This is your comprehensive guide to soft play areas and indoor playgrounds in England. If you are a business owner in the UK looking to learn about children's playgrounds—including topics such as the profitability of soft plays, indoor playground design, purchasing playground equipment, and the costs associated with setting up an indoor playground—then you’ve come to the right place!
As a professional indoor playground manufacturer, Ninescapeland provides turnkey services to ensure you can successfully launch a children’s indoor playground in England. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or seeking to expand an existing business, this guide will offer valuable insights and assistance. Let me know if you need any further adjustments or additional help!
Table of Contents
What is the Largest Indoor Park in Europe?
As we know, the largest indoor playground in Europe is Jungle Rumble Adventure Gold and Indoor Play in the UK. While it is primarily known for its adventure golf, it also features a large indoor play area, making it one of the largest in Europe.
This multifunctional venue draws families seeking both outdoor and indoor activities, which increases foot traffic and enhances its profitability. The facility’s focus on providing diverse experiences shows how combining multiple types of entertainment in one space can attract a broader customer base. With its extensive indoor play zone, it serves as a perfect example of how indoor playgrounds can cater to families looking for year-round play opportunities.
Similarly, Jump Arena and Playdrome exemplify successful indoor parks. A thriving indoor park not only requires a variety of attractions and activities for children and families but also well-designed playground spaces that facilitate play.
How Many Playgrounds Are There in the UK?
The UK has a well-developed indoor playground sector, with hundreds of facilities operating across the country. Estimates suggest there are over 1,000 indoor play centers across the UK, including soft play centers, trampoline parks, and other recreational facilities designed for children. The growing popularity of these centers has been fueled by the demand for family-friendly indoor spaces, particularly in urban areas where outdoor play options may be limited by weather or lack of green space.
Commercial soft play structures are common in indoor playgrounds, featuring large soft play equipment, ball pits with slides, and indoor jungle gyms that are suitable for toddlers and younger children.
In addition, trampoline parks and adventure parks have rapidly grown in recent years, enhancing the playability of the amusement industry. These facilities break away from traditional soft play areas by offering attractions such as Ninja Warrior courses, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and other adventure rides, blending play with fitness in a modern setting.
Are Soft Plays Profitable in the UK?
Jump Arena is one example of a leading chain of trampoline parks with branches across Europe. They integrate soft play areas, indoor play zones, trampoline parks, and obstacle training into one cohesive experience.
These large indoor playgrounds demonstrate that soft play and children's indoor playgrounds can be profitable and continue to evolve. These play centers serve not only as spaces for children's play and social interaction but also as modern businesses are booming.
In England, children's indoor playgrounds continue to show strong growth trends, as partners seek amusement parks that are safe, stimulating, and unaffected by inclement weather. Common sources of income include:
- Entry Fees: The main source of income, especially in high-traffic urban areas.
- Birthday Parties and Events: A significant additional revenue stream, with many indoor playgrounds offering party packages, including food, entertainment, and exclusive access to the play area.
- Food & Beverage Sales: On-site cafés and snack bars are a profitable aspect, particularly when parents spend hours at these facilities.
- Memberships & Loyalty Programs: Offering memberships or loyalty cards encourages repeat business, which is essential for long-term success.
- Additional Services: Some playgrounds offer extra services, such as parent-child exercise classes, educational workshops, or themed seasonal events, which can further drive profitability.
Nowadays, the indoor playground industry is growing fast in the UK, with more than 1,000 kid play centres, therefore the players more attention to playability in play space and the quality and safety of the amusement rides.
As urban areas continue to expand and families seek more indoor options for their children, the potential for profitability in the indoor playground market remains strong. If you want to open a kid's indoor playground, NinescapeLand will be glad to help you, we are a one-stop playground solution provider and offer turn-key service.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Children's Playground in the UK?
The cost of building a children's playground in the UK can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the size, location, type of equipment, and additional features like safety surfacing and landscaping. However, purchasing and installing indoor playground equipment typically ranges from GBP 25,000 to GBP 100,000. Here are some insights from Ninescapeland’s experience as a provider of amusement rides to various industries across the UK:
1. Small-Scale or Basic Playground (for smaller areas or community spaces)
- Estimated Cost: £20,000 to £50,000
- Details: This type of playground typically includes basic play equipment such as swings, slides, climbing frames, and a few interactive elements. It may be suitable for small parks, schools, or residential communities.
- Key Features: Basic play structures, safety surfacing (e.g., rubber mats or sand), and limited landscaping.
2. Medium-Scale Playground (for larger public parks or schools)
- Estimated Cost: £50,000 to £100,000
- Details: A more expansive playground with a broader range of equipment such as multi-play units, tunnels, spring riders, and themed play structures. This would also include higher-quality safety surfaces, fencing, and landscaping.
- Key Features: More complex play equipment, larger safety zones, possibly separate areas for different age groups, and additional features like benches, picnic tables, or shade structures.
3. Large-Scale or Adventure Playground (for large parks or commercial spaces)
- Estimated Cost: £100,000 to £300,000+
- Details: Large playgrounds typically include advanced play structures, like climbing towers, zip lines, obstacle courses, water features, or nature-inspired playgrounds. These spaces are usually more complex, offering varied play opportunities for a wide age range.
- Key Features: Extensive themed play areas, specialized equipment (e.g., inclusive equipment for disabled children), decorative landscaping, safety features, and possibly amenities like toilets or cafe spaces.
4. Indoor Playgrounds (Soft Play Centres, Trampoline Parks)
- Estimated Cost: £200,000 to £500,000+
- Details: Indoor playgrounds, especially soft play centres and trampoline parks, often require substantial investment due to their specialized equipment, space requirements, and compliance with safety standards.
