15 Tips to Start Kids Play Center Business

15 Tips to Start Kids Play Center Business

15 Tips to Start Kids Play Center Business :This is one of the most profitable and emerging business nowadays. However, the business demands substantial capital investment to start.

You have to invest money for securing a good retail space and for purchasing the equipment.

Starting a Kids Play Center in Nigeria requires the location, equipment, and all the proper insurance and licensing your state requires.

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Kids Play Center in Nigeria for children are popular locations for parents with toddlers and young kids.

These gyms offer a fun secure location where kids can challenge themselves, meet new friends and learn new skills.

Options to open a children’s indoor playground include buying into a franchise or starting your own independent gym. Once you know the brand direction, you need to acquire equipment and all the proper state registrations.

1.Franchise or Independent Brand

Many franchise opportunities are available when it comes to indoor playgrounds.

The Gymboree franchises developed Mommy and Me classes that made the franchise sought after.

MyGym offers classes but has more unstructured playtime hours.

We Rock the Spectrum specializes in children on the autism spectrum and other special needs, though anyone is welcome to come and play.

All of these franchises have a proven system that works.

If you want to operate as a franchise of a well-known chain, you pay a franchise fee plus royalties from your business to the parent company in exchange for the use of the company’s name and startup assistance.

Even with a franchise, you still have other out-of-pocket costs such as a lease, labour and insurance.

You need a location that is large enough and meets all building code and safety standards.

If after looking at the franchise opportunities that are available, you decide to establish your own brand, develop a concept that kids will want to flock to.

Perhaps you supplement playtime with princess parties or craft classes. Establish something that makes your brand unique.

Start Kids Play Center Business 

2. Register the Business

The administrative part of starting the business means registering it with the secretary of state and then obtaining a tax identification number.

These are required before you can obtain any of the state licensing needed.

Contact a commercial insurance agent to obtain the proper liability and property insurance.

If you have employees, you’re required to have workers’ compensation insurance as well.

3. Get a Licensing

Kids Play Center in Nigeria are not child care facilities. Parents don‘t drop off their children to be watched by someone else.

Because of this, most states don’t have specific licensing requirements.

But you should check with your local city business planning department to confirm.

For example, Chicago requires a Children’s Activity Facility permit.

Start Kids Play Center Business

4. Operations and Equipment

Secure the location and design the layout.

Make sure the equipment you purchase fits in the location and that the place doesn’t get too crowded.

Most indoor playgrounds have a mix of bounce houses, slides, rock walls and jungle gyms as well as ball pits, puzzle areas and dress up sections.

Determine your pricing structure for day passes, sibling discounts and punch cards or monthly passes.

Also, establish prices for any classes or parties and what those include.

Make sure parents understand that supervision is required of their children at all times.

To keep everything clean and everyone healthy, require all patrons – kids and parents – to remove their shoes before entering the gym and to wear socks.

Create a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting all areas of the gym.

Have sections away from the play area for food and drinks and set up changing stations in the bathrooms.

Start Kids Play Center Business

5. Advertising the New Gym

Any new venture won‘t succeed without a solid marketing and advertising plan.

Look for local parent organizations such as mom’s clubs or lactation providers where new parents meet and share ideas.

Give a special introductory offer to the group and maybe host a special play date afternoon just for their children.

Take to social media. While ads and general announcements work, find parent groups to join.

 Share useful tips on parenting and teaching positive play.

Be a participant – not just someone trying to sell playground tickets.

Offer specials for parties or special rainy day offers. Become a resource for parents, and they will help spread the word for your new facility.

Thinking of starting your own indoor playground business? The process is simplier than you may think and you have picked the right time to do it.

Kids Play Centers are becoming the newest “big thing” that are rapidly spreading across the world. Kids Play Center International will be here to help you every step of the way from concept to completion and everything in between. Please see more of our tips for opening your new Kids Play Center business in Nigeria below:

Read also: How to start crèche business 

6. Market Research

You will need to gather information about your community and basic market data such as:

• The need for an indoor playground in your community
• How many children are in your community (typically ages 0-12)?
• Do you live in a community with many tourists?
• What does your competition look like? Is there any?
• If you have competition, then what can you do to differentiate yourself from the competition?
• What will you charge your customers? What are your competitor’s charging?
• How much is it to rent or purchase the space you will need?
• How large of a space do you think you will need?

7. Data Analysis & Business Plan

• You can use the data you collected in your market research in order to calculate some very simple analysis such as your break-even analysis, start-up expenses, and 3 year projections.
• From these analysis you can use this data to create a business plan.
• If you plan to attract investors or get a business loan you will surely need a good business plan.
• Indoor Playgrounds International can help you with this step of the process if needed.

Start Kids Play Center Business 

8. Find a Location

• Location Location Location…. we all know that the location can be crucial to the success of a new business.
• If possible pick a high traffic area such as near a mall or shopping center.
• If you live in a high tourist area then pick a location next to where tourists might come in/out of your town.
• When looking for a building keep in mind that if you want to make you play structure tall you need a tall building.
• For a 3 story play structure you will need at least 15 feet of unobstructed height in your building. Also look for any obstructions in the building where the play structure will go.
• Remember every city/town/state is different and the best location can vary from place to place.

9. Design Your Playground

• Decided where in your space you want the playground to be.
• Remember to think of things like party rooms, eating areas, areas for couches or tables & chairs for parents to sit and relax.
• Get a floor plan and/or measurements of your location and contact Indoor Playground International to obtain a custom quote10.

10. Financing

• If you need help with financing please contact us. We work with many finance companies that can lease the equipment for you so you can free up your cash flow for other areas of your business.
• If you are looking for something other than a lease we might be able to point you in the right direction for that as well. Just contact us and we will do anything we can to help.

Start Kids Play Center Business 

11. Ordering & Production

• Once your design is finalized you will sign a contract with us and pay your deposit.
• At this time the production of your playground will begin. We will keep you updated every step of the way while your playground is being manufactured.

12. Site Preparation

• While we are busy manufacturing your indoor playground you can prepare your site for the installation and opening of your new business.
• These things can include: interior decorating, staff training and recruiting, and preparing ads and promotions.

Start Kids Play Center Business

13. Inspection & Shipping

• Our playgrounds are manufactured in China and you are more than welcome to visit the factory to inspect your finished product before shipment. This would also be a great opportunity for you to receive some free training on playground maintenance and service.
• We will provide full shipping services door to door for your playground including customs clearance.

14. Installation

Our crew of professional playground installers will come to you location to install your playground shortly after arrival of the equipment.

15. Grand Opening & Ongoing Maintenance

After the grand opening of your new indoor playground, Indoor Playgrounds International will continue to provide you superior support and service which includes your product warranty, maintenance support, new product discounts, and any other ideas and resources you may need to continue to run a successful business.

See also: How to start daycare business in Nigeria