If you are confused about what family entertainment centers are, let me explain. You have seen the small indoor entertainment area, where children and parents are spending their free time, right? This is none other than a family entertainment center. This small area has everything that a child wishes for. They are incorporating traditional playground elements indoors in order to assist in the mental and physical development of children
With a fully customised family entertainment center (FEC), you can make your space stand out from the other generic areas. The unique equipment you are introducing into your entertainment center according to a particular theme could attract more visitors and retain the already existing ones. You will not be able to set a FEC with no planning or vision, it is not as easy as you think.
In this blog we will guide you through the step-by-step process of how to design a family entertainment center.
Step 1: Define Your Vision and Objectives
The first step in your journey to build the perfect family entertainment center design for your space is to have a clear vision and objectives. You need to decide your objective of your planned space. You have different options like indoor playground, multi-attraction space, arcade, trampoline areas, and so on.
It is also critical to outline the audience that you are targeting through your family entertainment area. The different age groups of children need different equipment that will suit their developmental needs. The features that you should include for toddlers will not be suitable for the preteens, so it is important to figure out that in the initial stage.
Considering the business goals should also be decided at this stage. You need to systematically organise your business goals according to your priority. Revenue, footfall, and brand engagement are some of the important factors that you should consider.
Step 2: analyse Location and Space
As the second part of customising a FEC, you need to analyse the available space you have where the center will stand. The dimensions of the area including the floor areas and ceiling height should be accurately measured while inspecting the lighting and access points in the area.
Any constraints present in the area should be carefully noted and assessed. This will include any structural columns, low ceilings, and fire exits. The importance of the visibility in the area and the ideas for zoning out the available space for activities catering to children of different age groups should also be discussed to avoid any future conflicts.
Step 3: Choose a Theme and Custom Design
In order to make your area stand out among the others, the perfect way is to design a family entertainment center with a unique theme. The theme could be inspired by any natural or active settings. It could be a jungle themed area with a lot of greens, woods, and animals or it can be a space theme with stars, planets, and aliens. These themed spaces can attract the kids for an exciting experience, and they also contribute to the retention of your visitors.
With the help of color psychology you can also divide your areas like you can use a calming blue for the toddler areas, and red and yellow for the areas that have energetic activities. You can also incorporate interactive panels like sensory panels, motion-activated games, and touch-based areas to increase the engagement.
Step 4: Select Attractions and Equipment
As you have decided your targeted audience, this step is really important to choose the right equipment and attractions that would benefit your business. There are a lot of options available in the market to choose from, like VR games, soft play zones, climbing zones, obstacle courses, and more. Careful consideration should be given while deciding the equipment as it should suit the target age group and expected footfall.
While choosing the equipment, you should ensure that they are certified and safe equipment. It is essential to check the local and international regulations before finalizing the products. Your play area should be a safe space for the children playing, and it is mandatory to ensure that you are providing the safest and most suitable equipment.
Step 5: Plan the Layout and Visitor Flow
The planning of layout and visitor flow highly contributes to the safety of your area. You need to design an open, intuitive layout to prevent any kind of bottleneck situation. For effectively managing the visitor flow the layout of the area plays a great role. While planning the layout of the areas, the different areas should be assigned for high-energy activities and low-energy activities. This distinction will ensure that the kids with different energy levels are not overlapping.
Another important aspect you should consider while laying out is to allot considerable slots for parent seating areas, stroller parking areas, restrooms, and snack areas. There should be enough space to accommodate parents as they will also spend their time in your play area along with their children. You should also ensure proper signage and safety pathways are incorporated into the layout.
Step 6: Installation, Testing & Compliance
This is another crucial step in creating a FEC. It should be ensured that you are working with an authorised and certified service provider to ensure the installation quality and regulatory compliance. The installation of the equipment should be proper and ensure that the equipment is tested and verified. Compliance with local authorities’ standards like the Dubai Municipality should be ensured in all the equipment installation and testing. Regulatory compliance is mandatory for any family entertainment centers in order to open it for the public.
Step 7: Staffing, Training & Operations
The recruitment of staff should be done with great care. You can recruit staff with previous experience with kids or already have training in child supervision and first-aid. This will help you provide peace of mind for the parents and increase your credibility. Providing proper training staff in operating the equipment operations and emergency procedures is also vital.
Step 8: Marketing, Launch & Customer Engagement
Promotions of your family entertainment center can be done through social media, local ads, and by individually contacting the potential schools that would tie up with you. While promoting you can also bring in influencers that can make sure your brand name is reaching the right audience. You can also introduce offers and package deals to attract the group bookings.
Step 9: Maintenance, Upgrades & Long-Term Support
Routine maintenance services and cleaning activities should be scheduled properly. Regular inspections and repair services are necessary to ensure that your FEC will not have unexpected shutdowns. Also, you should consider upgrades as required over time and partner with an annual maintenance service provider for long-term support.
Why TEXEL Leads the Way in FEC customisation
TEXEL is one of the leading service providers specialised in designing family entertainment centers in the UAE. With the assistance of our expert team, we assist in assessing your area and help to build an exclusive entertainment center, considering your values and goals. TEXEL promises to deliver high-quality, reliable, and compliant products and services. We also deliver playground equipment maintenance in the UAE by providing technology-driven annual maintenance services.
Takeaways
Customisation and installation of a family entertainment center requires a lot of thought and consideration. A FEC that is carefully designed could attract the right audience and help to generate large revenues. TEXEL makes customising a family entertainment area easy and safe.
Contact TEXEL today for customising your family entertainment center!
FAQ
- What is the first step I should take while building a FEC?
You need to define your vision, business goals and targeted audience as the first step in building a FEC. - Can I customise my entertainment center in themes?
Yes, there are service providers that can help you design theme-based equipment that suits your layout and appeals to your visitors. While customising you can also incorporate interactive equipment like sensory panels, motion activated games, and touch-based areas to increase the engagement.
Can TEXEL assist me in designing a family entertainment center?
Yes, TEXEL can guide you through every step of the process involved in setting up a FEC. From designing to installation and maintenance, TEXEL will provide you with products and services that meet international standards.