Earning 200,000 RMB Annually with an Indoor Playground? A Complete Guide from Equipment Selection to Operation

Amid the booming parent-child consumption market, opening an indoor playground (naughty castle) has emerged as a promising venture for many entrepreneurs, with the aspiration of earning 200,000 RMB annually driving many to enter the field. Yet achieving this goal is no easy feat—every step, from early equipment selection to long-term operation and management, plays a vital role. Below is a detailed breakdown for you.

I. Precise Equipment Selection: Laying the Foundation for Profitability

(1) Age-Based Zoning Configuration

-Toddler Zone (1-3 years old): Children in this age group have limited motor coordination and cognitive abilities, so facilities should prioritize simplicity and safety. Examples include:

- Padded climbing ladders (height controlled within 1 m for easy climbing);

- Mini slides (gentle slopes to ensure safety);

- Sensory touch walls (featuring different materials and textures to stimulate children’s sensory development).

- Preschool Zone (3-6 years old): With improved mobility, children can handle more engaging facilities:

Medium slides (1.5-2 m in height for added fun);

- Ball pools (60 cm deep, equipped with interactive projection games to spark exploration).

- School-Age Zone (6-12 years old): Children here seek challenges and excitement, so suitable facilities include:

- Volcano climbing walls (inclination <75° to balance adventure and safety);

- Spiral slides and obstacle courses (to enhance physical fitness and problem-solving skills).

(2) Choosing Popular & High-Quality Equipment

- Follow Trends: Introduce internet-famous equipment:

- Rainbow slides (vibrant colors with strong visual appeal, serving as a signature attraction for kids and parents);

- Interactive ball-throwing walls (combining technology and entertainment, allowing kids to practice hand-eye coordination while enabling parental participation—effectively extending visitor stay time).

Prioritize Quality: Safety is paramount. Avoid quotes 30% lower than market price, as such equipment may be second-hand or made of inferior padded materials, posing significant safety risks. Opt for equipment that meets relevant safety standards, uses non-toxic eco-friendly materials, and has a stable structure.

II. Scientific Operation & Management: Unlocking Profit Potential

(1) Cost Control Strategies

- Venue Rental: Location directly impacts foot traffic and costs. Prime spots (large malls with >50,000 daily visitors or around mid-to-high-end communities with >3,000 children within 3 km) are ideal but costly. Negotiate with malls for a "minimum guaranteed rent + revenue share" model to reduce off-season risks; for community stores, cooperate with property management to secure rent discounts by positioning as a "children’s supporting service."

- Equipment Procurement:

- Choose modular equipment (flexible for site layout adjustments and phased investment to ease financial pressure);

- Sign "lease-purchase" agreements with manufacturers, or buy second-hand equipment that has passed third-party safety inspections.

-  Staffing: Adopt a "full-time staff for peak hours + part-timers for regular hours" model. Use intelligent reservation systems to regulate foot traffic and arrange manpower rationally, cutting labor costs.

(2) Diversified Revenue Streams

- Diversify Card & Ticket Types: Beyond standard single tickets, monthly cards, and annual cards, offer tiered stored-value cards:

- Silver Card (500 RMB), Gold Card (2,000 RMB), and Black Gold Card (5,000 RMB), each with exclusive benefits (e.g., Black Gold Card holders get access to private party rooms and priority event participation);

- Implement a points system (points redeemable for toys or cash discounts) to stimulate repeat consumption.

- Value-Added Services:

- Launch themed party packages (e.g., birthday parties: 688 RMB/2 hours, including decoration and photography; holiday events like Halloween "Trick-or-Treat Challenge": 198 RMB/family);

- Partner with early education institutions to offer integrated courses (e.g., "physical training classes," "creative art classes") during off-peak hours to boost income.

- Cross-Industry Collaboration for Traffic:

- Form alliances with mother-and-baby stores, children’s photography studios, etc.—offer free indoor playground tickets for minimum spending to share customer pools;

- Collaborate with popular animation IPs (e.g., Ultraman, Peppa Pig) to create limited-time scenarios, allowing ticket prices to be marked up by 20%-30%.

(3) Enhancing Service Experience

- Visualized Safety Assurance:

- Publish daily "disinfection records" and install cameras to livestream cleaning processes (parents can view via mini-programs);

- Set up "safety inspector posts" (staff equipped with recorders to monitor equipment status in real time) to fully ensure children’s safety and build parental trust.

- Data-Driven User Operation:

- Collect user behavior data (e.g., usage duration of popular equipment, consumption frequency) via mini-programs, and send targeted coupons (e.g., "50% off return coupons" for users inactive for 30 days);

- Establish "mother communities" (share parenting knowledge weekly, launch limited-time flash sales like 19.9 RMB night tickets) to improve user conversion and repeat purchase rates.

- Emotionalized Detail Design:

- Provide thoughtful services (e.g., anti-lost bracelets for children that trigger alarms when leaving the venue, free sweat towels, emergency first-aid kits);

- Set up a "growth memorial wall" (recording children’s height changes and game achievements) to foster emotional connections with parents and kids.

- Earning 200,000 RMB annually with an indoor playground is not out of reach—it requires precise planning in equipment selection, and careful calculation plus continuous innovation in operation and management.

 
--------From the original factory of indoor playgrounds

Guangzhou Feifan Amusement Equipment Co., Ltd. Tel/WeChat/WhatsApp: +86 139 2277 1604