Opening a play cafe, what would you want?

[teamaven]

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

Clean, committed staff, not crazy expensive. A dedicated under 2 / under 5 area that's properly enforced. Eject badly behaved children.

Don’t charge for babes in arms; some of our local ones do crawling charges which are like £1 or so and then walkers pay.
approproate for the target age! My 2yo is fairly average height but one near us the entrance is too high; he can get around it ok inside but then can’t get back in again iyswim

Non fancy food. Basics are fine. Nice cake.

Remember there's been covid in between. That will really have affected play cafés ability to trade.

There customers will have outgrown it in the 2/3 years of covid restrictions and the aftermath.
Covid hit March 20, things weren't really normal until spring 2022. When people would be heading to parks rather than cafés.

If you're going to have playtime slots, have a think about typical nap times. It doesn't matter so much for under ones, because there will usually be a time to fit, but it's so annoying when places have start/finish times that cut across 12-2. You're better off with:

9.30-11.30
12-2 (absorbs the non nappers)
2.30-4.30

Enough space, door clearance, toilets to accommodate severely disabled older children who require a motorised wheelchair.

Disabled toilet facilities with a hoist and enough room for parent plus the disabled person.

Vending machines with water/juice/snacks to keep queues down for people who want a coffee/proper food etc.

Big sign reminding parents they must supervise all their children at all times, not be gossiping with their pals while 4 year old Damien attacks the toddlers.

Oh time slots would be a pain in the bum. I think it would make more sense to charge per hour using 15min increments.

People are busy with a zillion other things to do. And they might be happier visiting for an hour rather than pay for a full 2 hours.
Its meant to be a play cafe not a full on soft play

We had a lovely play Cafe near us. The people who owned it lost a huge amount of money trying to run it.

It was such a shame because it was a fantastic space but a very difficult business model to get right.

From this thread, people’s expectations are extremely high (car parking, nice coffee very cheaply, high levels of cleanliness, a staff member employed just as an entertainer, delicious food), but also want it to be cheap, with no charge for adults or babies, discount for childminders and flexibility about time slots to incorporate nap times.

Looks tricky to make much money from.

A friend of mine set one of these up just after COVID and it only lasted a couple of years before she sold it and it ultimately closed.

You need to remember that you can't please everyone. If you aim too young, kids will age out quickly. If you aim it too old, you risk kids not being that interested.

I would actually consider a gaming cafe. Some "retro" consoles and gaming style chairs, a good range of drinks and food, decent seats for parents

I think the target age range has to be 6mth to about 4/5.
That's the age kids are with adults with time to go to play cafes.

I'd be tempted to look around the country and go visit some of the more established ones and see how they operate.

Don’t do it. Had to close mine. Most sit there for hours and spend hardly anything. Hospitality is not the thing to start a business in right now. Sorry to be negative but just really really think about it. It’s really fucking hard to break even

Warmth is definitely essential! Another one opened not too far from me, the rooms were great but cold, and floors were absolutely freezing. Enough to make me not return.

Agree with catering for allergies. Most soft play places are very poor for this and also ban own food, meaning you either go hungry or possibly shorten your session. It needn't be complicated either. A major one that is overlooked is oat milk. Providing alternatives is great but if it's not gluten free (simple to do) it will contaminate your coffee machine and people who have to avoid gluten won't even be buying a drink. Yes we're a minority but little thoughtful touches create a lot of loyalty and good will among the allergy/coeliac communities.

And offer after school sessions for slightly older kids who are say reception or year 1. One round here had an eat and play deal that was popular.

Say what? 6 weeks old £ they charge??? FFS. Idiots.

Also consider the age group you’re aiming for, though i don’t know the answer tbh.

We have an amazing soft play all on one level with a lovely role play area and cafe. But it is only for under 4s. So while it was great if i worked part time or on mat leave, i can now hardly go at weekends because i also have a 5 year old to look after.

There’s a couple near me that I avoid and only go to if it’s a party because the different activities are split by room. Meaning I’m constantly having to move to keep an eye on DS. Open plan play cafes are definitely my go to. Preferably free parking. Clean. No odd smells, another one stinks of chip pan oil which I avoid.

Low fitted sinks for children’s handwashing.