Commercial playground equipment
When parents plan a trip somewhere with their kids, there’s a lot that goes through their head. Is there going to be space for the kids to move around? Will everyone be hungry? Will the kids get restless? Is it even worth the visit with kids? Having a playground at a family-friendly commercial business destination eases this process. Parents don’t have to feel like they have to keep their kids quiet and seated, or entertained via an electronic screen, while on-site. A commercial playground also makes a wait into a worthwhile visit at any family-oriented business.
Family Appeal
When a family-oriented business provides a place for kids to burn some energy while parents accomplish whatever brought them into the building, the family is more apt to:
- stay a little longer
- have another beverage
- enjoy a leisurely meal
- browse a little further
- return again soon
- recommend the venue to other families
Some examples of businesses and other family-friendly destinations that benefit from a commercial playground area include:
- restaurants
- retail
- lodging
- community destinations
- other family-friendly venues or service-based businesses
Rather than families trying to accommodate what little energy the kids might still have after an adult-focused errand, or vice versa, both can happen in one location. Kids get some needed playtime and parents accomplish what needed to get done. Everyone wins!
Space and Layout
In planning a commercial playground, keep in mind that kids don’t necessarily need something ginormous to be engaged. They just need a sense of:
- movement
- challenge
- imagination
- being welcomed
Successful commercial playground equipment from a company such as Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Waterparks could include a climber or slide, sensory panels, or a nature-inspired play piece. When thoughtfully designed and well-maintained, commercial playgrounds attract families and new customers by creating an inviting space for children to play while their families enjoy the surrounding business or facility. As long as the area is visible, easy to access, and well-kept, you’ll have the makings of a commercial playground families can enjoy.
The playground doesn’t even necessarily have to be outdoors. A smaller, more contained kids activity area indoors may also prove popular. Observe how and where kids gravitate in your facility to figure out whether an outdoor playground area or an indoor kids activity area (or both) would prove most popular.
If families with kids are already gathering in a particular area of your business to make use of empty space for a game of chase tag, you already have your location. If not, spend 15 minutes observing the comings and goings of your typical user, where they linger, where it gets busy, etc. Then pick the playground location that makes the most sense based on your observations, rather than just an empty corner.
Indoor and outdoor playground areas
Safety and Access
Just like a residential playground, safety is a concern with commercial playground equipment as well. The success of a commercial playground, and its safe usage every day it’s open, will be determined by:
- the layout
- surfacing
- drainage
- sight lines
- maintenance, and more
It’s important to ensure that the manufacturer-recommended fall zone is left completely open without a fence, planter or bench encroaching. Parents are more apt to let their kids loose to play in an area that seems safe and easy to supervise, which starts before the commercial playground equipment is even installed.
Similarly, as a safety consideration, make sure the path leading to your commercial playground equipment is easy to spot and access, and away from any high foot (or vehicular) traffic areas. Kids (and parents) will be more comfortable with a commercial playground area that doesn’t make them feel like they’re intruding, or that wasn’t necessarily planned on for kids from the get-go. Signs that might say otherwise include:
- poorly maintained or dated play surface
- equipment that’s difficult to understand how to use
- a poorly planned location that feels like an afterthought, rather than an amenity
To make sure that all ages and abilities can enjoy your commercial playground equipment, choose some inclusive and accessible options (UNESCO spells this out at www.unesco.org/en/inclusion-education) to appeal to kids at varying levels of physical ability and confidence.
While it’s not necessary to dedicate a whole swath of your business real estate to a commercial playground area, it is important to carve out some space that makes it clear families with kids are a welcome addition to the user base. Sometimes that takes the form of a well-thought-out outdoor playground; other times it might just take a smaller play area right next to the seating area. Observe your typical user and get a sense of what might prove most successful for your family-oriented business.
Before shopping for commercial playground equipment, put pen to paper and get an idea of the:
- age and ability range of your target user
- square footage you have available to dedicate to a commercial playground area
- maintenance required to keep the playground in tip-top shape
- safety factors that should be considered
With this in mind, you’ll be better prepared to make a successful commercial playground purchase.
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