Guide for Fitting Commercial Play Areas in Small Spaces

If it seems like playgrounds are everywhere these days, it’s because they are in high demand. Over 65% of Americans visit local parks and recreational facilities at least once a month. That means by adding a commercial play area to your place of business, you could increase your community engagement and attract new visitors.

While some organizations don’t have a lot of room to dedicate to a play area, you can still squeeze a commercial play space onto your property with a little creativity — and a well-designed small play area can be just as fun and appealing to kids as a larger playground.

This ultimate guide for fitting commercial play areas in small spaces will tell you everything you need to know about designing an appealing play space, no matter its size. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for planning a small play space and some specific pieces of play equipment that are suitable for small areas. If you’re ready to make the most of your square footage, take a look at these tricks for creating commercial play areas for small spaces.

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How to Fit Commercial Play Areas Into Small Spaces

You can still make your play area dreams a reality within a small space. Whether the size of your play area is limited to a tiny plot of land or a small section of your retail center, there’s always room for fun and adventure. Use these top three play area planning hacks to design a small space that draws big crowds.

How to fit commercial play areas into small spaces

1. Level Up

The secret to a successful small play area is going vertical. With layered levels of equipment, a small area can be transformed into a multi-story play paradise. You don’t need a sprawling play area display — you can easily stay within a certain square space by using contained playground structures.

Oftentimes, children’s indoor play area equipment is a great option for optimizing limited space — it’s just as fun as large playground equipment without taking up nearly as much space. You can also look into pieces of equipment designed for versatility that can be used in multiple ways.

2. Combine Play Panel Pieces

Combine play panel pieces

Instead of getting one huge playground structure, you can use several different play panels to create a more compact play area layout. Play panel pieces come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and themes so you can find the exact right combination of panels to maximize the space you have to work with.

The use of play panels also allows you to offer kids more activities within your play area since you can include panels that are suitable for varying ages and skill levels. To stay current with the latest trends, you can also choose a play panel designed with electronic features.

3. Create a Custom Design

You might have a giant idea for your small space. In that case, you can create a custom design for your play area that includes all of your big ideas while remaining within your designated square footage. There’s nothing stopping you from using a creative blend of play panels and multi-story play structures to make the perfect play area for your location.

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Play Area for Your Space

Designing a play area is a multi-step process that requires numerous considerations, especially when designing for a small space. To streamline the process for small indoor play area ideas, follow the five basic steps listed below.

1. Form a Decision-Making Team

Planning a play area will include a lot of important choices so you’ll need a trustworthy team of decision-makers to determine the right layout, evaluate the costs, oversee installation, etc. Forming a smaller team of leaders can keep you from getting overwhelmed by too much input and help the decision-making process go smoother.

Form a decision making team

Here are the main choices your team of decision-makers will be involved in:

  • Listening to community members: Before beginning to make any concrete plans, your team should ask various members of the community, such as parents, kids and anyone else the project will impact, to get their opinions on what they want from a play area. Doing this will ensure you create a play area people actually want to use.
  • Setting a budget: Funding is a key component of any major project, and constructing a play area is no different. Make sure your team of leaders knows how much your organization can afford to spend on a play area so they can budget the funds responsibly. Your team can also look into potential financing options, such as loans, leasing or fundraising, if necessary.
  • Planning the design: Of course, the overall design of the play area is essential to the project. Your team will need to find the ideal location for the play area, figure out the best layout for attracting families, choose equipment that fits within the budget and make sure everything is properly installed.
  • Preparing a timeline: Your team should pick an overall deadline for when the play area needs to be completed, along with a few mini-deadlines to keep the play area on track. Setting these goals will help you monitor your progress while making sure nothing gets overlooked in a rush to finish the project.

2. Choose and Measure the Play Area Space

When designing a play area for a small space, location plays an especially important role. Figure out how much space you can afford to allot to a play area and where within your property it would make the most sense to build it. Choose a spot that will be easy to access and allow parents to watch their kids without blocking your business building’s flow of traffic.

Once you’ve determined the best place for your play area, take careful measurements of the space. Calculating a concrete number of square footage you have to work with will make it easier to know how much and what kinds of play area equipment to order. Knowing how much equipment you can fit before beginning the design phase can save you from having to scrap unrealistic layouts.

Make sure you measure both the total surface area on the ground and how much vertical space you’ll have for each piece of equipment. Keep in mind that you will need a bit of extra space surrounding the actual play area structures to provide some cushioned surfacing around the equipment.

