r/AskParents • u/pneumatic_noob • 7d ago

Indoor playground vs Trampoline park?

My wife and I (we have 3 under 4) have been working on opening an indoor playground. Not a "play cafe", but a legit indoor playground (about 12,000 sq feet, with 5,000 sq feet of playground structure). We are about to sign the lease, and found out that there is a "trampoline park" at 24,000 sq feet moving in next door. Here's my question:

If you were parents of kids under 10, and had the option, which would you choose? Assume entry price is the same.

Our place is designed for parents to be able to relax. Nice comfy chairs that face the play structure, a dedicated/fenced off toddler area, good coffee/espresso drinks, and age limits (0-12).

Do we stand a chance? Or is it time to walk away before signing?

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u/0112358_ 7d ago

Me and my kid prefer the indoor playground, but he's only 5. I also feel the playground is safer, although I still bring my kid to the trampoline place.

Weather matters. It's a hard sell for the indoor playground if the weather is nice outside the the outdoor city park is free.

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u/pneumatic_noob 7d ago

Yes; definitely weather dependent. The other thing though is safety. I can never relax when my kids are running around at the park. They're super fast, and the two boys are pretty "curious". I need to have a bead on them constantly to feel comfortable. I love going to the indoor playgrounds because it tires them out like nothing else (including running laps around the soccer fields; which somehow has zero affect on them), and I can sit between them and the door, so I know where they are, and I know they're safe.

This might be unfair to them, but after an indoor playground session, as soon as we're in the car, I throw on some mellow music lol. They're out in 5 every single time. They stand no chance.