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Original poster

Opening a play cafe, what would you want?

119 replies

teamaven · 28/03/2026 21:09

I’m thinking of opening a play cafe in my local area, it really is a gap in the market here and I have confirmed interested.

To be honest I wouldn’t know where to start! But there are a few units available near me.

1st question - has anyone done this before and can provide some advice?

2nd. What would YOU like to see from a play cafe? Any unique ideas are a bonus

OP posts:
MyTrivia · 28/03/2026 21:57

We have one near us but I stopped going there, long after my dd was too old because I felt that they were money-grabbing and not family friendly overall. For example, they would refuse to move sessions for people if the government advised against travel on a day with gale forced winds.

Obviously, businesses need to make a profit but this company was so grasping and it did not sit well with me at all.

unicornpower · 28/03/2026 21:59

AwkwardPaws27 · 28/03/2026 21:26

Clean, & don't charge loads for babies when accompanying an older sibling. Unfortunately we won't be going to our local one anymore as its an extra £9.50 to bring 6 week old baby (who would be in a sling and not using any of the equipment) along with their 3 year old sibling.

As an aside, not charging for parents either! It’s ridiculous in some places where I have to pay the same fee as my child, I’m not using the stuff! And will be more likely to buy a coffee/food if I haven’t had to fork out for me too. Don’t mind a nominal £1 for adults, but not full price

Needspaceforlego · 28/03/2026 22:02

teamaven · 28/03/2026 21:28

What age would you start to charge from, if there was a baby sensory area? 6 months?

Show quote history

6mths, but I'd have different rates for babies than older children. You don't want to put people off. Lots of mums are strapped for cash in that first year with maternity leave.

Those early months are when you build up customers for the next 5 years

I remember thinking I could take a tiny baby into a softplay really it was mid week, so they weren't exactly busy and I was looking to kill time while my car was in th garage. They wanted to charge for baby, I decided not to bother, and found somewhere else for a coffee.

HarryVanderspeigle · 28/03/2026 22:09

We had one that was a regular cafe, not pay to entry. Nice food and drinks. Then a small ball pit, dressing up outfits, play tent and jumperoo's for the babies. They also did classes like baby sensory and massage. No idea if they were profitable we are past that stage, so don't go any more, but it was brilliant for when my kids were little.

mindutopia · 28/03/2026 22:16

I would want something for older kids. Like Lego sets you could hire out to use at the table. I wish I could do something like this with my youngest (8) because he missed out on those years due to COVID, but everything is geared to babies and toddlers. I’d love a nice cafe with activities for older ones that isn’t just soft play.

DalmationalAnthem · 28/03/2026 22:17

PamelaShipman80 · 28/03/2026 21:44

For it to be very cheap and cheerful! Instant coffee for £1, basic food like a cheese toastie, jam on toast etc. Budget party packages that the kids will love without the performative over the top decor some of the kids parties are lately, which is all for Instagram!

Jam on toast and £1 coffee don't seem like they would make a profitable business.
As a PP mentioned, the cost of one employee on the bare minimum wage is £14 for one hour, including n.i. etc. and the spiralling costs of owning a business

AgentPidge · 28/03/2026 22:23

There's one near me that's very popular. It has very good coffee and homemade cakes, soup and toasties. The only downside for me is that it's very noisy because it's echoey, so I'd say get decent soundproofing.

MizzMozz · 28/03/2026 22:24

Decent coffee! Proper coffee not instant.
Healthier food options for kids (not sweets, fizzy drinks everywhere).
Clean.
I wouldn't really want to pay for a baby until they were able to sit unaided but after this I would be happy to (6 months?)
I don't mind paying a fee for an adult but generally I prefer places where I would want to buy something at the cafe so I don't think it's necessary to charge adults entrance. Cafe voucher sounds a good idea. I've not seen this before.
Clean, functioning toilets.

Jenny343 · 28/03/2026 22:35

Separate according to walking status rather than age. Our local play cafe wants to charge ££ for DS because he is over 12 months. But he can’t walk! So wouldn’t be able to use the role play areas!

