Case Studies: Successful Custom Indoor Playgrounds

Case Studies: Successful Custom Indoor Playgrounds

Why custom indoor playgrounds win: intent, equipment, and experience

Operators choose custom indoor playgrounds because they solve a set of commercial problems: attracting repeat families, maximizing per-visit spend, extending dwell time, and creating adaptable attractions year-round. Success depends heavily on two linked elements: the quality and relevance of indoor play equipment and the holistic design that aligns play elements with business objectives (safety, throughput, resale value).

Key KPIs: what to measure when evaluating indoor play equipment projects

Before reviewing case studies, it helps to establish measurable goals. Common KPIs that determine success for custom indoor playground projects include:

• Monthly footfall and repeat-visitor rate
• Average spend per head (admissions, F&B, birthday bookings, merchandise)
• Utilization rate of play zones during peak and off-peak
• Safety incident rates and maintenance downtime
• Payback period and ROI

Operators who measure these consistently can make data-driven adjustments to layout, staffing, and indoor play equipment mix to improve outcomes faster.

Case Study 1: Family Entertainment Center (FEC) — urban retrofit using modular indoor play equipment

Project brief: A 1,200 m² urban FEC in a mid-sized city needed to convert an underperforming retail floor into a family destination. Objectives were to increase weekday traffic, create a birthday party revenue stream, and maintain strict safety compliance.

Solution highlights:

• Modular soft-play structure with multi-age zones (toddlers, 3–6, 7+), allowing flexible supervision and ticket tiers.
• Integrated café with sightlines across play areas to extend dwell time.
• Durable surfacing and easy-clean materials to reduce maintenance time and comply with hygiene standards.

Outcomes (first 12 months):

• Footfall increased by 38% compared to the previous retail tenants.
• Birthday bookings accounted for 22% of revenue within one year.
• Operating costs reduced through modular repairs and targeted staff scheduling.

Case Study 2: Trampoline Park expansion — combining trampoline zones and adventure indoor play equipment

Project brief: A suburban trampoline park wanted to broaden its appeal to younger families and improve weekday utilization by adding a soft-play and adventure zone adjacent to trampoline courts.

Solution highlights:

• Small-footprint indoor play equipment (multi-level climbing modules, slides, ball pits) placed in a supervised 'splash' zone next to the café.
• Cross-promotional ticket bundles and family passes.
• Clear operational separation (soft play for under-8, trampolines for older kids) to reduce safety risk and increase parental confidence.

Outcomes (first 9 months):

• Weekday attendance grew by 27% with improved family visitation.
• Average transaction value increased 18% due to bundled sales and F&B spend.

Case Study 3: Indoor Theme Park — experiential design with custom indoor play equipment

Project brief: A leisure operator sought a mid-sized indoor theme park (5,000+ m²) centered on a storytelling concept to drive seasonal events and higher-ticket admissions.

Solution highlights:

• Custom themed indoor play equipment: interactive climbing structures, immersive soft-ride zones, thematic sensory areas for early-years development.
• Layered ticketing: general admission, High Quality experiences, birthday and group packages.
• Operational design that supports daily shows and capacity management.

Outcomes (first 18 months):

• High season occupancy rose above 85% on targeted dates with strong weekday utilization through school programs.
• High Quality experiences and events contributed 35% of total revenue in peak months.

Comparative outcomes: indoor play equipment impact (aggregated projects)

The table below summarizes aggregated outcomes from custom indoor playground projects similar to those above. These figures are representative of measured client projects and are intended to illustrate typical ranges of improvement after a professional design + equipment fitout.

Sources for aggregated outcomes: internal project analytics and operational reporting from completed projects (see sources list).

Design lessons: choosing the right indoor play equipment mix

Design decisions should be led by target audience analysis and business model. Practical guidelines:

• Segment by age: dedicate clear zones for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children to support safe supervision and ticketing tiers.
• Prioritize durability and maintainability: choose materials and finishes that are easy to clean and repair — uptime equals revenue.
• Design for sightlines: parents should be able to oversee children from seating areas; this increases comfort and dwell time.
• Offer modular and scalable equipment: phased expansion lets operators manage capital and learn visitor behavior before full roll-out.
• Integrate F&B and retail adjacency to capture incremental spend without obstructing flow.

Operational best practices tied to equipment choices

Indoor play equipment affects staffing, cleaning schedules, and safety protocols. Operators should:

• Define staff-to-child ratios per zone and ensure staff are trained on the specific equipment (e.g., trampoline spotting, multi-level play rescues).
• Schedule regular maintenance windows and maintain a spare-parts plan for high-wear components.
• Use signage and soft barriers to control flow and reduce overcrowding in high-demand features.
• Collect usage data (entry counts by zone, dwell time) to inform future equipment upgrades or reconfiguration.

