Turning your indoor play area into a great success story
Whether your commercial indoor playground is already up and running, about to open or still in the planning stages, Play In Business’ advice on attracting and retaining customers will always be relevant. With our 25 years of experience as an indoor playground manufacturer and operator, we understand all the ups and downs of the business. As indoor playgrounds have become increasingly popular, the competition is fierce. Here are our best tips to stay on top of the game.
The basics for an attractive indoor play area
Two factors are crucial to make your commercial indoor playground business an attractive venue: location and thematic. Your location needs to be strategically considered. Accessibility and scalability are important, as are the activities around the playground. For example, building near a restaurant, DIY store, garden centre, shopping centre or visible from a busy road will bring you a certain number of customers. Then, having a unique and engaging theme is also important. For example, creating a jungle-themed playground with artificial trees, vines, and animals can be an exciting experience for children. Similarly, an underwater theme with sea creatures and colourful coral reefs can be a great way to attract both children and parents. Differentiating your indoor playground from others and offering a memorable and unique experience will bring the success you are looking for.
What kind of activities should a successful commercial indoor playground have?
The activities on offer should be modern, fun, varied and aimed at as many people as possible. Ideally, the indoor play area should have several segments: one for toddlers, one for teenagers and one for adults. In this way, the indoor playground becomes a family outing. It is always best to see your playground strategy as an evolving matter. A playground with modular games will keep your offer fresh and fun for all. You need to give your customers a great variety of experiences.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of games to make your indoor play equipment stand out:
- slides
- trampolines
- tunnels
- ball pits
- climbing structures
- boxing bags
- inflatables
- ninja courses
- pedal or electric go-kart tracks
- interactive games, and many more…
You have to generate interest for both new and regular visitors. This is why you have to keep up to date on trends in the industry and always keep you priority audience in mind.
Your commercial indoor playground needs the best customer service
Providing excellent customer service is crucial to attracting and retaining customers, and for your reputation. Parents want to feel that their children are safe and well looked after. While it is true that indoor playground employees mostly work on a seasonal basis, you can still take steps to ensure you are hiring the best candidates. Look for people who are happy to help others, with good eye contact and a friendly disposition. Employees have to show genuine interest to work in an indoor play area that can be quite a loud and energetic environment. By providing attentive staff who interact with both children and parents, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that all will appreciate. Offering amenities such as free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and clean restrooms and walkways can also improve the customer experience and encourage children, teenagers, and parents to return.
Promote your commercial indoor playground in the most efficient way
Advertising is essential. You can place ads in local newspapers and radio stations, post flyers around your indoor playground and in places where young people go, use your mascot in strategic places, or invite a local celebrity to visit your venue. Social media can be an effective tool for promotion. By creating an active social media presence, you can showcase your indoor play equipment and its unique features, and engage with potential visitors. Share photos and videos of children playing and encourage parents to share their experiences. Offering exclusive discounts and promotions to followers can also encourage them to visit often. Birthday parties and other celebrations are another excellent way to attract customers and generate revenue for your indoor play area. By offering different party packages with a variety of activities and amenities, you can cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences. Hosting special events such as character meet and greets, holiday celebrations or themed nights attracts visitors and creates an instant buzz around your venue.
As we have seen, attracting customers to a commercial indoor playground requires a combination of factors. By offering a memorable and engaging experience for children and parents alike, you can differentiate your indoor play area from others and create a loyal customer base. Remember to continuously evaluate and improve your offerings to keep up with changing needs and preferences, and always take good care of your indoor play equipment to provide maximum play security.
