack bar, and other amenities.
Conversely, a large scale, family size indoor playground can require spaces larger than even 15,000 square feet. It all depends on:
The type of activities included in the playground
The focal activities provided
The demographic the business is designed to serve.
Age Range of Targeted Customers
Age range will dramatically affect nearly every aspect of an indoor playground. From the overall size, to the types of services offered, to the number of customers serviced daily.
Age range is probably the single biggest factor in determining what an indoor playground will look like.
Indoor playgrounds for older kids will have to operate longer hours compared to the ones meant for toddlers.
Oftentimes, playgrounds designed for younger children operate almost like a traditional ‘Mommy and Me” class where parents and kids can pay an hourly rate for activities that are group led.
Since toddlers and preschoolers tire or need naps, this is a customer base that will not be spending all day inside, so creating 2 hours ‘appointment’ times can encourage a steady stream of patrons all day long and increase daily revenue over a more free form style of service.
The operating hours can mimic a basic workday in many cases, thus cutting costs in terms of salaries and staffing.
Obviously, indoor playgrounds catering to older kids and adults will need to operate longer hours and provide a variety of activities designed to keep kids and adults engaged and having fun for several hours at a time.
Types of Services Offered
While the age range of the targeted customer base will dramatically affect the size of the area needed, the customer demographics affect costs in other ways also.
The older the patron, the more extreme some of the activities need to be. For example, when attempting to appeal to older teens and adults, attractions such as indoor ziplines and indoor go-karts are much more expensive to design and run, but they bring in more revenue as well.
Admission prices can be based on general activities, with specialized services, such as ziplining, virtual reality play, and bowling, for example, charged separately from general admission.
Using this kind of a pricing model, the business can cater to both wealthier families as well as the more frugal. Offering a la carte services is a great way to build value and create additional revenue streams.
Additionally, indoor playgrounds can make money in other ways as well. Consider including an arcade.
Arcade games are easy to maintain and are easy money-makers.
Catering children’s birthday parties with a variety of package deals and services is also an easy extra revenue stream.
Watch which activities pull in the money. Then you can rotate out the activities that don’t create a significant revenue stream and bring in new ones!
Liability Insurance Costs
This is another tricky area.
Liability expenses to insure an indoor playground will vary widely based on location, along with the size and scope of the activities and services offered.
While insurance rates and maintaining liability insurance for a large scale indoor playground may seem daunting, the type of services offered should drive up costs for customers at a similar rate.
That is why it is important to keep an eye on popular activities, and quickly move out attractions that aren’t paying the bills.
Additionally, liability rates can vary dramatically between different insurers. It is very important to obtain at least 3 or more quotes when deciding on insurance.
Also important to note, there are usually different factors that can affect rates as well, such as special consideration or discounts provided by insurers. For example, some insurers will offer discounted rates to minority or women-owned businesses. Additionally, just like car insurance can be affected by certain safety factors, so can liability insurance for an indoor playground.
It is very important to take the time to review all quotes and discuss all options for providing liability for your business.
What About An Indoor Playground Franchise?
Another option for starting an indoor playground business is owning a franchise.
While at times, franchising can lower overall investment costs, it isn’t a guarantee. However, with a business model that is fairly complex, an indoor playground can be somewhat daunting for many small business owners.
Franchise ownership provides business owners with all the perks of owning and operating their own business, but with the strength and backing of a well-known name.
Benefits of a Franchise
There are many benefits to investing in a franchise, especially with a business like an indoor playground. In reviewing franchise operations for a mid-range indoor playground that services children from about age 2 to age 12, they offer several benefits to their franchise owners, such as:
Market Research
Lease Negotiations
Professional Installation
Design and Equipment
Training and Support
Discounts on Equipment and food/beverages
Territorial Protection
Advertising
Market Research
A well-established franchise already understands the market, and as such can provide new business owners with a wealth of information. For companies that have a long standing history, market research will consist of factors that as someone new to the industry, may not have even thought about!
Lease Negotiations
A large scale indoor playground company understands the value in terms of rental space, and they know exactly what it should cost to rent a building for their franchises.
Taking into account some of the market fluctuation in different areas of the country, franchise owners can rest assured that they will not be taken advantage of in terms of leasing prices. The franchise company should be true experts.
Professional Installation
Oftentimes franchise companies partner with a specific group of builders around the country or region to handle all of the builds and installations for their franchise owners. This allows the owner to sit back and let someone familiar with the equipment complete all the necessary installations.
There is no need to reach out to several installers, obtain quotes, customer feedback, etc. They can simply get the job done.
By investing in a franchise company, you will not have to spend too much time on searching for professional installers.
Design and Equipment
Again, franchise companies have the benefit of experience. They know what designs are most appealing to customers and they know which equipment and attractions are guest favorites. There is no guesswork here for the franchise owner. No worries about removing and replacing equipment that is not popular, as the business model has already been established.
Training and Support
It is hard to overestimate the benefit of good training and support.
Understanding an industry, the market, and demographic serviced by the business, not to mention what works and what doesn’t, is truly key to the overall success of a business.
With a successful franchise, owners have the benefit of being trained on what works! Previous owners have already gone through the trial and error, so the hard work has been done. Good franchise companies will offer ongoing support, particularly in the first couple of years, as the business owner truly gets up to speed.
Discounts
Whether it is equipment, rent, or food products, buying in large quantities usually means deep discounts. When working with a franchise business, the individual business owner gets the benefit of a large company’s buying power, even though they are only buying for their location.
By using specific vendors already contracted with the franchise, owners will pay well below cost for items.
Territorial Protection
Again, plenty of research has taught franchise companies what a territory needs, and doesn’t need, to be successful. As a franchise owner, you can be guaranteed that you won’t be crowded by additional franchise owners, as each territory is already defined.
Advertising
A well-recognized name and a good reputation are fantastic advertising. Franchise owners get the benefits of a familiar name, national advertising, as well as local support.
While they choose to increase advertising through social media, or on local radio, having the national support of a network of established advertising is almost like money in the bank.
What Playground Business Will You Start?
Ultimately, it is up to each individual person or business owner to decide what works best for them.
Many people prefer to have the support of a well-known company backing them as they start their own business endeavor. Other people want complete autonomy to create their own space, recognize their own vision, and have the freedom to do business however they choose.
Each method has its own risks and rewards. Either way, the indoor playground industry has continued to grow and develop over the past 2 or 3 decades and shows no signs of stopping any time soon!
