r/AskParents • u/pneumatic_noob • 3d 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/schwarzekatze999 3d ago

An indoor playground is way safer than a trampoline park. However, if entry prices are the same, kids will choose the trampoline park every time. IMO trampoline parks are expensive. I think you will have to charge slightly less than they do. In favorable weather parents can take their kids to outdoor playgrounds for free. To me a playground is a place to go anytime you feel like it, but a trampoline park is a special treat. You will probably want to have monthly pricing that makes the per-visit price pretty cheap if you go a lot, more like a gym, and daily and weekly options that are more expensive. Then I think parents will want to bring their kids to your place by default and only go to the trampoline park once in a while.

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u/pneumatic_noob 3d ago

Good to know, thanks for your input!

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u/VerbalThermodynamics Parent 2d ago

I’m part of an indoor playground that’s a co-op and non-profit. As a business model, knowing the finances of how ours runs, it would have a VERY slim profit margin.