3. Think About Who Will Be Using the Play Area

Think about who will be using the play area

After deciding where to put your new play area, you’ll need to think through who will primarily be using the play area. Catering to the demographic that most frequently visits your business will increase the amount the play area gets used. Knowing who the play area is most intended for will also make selecting specific pieces of equipment easier by narrowing down your choices.

For example, age is a big factor to consider. While younger kids typically respond better to brightly colored and multisensory play area equipment, older kids will most likely prefer equipment that will challenge their hand-eye coordination and allow them to be more physically active.

Be sure to create an inclusive play area by choosing equipment that all kids can use. Think about separating your play area into two different sections geared toward different age ranges and ability levels. Include flat, wheelchair-accessible ramps wherever needed and provide quieter spaces for those on the autism spectrum.

In addition, consider how many kids will be using the equipment at any given time. Make sure your play area can accommodate the number of kids you anticipate using it. Even a smaller play area can be strategically spread out by utilizing vertical space and multiple levels to ensure kids don’t feel cramped.

4. Select the Surface Materials

Surface materials are a big decision in the play area planning process because they are crucial to completing the play area’s design and keeping kids safe. You will need to choose between unitary surfacing, which creates one unified surface area, and loose-fill surfacing, which is made up of tiny pieces of surfacing materials, like rubber mulch. There are various types of each category of material, and they all come with certain pros and cons.

Pick the equipment pieces

In addition, the surface materials you choose for your play area must comply with the guidelines outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These ADA standards cover everything from play structure components to ground surfaces and apply to all newly constructed play areas.

While there is a variety of materials that qualify as ADA-approved, there are other factors to consider when choosing the best surface material for your play area. For example, certain loose-fill materials may be great for schools or parks, but it might not be suitable for restaurants or shopping centers where loose pieces could be easily spread into other areas of the building.

Here is a list of the five most common ADA-approved surface materials and their benefits:

  1. Modular tiles: These tiles are a synthetic, unitary surfacing material that is shaped into squares and installed with durable, subsurface clips. Modular tiles are an inexpensive way to provide a safe, visually attractive and easy-to-maintain surface for your play area.
  2. Shredded rubber: This loose-fill material usually comes from recycled tires and serves as a cushiony, low-cost, easy-to-install surfacing option. Like most loose-fill materials, shredded rubber must be frequently monitored to ensure proper depth.
  3. Pour-in-place (PIP) rubber: As a synthetic unitary surface, PIP rubber can be mixed on-site and easily placed wherever needed. It is also highly durable, low-maintenance and aesthetically appealing, as it comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
  4. Synthetic turf: Commonly used for athletic fields, synthetic turf includes artificial grass blades and small rubber pieces. While safe and easy to maintain, synthetic turf does not offer much flexibility in color or design.
  5. Engineered wood fiber (EWF): Similar to wood chips, EWF is a loose-fill material designed specifically for playground use. Its special design makes it suitable for play areas with taller structures and unattractive to insects. However, EWF pieces often get displaced, so its depth level will need to be checked often.

5. Pick the Equipment Pieces

Once you’ve picked your surface materials, it’s finally time to begin ordering your play area equipment. Choose pieces of equipment that align with the amount of space you have to work with, your budget, the main age group you’re appealing to and the comments you’ve received from community members.

Now is also a great time to think about a theme for your play area that could promote your brand. For example, a restaurant might want to design a food-themed play area. Along with a theme, keep these three factors in mind when choosing your play area equipment:

  1. Physical: A play area should provide kids with a safe place to be active and get some exercise. Find equipment pieces that encourage movement and the use of fine motor skills.
  2. Sensory: Play area equipment should appeal to kids’ senses with vivid colors, fun textures and various noises. Try to get equipment that will keep kids engaged on multiple sensory levels.
  3. Social: A play area is about more than just playing. It’s an opportunity for kids to practice social skills and form friendships. A play area that encourages kids to make new friends can get families to return again and again, so look for equipment that promotes playing in groups and working together.

After you’ve made your equipment selections and finalized your play area layout, you’ll be ready to place your order. Make sure you have an installation game plan in place to set up your play area once the equipment arrives. Some pieces arrive essentially preassembled, while more complex pieces might require some professional assistance.

To ensure a smooth installation, consider working with an expert play area company like Soft Play, LLC®. Teaming up with Soft Play will give you a play area specialist to consult with throughout the design process and a group of trained professionals to carry out the installation. Soft Play will walk with you each step of the way to make sure you get the perfect play area for your small space.

