As a business owner or manager, you’re always looking for ways to draw in new visitors. Creating a play area is a great way to attract families to your destination. Whether at a day care, restaurant, health center, mall or other attraction, having a play space for toddlers appeals to families and makes parents feel comfortable enjoying your location.

Several considerations factor into creating a toddler play area, from choosing a location to picking equipment. While investing in a play space for toddlers benefits your business and the families who visit, you need to ensure your play area is developed correctly.

Use our complete commercial toddler play area guide to develop a successful, safe and appealing play area for your business.

How Playgrounds Help Toddlers Develop

Play is an essential factor in young kids’ growth and development. It’s also plain fun! Toddlers use play to discover the world around them, expand their imaginations and learn critical skills like problem-solving and sharing. Playgrounds give toddlers unique opportunities for unstructured play, providing a space for rich development.

Unstructured play refers to independent play that occurs without the organization or rules of adults. In other words, kids are given the freedom to create their own games or imaginary worlds without any outside input from adults.

Engaging in unstructured play promotes creativity and independence. When kids engage in unstructured play, they learn how to interact with others, follow the rules, trust their instincts and explore their creativity by creating pretend scenarios without any formal guidance.

Independent play can start at home when kids are very young. Setting up a space for kids to move around and explore their toys on their own terms can help prepare kids for independent play in public spaces.

Here are some of the ways having fun in the play area helps toddlers develop as kids:

• Physical development: Whether they’re crawling or have learned to walk, toddlers are making important discoveries about how to move their bodies. Play areas provide new experiences that challenge toddlers and teach them spatial awareness, muscle control and coordination.
• Social development: Social play lets toddlers engage in social interactions and learn to work together. For some toddlers, playing on a playground may be their first interaction with other kids their age. When toddlers play with each other in the play area, they learn to read social cues, negotiate, resolve disagreements and develop empathy.
• Cognitive development: Since unstructured play removes specific goals, toddlers are free to create their own. This builds creativity and encourages storytelling, communication skills and critical thinking.
• Emotional development: As young kids are exposed to social situations with their peers, they learn to regulate their emotions and communicate their feelings. Play impacts a toddler’s emotional development by making them emotionally literate.

Creating a toddler play area at your commercial location provides a space for the toddlers who visit to reap these benefits and more as they grow physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.

When You Should Consider a Commercial Toddler Play Area

There is immense value in providing a toddler play area at your commercial location. Creating a space that is appealing to both kids and parents sets your business apart as a family-friendly destination. When the whole family can have fun at your location, parents will keep your business in mind for their next family outing. Overall, attracting families can help your business grow.

The following types of businesses should consider getting a commercial toddler play area to enhance the family appeal at their location:

• Day cares: Play areas for day cares maximize learning outcomes, stimulate imagination and keep kids engaged throughout the day.
• Zoos: Zoos, aquariums and other wildlife centers are all about education and fun. Including a play area for toddlers is an excellent way to boost visitation and provide opportunities for kids to engage with their environment.
• Malls: As more people resort to shopping online, malls need to find new ways to attract families. Toddlers can enjoy an interactive play area designed for their needs while their parents socialize.
• Religious centers: Play areas for places of worship are an exciting way to improve the visitor experience and make families feel welcome.
• Amusement parks: Creating a toddler play area can attract more families to your amusement park by allowing young kids to take a break from the excitement and parents to rest their feet for a while.
• Museums: Many museums, especially those geared toward kids, are considering creating toddler play areas to engage kids and increase attendance.

A toddler play area is an excellent solution to increase visitation, retention and engagement at your commercial location.

Ways to Create a Commercial Toddler Play Area

Creating a toddler play area involves more than picking out toys or a play set. There are several important considerations and factors you need to keep in mind. Remember, parents will make sure your play area meets certain criteria before allowing their kids to play in a public place.

Accessibility, security, safety, variety of equipment and other amenities are all important aspects of a successful toddler play area. Learn more about the steps to creating a commercial toddler play area below.