Why choose a full-service partner for indoor play equipment

Working with an integrated provider (design, manufacture, installation, after-sales service) reduces risk and shortens time-to-open. A single trusted partner can align creative vision with code requirements and streamline warranties, training, and spare parts provisioning.

About Guangzhou Feifan Amusement Equipment Co., Ltd. (FEI FAN)

Guangzhou Feifan Amusement Equipment Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. We are a comprehensive indoor playground equipment manufacturer that integrates design, research and development, production, sales, and service. And we have a modern factory building of 6400m² and a 5800 m² office building. Our company's main products include indoor playgrounds, trampoline park equipment, and outdoor amusement equipment. We are committed to creating high-end indoor and outdoor children's amusement equipment and enjoy a high reputation both at home and abroad. We look forward to working together with customers to create a better childhood!

FEI FAN is committed to becoming a global leader in the children's play equipment industry, with a core belief in creating joyful, safe, and imaginative spaces for every child. Through professional design, high-quality manufacturing, and fully customized services, we deliver efficient, one-stop indoor playground solutions for clients around the world. We are not just manufacturers—we are creators of joyful experiences, enablers of parent-child interaction, and companions in child development.

FEI FAN's strengths aligned with the case studies

How FEI FAN helps operators achieve the results shown above:

• End-to-end service: concept, 3D design, manufacturing of indoor play equipment, installation, and after-sales maintenance.
• Custom manufacturing capacity: in-house production allows tailored thematic elements, scalable modular systems, and reliable spare parts.
• Compliance and safety: products designed to international safety standards with material traceability and documentation.
• Operational guidance: FEI FAN works with clients to match equipment selection to desired KPIs and offers operational training and maintenance plans.

Core product lines: indoor playground, trampoline park, Indoor Theme Park

FEI FAN’s main product categories support a range of business models:

• Indoor playgrounds: soft play modules, climbing frames, slides, toddler zones designed with age segmentation and safety in mind.
• Trampoline park equipment: integrated trampoline courts, foam pits, dodgeball arenas, parkour areas engineered for high throughput.
• Indoor Theme Parks: large-scale, themed play structures and interactive installations combining entertainment, F&B, and ticketed attractions.

These product lines are backed by FEI FAN’s manufacturing scale, quality control, and customizable design services—key competitive strengths for operators seeking turnkey indoor play equipment solutions.

Implementation checklist for operators considering a custom indoor playground

Before committing, use this short checklist to vet designs and suppliers:

• Do the proposed zones align with target demographics and ticketing strategies?
• Are materials and finishes rated for commercial use and easy cleaning?
• Does the supplier provide installation, staff training, and spare parts support?
• Is there a clear maintenance plan and documented safety certifications?
• Can the design be phased or expanded as demand grows?

FAQ — Common questions about custom indoor playground projects

Q: How long does it take to design and install a custom indoor playground?

A: Typical timelines vary by scale. Small-to-mid projects (800–1,500 m²) often take 8–14 weeks from final design approval to handover. Larger theme parks or multi-zone projects can take 16–30 weeks. Timelines depend on custom elements, permitting, and shipping.

Q: What certifications and safety standards should indoor play equipment meet?

A: Look for compliance with regional standards such as EN 1176/1177 (Europe) for playground equipment and impact attenuating surfaces, ASTM standards (US), and local building and fire codes. Reputable manufacturers provide test reports and material certificates.

Q: How do I estimate ROI for a new indoor playground?

A: Build a simple model including capital cost, projected monthly visitors, average spend per visitor, operating costs (staff, rent, utilities), and conservative seasonality estimates. Many operators see payback in 8–24 months depending on scale and market demand.

Q: Can indoor play equipment be reconfigured if visitor behavior changes?

A: Yes. Choose modular systems and movable partitions to allow reconfiguration. This reduces future capital expense and lets operators respond to data about which zones perform best.

Contact and next steps — see FEI FAN solutions in action

If you’re planning a new indoor playground, trampoline park, or indoor theme park, start with a performance-driven brief: target audience, budget, site constraints, and desired KPIs. FEI FAN offers professional feasibility studies, 3D design mockups, and turnkey delivery to help you reach your goals.

Contact our sales team to discuss custom indoor play equipment solutions or to request a product catalogue and case study pack. View product ranges and request a quote from FEI FAN to begin planning your project today.

Sources

1. Guangzhou Feifan Amusement Equipment internal project data and operational reports (2017–2024).
2. International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) industry trend reports.
3. Market reports on indoor playground and family entertainment center trends (industry analyses 2020–2023).