Soft Play Options That Are Ideal for Small Spaces

As a major playground equipment provider, Soft Play offers a few lines of play area pieces that are perfectly suited for small spaces. If you’re looking for the best small area play equipment the industry has to offer, check out these three options.

1. Elementz

Elementz

The Elementz line of play area equipment available from Soft Play includes various soft-sculpted foam play components that are perfect for kids to exercise their creativity and imagination. The foam Elementz play forms are modern, durable and a great size for smaller indoor play areas. You can easily incorporate Elementz equipment into your waiting room space, daycare center, restaurant, hotel, retail center, museum or nearly anywhere else.

A variety of ramps, crawl tunnels and low-profile climbers let kids develop their motor skills while playing within a compact area. Kids can even practice their social skills by playing alongside their peers on Elementz equipment. The Elementz layout also gives caregivers clear visibility to easily watch their kids.

Elementz play forms can be ordered individually or as a packaged group, depending on how much space your play area has to work with. For your convenience, all Elementz play shapes, seating, flooring and perimeter walls may be purchased separately. As a bonus, the smooth surfaces of Elementz pieces of equipment allow for easy cleaning and maintenance.

2. Pick & Play™

Another excellent line of equipment for small spaces is the Pick & Play™ line. Pick & Play™ pieces are soft-sculpted foam products that feature low-profile climbers, crawl tunnels and ramps to help kids use their imagination and have fun while enhancing their coordination and motor skills. And with five different themes to choose from, you’re sure to find the right Pick & Play™ set for your play area.

Because Soft Play already has Pick & Play™ products in stock, you can have your small play area up and ready for use in the shortest amount of time possible. Once you decide on your Pick & Play™ theme and size and place your order, the already stocked items will be shipped to you promptly.

As a pre-stocked item that involves little custom work, Pick & Play™ equipment is also a very affordable play area option. If you’re looking to save both time and money while planning your small space play area, Pick & Play™ is the perfect line of playground equipment for you.

3. Small Play Areas

Whether you’re short on floor space or limited by a low ceiling height, a small play area from Soft Play can bring just as much fun to your play area without taking up too much space.

You can choose from a range of contained play structures from Soft Play that are suitable for kids of all ages. The small indoor playgrounds and soft contained play structures are an especially great option for places with limited space. These contained play structures give kids a safe place to play without spilling over into other sections of your premises.

Small commercial play structures are also a great choice for affordability. Generally less expensive than larger playground equipment, small area indoor equipment gives you the opportunity to construct an exciting play area without going over budget.

5 Benefits of Working With Soft Play to Design Your Play Area for Small Spaces

Benefits of working with soft play to design your play area for small spaces

In addition to getting to choose from a large catalog of playground equipment options, there are numerous benefits to working with Soft Play to bring your small play area designs to life. Here are the top five advantages to partnering with Soft Play.

1. Custom Options

Soft Play offers much more than just large playground structures. You can find a wide range of play area equipment options at Soft Play and customize any piece of equipment to suit your individual play area needs. If you need to fit your play area into an area with specific dimensions, Soft Play has the capabilities to create a custom play system for your establishment.

2. Financing

At Soft Play, you can get play area equipment customized to your budget, too. With special financing options, Soft Play allows you to build your play area and start attracting more customers now, and pay later. No matter your budget restrictions, you can find an affordable solution with the help of the team at Soft Play.

3. Experienced Sales Support

As the oldest contained playground equipment provider in the world, Soft Play offers knowledgeable sales support members to help guide customers through the play area planning process from design to installation. With over 30 years of experience, Soft Play representatives can assist you in selecting the right pieces of equipment to attract as many customers as possible.

4. Assembly and Maintenance Assistance

Soft Play personally trains, certifies and periodically tests its group of approved, independent installation professionals. These installation pros will ensure your Soft Play equipment is assembled correctly and properly set up. The excellent service team at Soft Play will also be there to assist you whenever it’s time to repair, maintain or update your play area equipment.

5. Business Growth

Thanks to the expert team of representatives at Soft Play, you’ll have a small space play area that attracts families to your destination again and again. Your specially crafted play area can generate repeat customers by offering kids a unique play experience. When you work alongside Soft Play, you can grow your business with play that works.

Get a Free Design Consultation With Soft Play

The best part about planning your perfect small play area with Soft Play is that it starts with a free design consultation. You don’t need to have everything figured out or be ready to place your playground equipment order — we’ll work with you to come up with a play area design that will fit within your limited space, promote fun, and attract repeat visitors.

To request your free quote and get one step closer to your ideal commercial play area, contact Soft Play today.

Get a free design consultation with Soft Play

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