Play Centres - Business Idea?

[fionas]

I went to a play centre today and it was bloody fantastic. Big space - toys and slides and climbing stuff and bouncy castles galore and lots of room for prams and a little cafe as well. Entry was $6.

Now I'm always on the lookout for business ideas, so much so that my friends often tell me about good ideas and then say tongue-in-cheek, "possible business idea there Fiona" so of course my mind started weighing that one up too.

The only thing was though, it wasn't very busy but it SHOULD be. Maybe they just haven't promoted it very well.

So my question is, d'you have anything similar near you and does it look busy when you go?

[krysalyss]

There was one we went to in Brisbane. It was ok but a lot of the toys were old and there was no cafe. We go to one up here in Rockhampton and it is really good. There are usually a few families in there. They have really busy times like when they hold mothers groups/playgroups and on weekends. Holidays are too busy for us. I think they are really great and done right would be a good business. This one has separate rooms to host kids parties etc.

[C~Q]

I've been to a few different ones. Some older and not very clean looking but some really shiny newer ones. The best one i've been to on the Coast had a cafe running along one side which was floor to ceiling sound proof glass!! It was great - we could see them but couldn't hear them lol!

I think the biggest hurdle with something like that would be the insurance - it would be pretty huge I would imagine...

Also it'd be good to have one with healthy options for food instead of the usual sandwhiches, chip, wedges, nachos etc

[Lulu]

There are a couple out here and although they are pretty great, they are always near dead during the week (which is why I go then!). Unless they make craploads on the weekends with birthday parties, I've always wondered how they pay the rent.

I think a good business plan and DECENT bloody food would go a long, long way...

[mrsmac]

One of DD's friends parents had one near us which only lasted under a year, it was just too expensive to run. I find Lollipops are always busy and quite expensive TBH but the smaller ones seem to come and go.

[Phteven]

My ideal play center

• Fantastic coffee
• Healthy food options
• An area that is closed off for the very small people to play without having to worry about being knocked over by a bigger child
• Some comfy sofas - not just the hard chairs
• The daily broadsheet
• Wireless access so working mums can bring their lap-tops (for the BB addicts too lol)
• A merry-go-round
• No loud Wiggles/Hi-5 etc

Our favourite is Lollipops in Strathfield. It's nearly always fairly busy and on Saturdays we avoid it unless we're going to a birthday party because it is chockers. They have after-school care too so we clear out at 3 because after that there are lots of school age kids going nuts on the equipment. The boys also like the Wiggles one but I find the constant wiggley bombardment a bit much.

[Salsa]

Fiona, I know the one you mean (i live in Northcote too). We have been there once during the school hols when DS friend from school invited him. Me and DH were surprised that it was a playcentre thingy when DS was invited because we have walked past many times and got the impression it was shut or only for private party hire. Now that we know what it is we will go there a few times I think - will be good when baby arrives for DS to have a run about and during winter mths too.
I did not think it was very busy either though and I went during the term break... I have been to these types of places in the UK and NZ and they sometimes are busy and sometimes not. As i have only been to the Northcote one once I cant really say - about half the table were being used and there were 1 -2 kids in the little kids bit.
The coffee wasnt great, but I was happy overall with the set up and admission price ( cause it was unlimited, some of those places have entry for limited time ie; $6 for 2 hrs).
Business wise, if I were running a place like that or owned it, I would have a few changes made. But as a customer I was happy enough.

[alioops]

The lollipops up her in Townsville is busier than any playcafe that I had ever been to in Adelaide. It comes down to the type of environment to me. most of the ones near us in adelaide were small and dingy, and there was only 1 big one, but that was 40km away. I do think they need to be a little more common, and placed in areas where there are lots of young families. I find Lollipops have placed themselves in areas with lots of families, and therefore get the business.

[fionas]

Wow, what a load of good ideas in here for ultimate play centres!

[Astrid]

My local one is quite large. It is resonably quiet during the week, but on the weekends it is so busy, especially if there are parties on. It is for sale if you want it

Healthy food choices are great and also cheaper ones. After the $7 entry it can get a bit expensive to be buying too much. I am sure one day I spent over $20 on food and drink over a couple of hours. Heating is also good, this one is so cold at times, not fun when the main times you go are when it is to cold to go to the park.

[fionas]

Thanks for the tip Astrid. I have tried convincing my train driver (and nut) DP that we could run one together and he could give up his job and drive a miniature train (toot toot) around the play centre instead. Still have a bit of work to go on that LOL!

[Ginger]

we need one out here that is clean, bright and airy,has excellent coffee, comfy couches and decent healthy food. if you do it i promise i'll bring my mothers' group every week!