The Benefits of an Indoor Playground
Kids get excited to jump around in bounce houses, race through obstacle courses and dive into ball pits. Unfortunately, these high-energy activities can be dangerous if not properly monitored.
Investing in an indoor playground gives children the space and opportunities to engage in physical play without putting them at risk. It requires a lot of vigilance from staff to prevent kids from testing their strength on equipment that is not meant for them.
Socialization
In an indoor playground, kids have the chance to interact with many different people in a safe and controlled environment. Kids who play together often form lasting friendships, and they learn the importance of sharing and working as a team. It’s also an opportunity for them to develop their creativity and imagination, while learning how to solve problems and navigate conflict.
Kids who are used to playing with other children will naturally gravitate towards these kinds of activities and environments. In addition, they can burn calories and practice healthy eating habits in an area that is not overcrowded or overly noisy. In the US alone, fewer than a third of kids are active enough to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation for an hour of moderate exercise each day.
An indoor playground can help kids become more physically active and have a positive impact on their health, which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Children who are fit also have a better mood indoor playground and have more energy to focus in school and other social settings.
In traditional cultures where kids play with children of all ages, younger kids can observe and mimic the actions of older kids. However, today’s age-segregated society can make it difficult for young kids to meet new friends. An indoor playground gives them a chance to meet and interact with children of all ages, which can make it easier for them to establish friendships later in life.
Creativity
The creative opportunities for children in an indoor playground are endless. They can turn a bounce house into a booby-trapped bridge, race through an inflatable obstacle course or whizz down a zip line. This unstructured exercise is not only fun, but helps kids to develop physical and mental agility that will help them throughout their lives.
Another advantage of an indoor playground is that it gives children the freedom to move in ways they cannot when playing at home or on their own. Children can crawl, climb and jump without fear of hurting themselves, a benefit that many parents appreciate.
Destination playgrounds offer a unique opportunity for owners to create experiences that stand out from the competition and appeal to a specific demographic of families. For example, Kids ’N Shape in Long Island, NY is known for its clean and bright environment, but it also provides a full range of activities that includes a bouncy castle, a slide, an obstacle course, a foam pit and a race track.
When planning your own indoor playground, consider how it can be used to maximize revenue. Offering adult fitness classes is one way to increase business costs and profit margins, but you may also be able to host birthday parties or work with local schools for field trips. In addition, you might run a one-day camp during school professional development days, which can provide additional income for your facility.
Physical Activity
Playgrounds provide plenty of opportunities for children to run, jump and crawl — all the activities a child should be doing to develop his or her muscles and adopt an active lifestyle. Many playgrounds also allow kids to play with other children of the same age group, which is an excellent opportunity for socialization and teaches children how to interact and communicate effectively with their peers.
In a safe environment, kids can exercise their bodies and minds by using the imagination that comes naturally to them. Indoor playgrounds allow them to create scenarios in which they can act out their favorite characters and stories, ranging from running away from bad guys to saving the day for a damsel in distress.
Kids also learn problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills when playing in an indoor playground. This is important because it teaches kids how to work together and will lead to better social interactions in the future. It also teaches them to be more efficient with their time and resources, which will help them when they are adults and have their own families to support.
If you are thinking of opening an indoor playground, make sure that you have the necessary indoor playground licenses in place. Businesses that involve children typically require more stringent licensing requirements than other types of business, and may include criminal background checks.
Safety
An indoor playground provides opportunities for children to interact with different aspects of nature in a safe and controlled environment. For example, they can climb up a rope ladder to the top of a tower or jump down a slide. However, it is important that parents remain vigilant and follow strict safety guidelines for this type of activity. Children should wear appropriate clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, and tie shoe laces. It is also recommended that they do not carry any loose items, such as necklaces or toys, into the structure. Parents should also wash their hands before and after entering the playground.
It is also recommended that the equipment be inspected regularly for signs of wear and tear, and that a certificate be exhibited that shows it has been cleaned and sanitized. The cleaning process must include scrubbing with soap and water to remove physical dirt, followed by sanitizing using chemicals that can reduce germs to a safe level as identified on the product label.
In addition, staff should be positioned to have line of sight over most areas and be familiar with emergency evacuation procedures. Children should only play in the area designated for their age group and height restrictions should be strictly enforced. Staff should also be aware of children with special physical or developmental needs and be able to provide them with the correct safety precautions.