- Key Features: Large soft play structures, trampolines, climbing walls, obstacle courses, padded flooring, and possibly additional amenities like cafes, party rooms, or educational play zones.
If you want to learn more about how to make a business plan for an indoor playground, this article will be helpful to you. It covers essential topics such as market research, site selection, and operational planning for starting a soft amusement business. If you still have questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact Ninescapeland.
What Are Modern Playgrounds Made Of?
Modern indoor playground designs prioritize safety, durability, and playability. They are constructed from a variety of innovative materials that create functional and visually appealing play centers for children. These materials are commonly used in playground construction:
- Soft foam padding and rubberized flooring for safety
- High-density plastics like HDPE for durable play structures
- Wood and metal for strength and aesthetic appeal
- Digital elements for interactive, tech-driven experiences
- Non-toxic paints and safety finishes for overall safety
What is the Best Playground Material Made Of?
The best playground materials are needed to meet the local law requirement. For example, in England, safety standards related to materials used in playground equipment are primarily governed by the BS EN 1176 standard.
The BS EN 1176 standard specifies requirements for the design and construction of playground equipment, including the materials used, structural integrity, and dimensions of the play area.
Furthermore, it requires that the surface beneath the playground equipment must provide adequate impact attenuation to minimise the risk of injury from falls. This is supplemented by BS EN 1177, which specifically focuses on safety surface requirements based on critical fall heights.
The amusement equipment provided by NinescapeLand all comply with the requirements of BS EN 1176, including but not limited to foam pads, rubber pads, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate boards, polyvinyl chloride, metal steel, etc.
What is the Name of the Playground Equipment?
As mentioned above, amusement rides come in various types. A well-designed indoor playground should feature a diverse range of attractions, including soft play areas, trampolines, climbing equipment, adventure rides, imaginative play structures, and inclusive and accessible equipment.
No1. Soft Play Area
- Slides: The straight slide, spiral slide, tube slide, and wave slide are popular slides in the indoor playground and are suitable for different age groups.
- Ball Pit & Foam Pit: They are soft, the ball pit is suitable for toddlers, and the foam pit is suitable for all age groups.
- Merry-Go-Round (Roundabout): A circular platform that children can push or be pushed on, spinning around for fun.
- Seesaw (Teeter-Totter): A long, plank-like structure balanced in the middle, where two children sit on either end and push off the ground to tilt back and forth.
- Spring Riders: Small, mounted structures (often animal shapes) that move back and forth when children ride on them.
- Spinners: Equipment like "Gyro" spinners that children sit on and spin around, promoting balance and sensory stimulation.
- Sand and Water Play Tables: Tables with built-in sand or water features for sensory play, often equipped with shovels, scoops, and other tools.
No2. Trampolines
- Traditional Trampolines: Large trampolines designed for children to bounce on. Some are embedded into the ground for safety.
- Mini Trampolines (Rebounders): Smaller trampolines used for individual play or exercise, often seen in indoor playgrounds or gym settings.
- High-Performance Trampolines: They are built to handle high jumps, flips, and acrobatic moves.
- Basketball Hoops: Adjustable height hoops for children to practice shooting basketballs.
- Tennis Nets or Volleyball Nets: Simple netted areas for playing tennis or volleyball, often part of larger playgrounds or multi-sport courts.
No3. Climbing Equipment
- Climbing Frames: Structures designed for children to climb on. They can include ladders, walls, and ropes.
- Climbing Walls: Vertical walls with handholds for climbing, often used in adventure playgrounds.
- Rope Climbers: Vertical or angled ropes that children climb by gripping and pulling themselves up.
- Spider Webs: Large, mesh-like climbing structures made from ropes that create a web shape for climbing.
No4. Adventure Amusement Rides
- Ninja Warriors: A great for fitness, building strength, and having a blast while tackling exciting obstacles.
- Obstacle Course: They are a fun and engaging way to challenge both the body and mind.
- Balance Beams: A narrow beam placed on the ground or slightly elevated for children to walk across, promoting balance and coordination.
- Stepping Stones: Large, flat stones or pads placed at intervals for children to step across, encouraging balance and agility.
- Balance Bridges: Bridges made of ropes or beams that children can walk across, often elevated, requiring balance and focus.
No5. Imaginative Play Equipment
- Playhouses: Small structures designed to look like homes or shops where children can engage in pretend play.
- Tunnels: Large, cylindrical structures children crawl through, encouraging exploration and imaginative play.
- Role-Playing Equipment: Items like steering wheels, clocks, or panels designed to encourage children to act out various roles (e.g., a bus driver, shopkeeper, etc.).
- Musical Instruments: Equipment like drums, xylophones, and chimes made from weather-resistant materials, allowing children to explore sound and rhythm.
No6. Inclusion and Accessibility Equipment
- Accessible Swings: Swings designed for children with disabilities, including bucket-style seats or seats with additional support.
- Sensory Play Equipment: Equipment designed to engage the senses, such as tactile panels, light displays, or sound-producing elements.
- Wheelchair Accessible Ramps and Play Equipment: Ramps, sensory play structures, and swings that are designed to be accessible to children with mobility challenges.
If you don't mind, please share your budget, requirements, and target audience. Ninescapeland will use this information to create the perfect playground solution for you.
Who Designs a Playground?
NinescapeLand is a leading indoor playground manufacturer, offering innovative and safe solutions for children’s entertainment. Our professional team consists of experienced designers specialized in amusement park and playground design, ensuring that every project is tailored to meet your specific needs. We provide comprehensive services, from playground design to complete turn-key installations, making the entire process seamless and efficient. If you’re looking to create a fun, engaging play space for children, get in touch with us and leave your demands — we’d love to help bring your vision to life!