1potato2potato3potato · 28/03/2026 22:36

Clean toilets, modern not old systerns that never flush , limescale loos. I've only ever been to 1 play place that's got decent loos. Bearing in mind most kids have no shoes on and run to the loo it makes me feel sick as they always stink of piss and filthy.

Good selection of drinks and snacks maybe light bite meals

didgeridid · 28/03/2026 22:36

We have one near us that a cafe but you can pay extra for the soft play and sensory room which I think is good. I think room and seating lay out is always an issue. A secure buggy storage and maybe arm chairs as well as normal table and chairs.

BiteSizeByzantine · 28/03/2026 22:39

Don't let older siblings run amok. I wont go back to one of my local ones because the ball pit is always full of older children acting like fools

BadLad · 28/03/2026 22:42

To be honest I wouldn’t know where to start!

Then this is a very bad idea.

halftermhalfawake · 28/03/2026 23:06

In my local BBC 6oclock news segment this week there was a woman who was £80k in debt trying to keep her own soft play cafe business going, she works a 60 Hr week and pays herself less than minimum wage.

It was a segment on the current economy etc but it was more focused on young people not being able to get Saturday jobs like we had back in the day, and she was interviewed saying she'd gone from I think 13 staff to 9.

Not saying you shouldn't, that's totally up to you, I just remembered her wearing herself to the ground trying to keep her business going, the debts are hers personally too, as opposed to business loans.

BuntyNuffins · 28/03/2026 23:09

Sen only sessions for a certain time, once a week maybe?

Starburst360 · 28/03/2026 23:10

Decent coffee and healthy choices for the kids.

SErunner · 28/03/2026 23:14

More space than you think you’ll need - buggies take up so much room and almost everyone in your target market will bring one. And it’s a pain not being able to manoeuvre one around or having to leave it outside/nowhere near where you’re sitting. Otherwise I think pp’s have covered it.

Gaveatin · 28/03/2026 23:14

We have a 4 year age gap and my eldest still happily plays in role play settings with her sibling even at age 8, so I'd like to see a relaxed approach to age limits. I've not been able to take my youngest to some play cafes as they state an upper age limit and obviously I have to bring the eldest along.

Original poster
teamaven · 28/03/2026 23:14

It might be better option to separate the cafe in two, have one part as an actual cafe for the public, with a gated off are at the back for those with children with a small soft play area, sensory, craft table etc and some tables and chairs (like a normal play cafe but on a smaller scale). There is a unit locally that has an upstairs and downstairs with a lift so this could work. I feel like this is the most flexible/profitable way as tbh I don’t want to charge the earth but I understand why people have to.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 28/03/2026 23:15

Make sure you gave good insurance!

Parking

SergeantWrinkles · 28/03/2026 23:17

Yes I did this back in 2008

SergeantWrinkles · 28/03/2026 23:19

Sadly I had to close in 2008 because of the financial crisis (my lender was total bank of Scotland) but I can give you loads of tips and advice if you want it!

rainbowunicorn · 28/03/2026 23:30

BadLad · 28/03/2026 22:42

To be honest I wouldn’t know where to start!

Then this is a very bad idea.

Agree. Opening a business with no idea about the type of business is never a good starting point.

DingleDungle · 28/03/2026 23:34

teamaven · 28/03/2026 23:14

It might be better option to separate the cafe in two, have one part as an actual cafe for the public, with a gated off are at the back for those with children with a small soft play area, sensory, craft table etc and some tables and chairs (like a normal play cafe but on a smaller scale). There is a unit locally that has an upstairs and downstairs with a lift so this could work. I feel like this is the most flexible/profitable way as tbh I don’t want to charge the earth but I understand why people have to.

Thoughts?

Somewhere near me does this. The normal cafe is always empty because why would you go there when you could go to a cafe without lots of crying babies etc on the other side?

And the play bit is small so a bit rubbish.

I still go occasionally because it's so close for me to walk, but it just seems a really bad idea, the worst of both worlds.