I’ve always loved the idea of creating a space where families can hang out, kids can play safely, and parents can enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Lately, I’ve been thinking seriously about opening a play cafe in my community, but I’m feeling a bit lost on where to start!
I know there’s a lot to think about, like designing the perfect play area, coming up with a family-friendly menu, and dealing with the legal stuff like permits and licenses. But I’m not sure exactly what permits I need for something like this.
If any of you have experience with starting a small business or know about play cafes specifically, I would love to hear your advice! What should I think about before jumping in? Are there common problems I should be prepared for?
Any tips, resources, or even some encouragement would be really appreciated as I try to figure out how to make this dream happen. Thanks in advance!
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My husband and I started an indoor playground in our town this year! We don’t have a ton of data yet since we’ve only been open for 5 months, but I’m happy to share what I can that might help you get started.
Besides the usual business advice, I would say get really clear on what exactly you want. What kind of equipment do you want to offer? What age groups are you focusing on? What families are you hoping to attract? Once you figure that out, it’ll be easier to find a location and get insurance quotes. Speaking of insurance, it might be a little tricky – there aren’t many underwriters for this kind of business.
As far as challenges, be ready for a lot of ups and downs. Some days might be so slow you wonder if it’s worth it, while other days could get way too busy. It’s good to have a plan for how to manage capacity and handle situations where you have to turn people away. Also, make sure you know how to handle situations where someone might need to be asked to leave.
Check out Play Cafe Academy on YouTube – it’s got lots of helpful info. Good luck! This is a fun and rewarding thing to do for your community!
Keagan said: @Abi
This is amazing! Thank you so much for all the advice. I do have a question – is the capacity number based on square footage?
In the US, it’s based on square footage and a few other things, like exits. The fire department will handle that – it’s usually one of the last things you do before you open. You’ll want to have any permanent installations in place before they come to check.
@Abi
Thanks for the info! I found a spot I’m interested in, but it’s only 1,175 sqft. I’m worried the occupancy limit might be too small because the place is smaller.
Keagan said: @Abi
Thanks for the info! I found a spot I’m interested in, but it’s only 1,175 sqft. I’m worried the occupancy limit might be too small because the place is smaller.
That might not be a deal breaker. What do your expenses look like? What kind of equipment are you planning to have? It could be that a smaller number of kids won’t be an issue.
You should definitely call your local town hall to ask what permits you’ll need – that’s a great first step. Also, get in touch with an insurance broker to find out what kind of liability insurance they recommend. The insurance company might even give you a list of permits you’ll need.
Just so you know, this kind of business is usually low-margin and has high failure rates in the first year. It’s a fun idea, but it’s not as low stress as it might seem from the outside. Just something to keep in mind.
This idea is awesome! My first concern, though, would be a kid getting hurt and then a lawsuit coming your way. You’d need to make sure you have something in place to limit your liability in case of accidents.