1. Decide on Your Location

Your play area’s location can significantly impact how often your play area is used. When deciding where to build your commercial play area, consider these factors:

• Accessibility: Your play area should be close to your facility or within easy walking distance from the main entrance. For example, families might be more willing to use a play area if they can access it easily from your parking lot. You’ll also want to strive to make your play area accessible for everyone so that all kids and guardians can enjoy it. Some parents, grandparents or even kids may not be able to use stairs to reach the play area.
• Security: While you want your play area to be accessible to visitors, you also want to minimize hazards. Keep all doors and windows near a play area securely locked and remove other physical risks. Also, consider how circulation moves throughout your venue and put your play area in a location that doesn’t interrupt traffic.
• Available space: A crucial consideration is how much room your establishment has for an indoor play area. Play equipment will list the required space needed in their manufacturer instructions. However, always account for needing more space than listed because your play equipment needs to have plenty of space above and around it so kids can easily move around. Plan additional space for cushiony surfacing, plus any fencing or barriers you need to include.

If you have limited space at your commercial location, creating a toddler play area is still possible. With the proper equipment and strategic planning, you can fit play areas into small spaces. Whether you choose a custom design or a prefabricated small play structure, you have lots of options for squeezing the most value out of a small area.

2. Determine Your Capacity

The number of toddlers you expect to play in your play area will determine how large of a play area you should build. Schools and churches likely have a pretty concrete attendance number, but other businesses may need to estimate. For locations that see a lot of toddlers, you’ll want to build a play area that can accommodate as many kids as possible.

While toddlers don’t require as much physical space as older kids, open play spaces are still beneficial to toddlers. These open areas can encourage exploration and get them moving. Plus, additional space helps kids feel comfortable within the play area. Toddlers are still learning how to crawl, walk and stand, so it’s a good idea to have extra space so kids of all abilities can have fun.

Additionally, toddler play areas need unobstructed views so parents can watch their toddler’s activities. You’ll also want to consider the amount of space parents or supervisors will need to monitor their toddler’s play. Will you include seating in the play area, or will parents stand? Keep this in mind when considering your play area’s capacity.

3. Design With Toddler Play in Mind

Toddler play differs from the play of older kids in significant ways. Play development advances in stages as kids get older and grow emotionally. Consider these stages of toddler play development when designing a play space for kids to enjoy:

• Solitary play: Remember, not all kids enjoy social play. Toddlers are just beginning to play with others, and some may not yet feel comfortable in large groups. Provide your visitors with play area equipment that works for solo play, like play panels. This allows younger kids or those who get easily overwhelmed to take a break from other visitors and still enjoy your play area.
• Onlooker behavior: Kids in this stage prefer to watch the activity without joining in. Creating spaces on the perimeter of your play area gives these toddlers a designated area to watch others play.
• Parallel play: In parallel play, young kids play near or next to other kids but don’t interact directly. Toddlers in this stage may use the same equipment as other kids without coordinating their activities. Instead, every toddler climbs or swings on their own. Including some elements that allow parallel play will make kids in this stage more comfortable.
• Cooperative play: Social or cooperative play is when kids interact and play together in the same activity. Even younger toddlers might be at this stage of play development if they’re more outgoing than their peers. Toddlers may create games together, take turns performing the same action or spin each other on a spinner.

Be sure to provide various types of equipment to appeal to toddlers in all stages so they can choose the level of interaction they want with others. Including various play area pieces with different functions encourages multiple forms of play. For instance, cooperative equipment gives social toddlers the chance to make friends, while a more private space that lets kids play quietly is ideal for more reserved kids. It is also good to include equipment that crawling toddlers can use to pull themselves up.

By appealing to various play types, your play area will continue to get used by kids as they grow through different play stages. This may also make your play area the ideal location for families with kids of various ages, as there is something for everyone.

4. Choose the Right Equipment

Choosing age-appropriate play equipment is essential to creating a toddler play area your visitors will love and use repeatedly. Investing in play equipment that suits the unique needs of kids ages 2 through 5 makes the space more relevant for your audience.

