Planning out your own dreamland play center is a big task. Often, people become excited about building “something kids will love” but forget about the details that go into creating a safe and profitable place to play.
Jumping into business without some preparation can lead to costly mistakes that may be avoidable. Starting an indoor playground will require you to do your research, plan carefully, and partner with professionals who specialize in attraction & entertainment solutions.
This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to open your own play center and how our team at Next Level Parks can partner with you every step of the way.
Writing your business plan is a great way to identify specific details regarding your company structure, sales & marketing strategy, and overall workflow. Consider:
Developing your own indoor playground business plan can help you foresee obstacles and reach your financial goals. This document will also be critical when applying for a business loan.
Try including the following segments in your plan:
Loan officers need to see that you know the overhead costs of running an indoor playground. Including your estimated expenses & sales funnels in your business plan will help you appear professional — and prepare you for future success!
Nothing is more grim than a playground no one visits. Determining the wants and needs of your neighbors is crucial to your success.
Are parents looking for a safe place to throw birthday parties? Do they need a place to take their kids while they work from home?
Start by looking at populations of children within a 10- to 15-mile radius of your intended location. A great way to identify target audiences is by combing through census data to locate neighborhoods saturated with kids 12 and under.
From here, assess the other recreation options in your area. public spaces, trampoline parks, and museum play areas are just a few. Once you can identify a gap in the playground market, you can position your business as the solution.
Here’s something to consider: It’s a rule of thumb that people won’t drive more than 5 miles to play indoors. You have your radius and your audience — now you can give them what they need.
Kids will come to your playground, sure. But who will you truly be servicing? Anyone who comes through your doors is a customer.
You got into this because you want to make kids happy — but it’s the adults who need to be impressed. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are the ones you’ll need to please if you want a repeat business.
So what will keep these customers content while their kids play? Free coffee? Tables or chairs to have a seat, wide-open views of the play structures? High-speed internet?
Identifying your target customer will help you design your space & sales strategy. Below are a few examples of target audiences you can appeal to.
Securing commercial space, equipment costs, construction fees, and the rest will be expensive. You’ll need enough working capital to cover lease deposits, interior build-outs — and of course, your high-quality playground equipment.
The bulk of your start-up costs will go towards purchasing equipment from a trustworthy indoor playground equipment manufacturer. Well-built, commercial-grade structures should last upwards of 10 years with proper maintenance. Cheaply made playground equipment isn’t safe, nor is it worth your investment.
Your options for financing usually come down to the following:
Consider reaching out to an indoor playground equipment supplier to see if they offer financing options. Never start construction without a “soft quote” from your playground supplier. Not only will this help you finalize your financial calculations, but most bank officers require an estimate for your equipment costs.
Children + high-traffic spaces = lots of liability. Before you even think about opening your doors, there are several licenses and permits you’ll need to obtain.
First, you’ll want to register your business as an LLC or S-Corp and get your federal EIN.
From there, here are some permits you should look into:
Always double-check that your business meets all local, state, and federal regulations.
Zoning codes can vary city to city, so it’s best to consult with a lawyer who specializes in commercial real estate.
If people can’t find you, then you won’t get much traffic. When scouting a commercial space, look for high-traffic locations near “family stops” like grocery stores, toy shops, and pediatricians.
Here are some construction specifications to look for when purchasing your business premises.
Higher rent can be worth it if you put yourself in a position to spend less money on marketing. Being located in a high-traffic shopping plaza will increase your “drive-by” awareness.
Perhaps the most enjoyable step of starting an indoor playground is the design process. You’ll have the opportunity to create custom floor plans to utilize every inch of square footage.
Prevent bumping and collisions by creating smooth traffic patterns. A well-thought-out floor plan will eliminate these dead zones and allow staff members to easily keep an eye on kids at all times.
Designing a themed environment is also a great way for parents to remember your playground. Next Level Parks provides professionally crafted 3D renderings that allow you to visualize how equipment will fit your building.
Creating a safety checklist for your indoor playground is essential to ensure that your customers can play in a secure, hazard-free environment, all while keeping your business compliant with safety standards and reducing liabilities.
Starting an indoor playground from scratch is an admirable goal. Next Level Parks is here to provide you with the tools and support needed to flourish in your new venture. As an experienced indoor playground manufacturer, we know what it takes to design fun, safe attractions that your community will enjoy for years to come.
Our team of experts will partner with you from concept to installation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help take your commercial space to the next level!
Want To Know More? Download our Brochure to receive a breakdown of our commercial indoor playground equipment solutions.
