Neighbourhood indoor play centre

Parents and caregivers of babies, toddlers and young children, plus families booking birthday parties, especially during long winters and wet weather.

Entry fees or multi-visit passes, birthday party packages, café sales and sometimes memberships or holiday camps.

• Customer service and friendly with families
• Safety awareness and cleanliness
• Managing staff, bookings and a budget

• Zoning, occupancy, fire and building rules for your unit, check with your municipality before signing a lease
• Commercial general liability insurance, ask insurers about cover for children's play
• A café serving food usually needs a permit from your local public health unit
• Equipment safety standards and regular inspections, ask your provincial regulator or supplier what applies
• Staff background checks, first aid training and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Slow summer months and high rent, plan cash flow for seasonality

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the size of your unit, the play equipment, fit-out and café setup. Rent is a high fixed cost, so these estimates are a starting point for your own budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, size, drop-in numbers, birthday party bookings and café sales. Summer months can be slow, so plan your cash flow around seasonality.

Check zoning, occupancy, fire and building rules with your municipality before signing a lease. Also check liability insurance for children's play, a public health permit for any café, equipment safety standards, staff background checks and WCB or WSIB coverage.