Select equipment for your toddler play area based on these criteria:

• • Difficulty: Toddlers often prefer a more calming pace than older kids. For instance, most toddlers need full-body activities to strengthen their bodies and motor skills as they grow. However, play area users in this age group can’t handle larger slides or ramps that older kids navigate easily. Large play structures may also be daunting to young kids, so smaller equipment, like independent play structures, are generally better.
  • Size: Toddlers are earlier on the path of physical development than those in elementary and middle school, so it makes sense that their play needs are different. Toddlers need play equipment that fits their height and weight and accommodates their mobility. Look for short ladders, lower platforms and other independent play systems that fit a toddler’s height and weight but still provide a challenge.
  • Interests: Toddlers are easily satisfied with bright shapes, colors and sensory objects. These physical stimulations are exciting for young kids, so focusing on play equipment that engages the senses and lets toddlers experiment will help draw kids in. When choosing sensory equipment to include in your play area, consider adding play panels which can help build toddlers’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

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5. Make It Safe for Toddlers

One of the most important aspects of creating a commercial toddler play space is safety. Protecting your visitors from hazards is vital for any commercial business. A toddler play area requires some safety considerations because of these visitors’ size and physical capabilities. Here are some tips for making your space secure for toddlers:

• Separate a toddler’s play area from one for older kids: If you have play areas for multiple age groups, keep the younger and older kids separated as best as possible. Toddlers are too small and lack the balance, agility and speed needed to play on larger equipment designed for older kids. Help parents and guardians ensure toddlers are protected by putting up barriers between other play areas.
• Eliminate tight spaces and overcrowding: Play areas should have plenty of room for free and active play while avoiding overcrowding. If the play area is congested, kids could easily bump into each other, especially in popular areas like swing sets and at the bottom of slides. Ensure plenty of maneuvering space in places where toddlers will likely crawl or hide. You can also insert netting in tight spaces to prevent kids from getting their arms stuck.
• Use the right safety surfacing: Young kids might take a tumble in the play area every once in a while, and you want to ensure they have a safe place to land. Safety surfacings like pour-in-place rubber and modular tiles help absorb impact and maintain an even floor surface.
• Remember developmental differences: Your toddler play area might attract kids between the ages of 2 and 5. This age group grows and changes quickly. Toddlers are also still learning to share space. Ensure toddlers have enough space to do their own thing without getting in the way of each other.

6. Consider a Theme

Creating a toddler play area is an opportunity to imagine and build an exciting, enjoyable experience for the young kids who visit your commercial location. There are various ways to create a commercial toddler play area, so once you’ve decided on what elements and equipment you want in your play space, consider using a theme to create a cohesive design. Themed play areas encourage pretend play among young kids and set your business apart from others. A well-designed themed play area provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience at your venue.

Here are just a few play area theme ideas to get you started:

• Safari: A zoo or other wildlife center might choose a safari theme to get kids interacting with the wildlife — the plastic kind, of course.
• Under the sea: An underwater theme perfectly fits an aquarium and creates a calming atmosphere in other businesses like doctor’s offices.
• Outer space: Space centers might choose an outer space-themed play area, complete with planets and rocket ships.
• Nature: If you have a kids’ science museum, include butterflies, wildlife and nature-inspired elements in your playground to create a truly immersive experience.
• Cars: A car dealership might entertain toddlers with a car-themed play area while parents shop.

While choosing a play area theme is a fun part of creating a toddler play area, there are still a few important things you should keep in mind when selecting a play area theme:

• Customization is nearly endless: Custom play areas are an excellent way to create a theme of your own. If you can dream it, you can do it. From medieval castles to train stations, a play area designer can help you bring your idea to life and design a playground that fits your space. Sometimes, the more creative you get, the better.
• Consider your branding: A play area can be an extension of your business’s unique brand. Incorporate elements like your business’s logo, mascot, products or colors to design a totally unique toddler play area. Including personal branding elements can help set your play area apart from competitors.
• Keep space in mind: Some themed play areas have prefigured dimensions, making them more challenging to adapt to small spaces. If you have a small or uniquely shaped play area, you may want to consider custom design options to make the most of your space.

7. Keep Parents in Mind

If you want your toddler play area to attract parents to your business, it’s essential to keep their needs in mind, too. Providing parents with some amenities while they watch their young kids makes your playground a welcoming place for all visitors. Catering to parents also helps them gather a favorable image of your business.

Consider these tips to appeal to the parents who visit your commercial location:

• Remember the site amenities: Place the play area near other popular amenities to improve visitation to your toddler playground. Parents may find it helpful to have a bathroom and water fountains nearby where they can take their toddler when the need arises. If your venue has a food court or cafeteria, this could be another feature to have within sight.
• Make parents comfortable: Depending on your organization, parents who bring their toddlers to enjoy your playground may be there for a while. Play area seating and storage are helpful additions to make parents comfortable while supervising their kids.
• Include plenty of signage: Include play area signs to direct parents to your play area and tell them age limits, safety information and other playground rules.

Why Choose Soft Play® for Your Toddler Play Area Equipment

When you’re designing a commercial toddler play area, consider partnering with Soft Play®. Soft Play is a global leader in indoor play areas and equipment, with installations in over 60 countries. Our play areas help businesses attract families and keep them coming back with unique and exciting play areas that suit your specific needs.

Expertise

With over 30 years of experience, Soft Play playground building consultants know how to create the play area that works for your business. We’ve helped design a wide variety of toddler play areas both kids and parents love, and we can do the same for you.

Our team can work with you on a custom design or meet any other specifications you have to ensure your play area fits your needs. Our expert sales representatives will also guide you through the process and provide guidance on themes and ADA compliance.

Selection of Play Equipment

At Soft Play, we understand that toddlers have special play needs. That’s why we have specifically designed play elements and equipment for toddlers in an array of designs and sizes. Providing equipment and toys designed for toddlers allows kids to make the most out of their play experience.

Some of our popular toddler play equipment includes:

• Foam play sculptures: Our foam play sculptures are perfect for adding a fun toddler-sized climbing opportunity to your play area. These sculptures come in a variety of styles, from semirealistic to abstract and whimsical.
• Sprouts toddler equipment: Sprouts toddler equipment includes a variety of toddler-sized equipment that encourages motor skill development. With these play structures, toddlers can safely climb, crawl, spin and more.
• ATOM: If you need a toddler-friendly play structure for a small area, the ATOM contained play area is a great choice. This compact play structure can provide tons of fun playtime and handle high traffic with its unique and durable design.
• Small play structures: Our small play structures are great for little hands and little spaces. This toddler-sized structure still packs as much fun as bigger play areas.
• Play panels: Incorporate an educational element into your play area with our play panels. Help toddlers build their problem-solving and motor skills with various types of play panels. Counting, matching and shape recognition — we’ve got it all.

Financing

Creating a toddler play area requires a significant investment in your business’s future. That’s why we offer financing options — so you don’t have to wait to get started on your toddler play area. Some of our Soft Play financing solutions include leasing, same-as-cash financing and more.

Customer Support

Soft Play personally trains and certifies its approved professional installers to ensure your play area is correctly assembled. Additionally, our installation pros are also there to help you maintain or repair your equipment when needed.

Design Your Commercial Toddler Play Area With Soft Play Today

Whatever your type of organization, adding a commercial toddler play area will help you attract families, engage them during their visit and keep them coming back again and again. When you partner with the playground consultants at Soft Play, you can create a totally unique, enjoyable play area designed for toddlers and their parents that reflects your business.

Soft Play has a broad selection of toddler play area equipment to meet any need, and our design consultants are ready to help you turn your dream into reality. Request a quote to begin the design process today and improve your facility with a commercial toddler play area.