Thrilling attractions? ✓

Awesome food? ✓

Lots to do? ✓

…But is your visitor attraction child friendly? Sounds like a silly question, right? Your attraction is aimed at children! However, there are a few things that some visitor attractions overlook, some fundamental features that are greatly appreciated by both parents and children.

Essential Facilities:

Examples: Changing rooms, nursing rooms and nappy dispensers

It may sound obvious but investing in basic facilities can make the world of difference. Not to mention being appreciated by parents and children alike. Having a safe, clean and quiet place at your visitor attraction where parents can change, nurse and care for their little ones.

Think about what supplies you may be missing, such as nappies, wipes and other essentials. Consider setting up a vending machine for these items. A simple solution like this could be a lifesaver for families and prevent the need to cut the trip short!

Catching Their Eye:

Examples: Signage at eye level or at least visible and Vendors with interactive menu/food boards.

Do you put your signs and advertisements at eye level, and we don’t mean adult eye level, but child eye level?
Signs should be at eye level or at least visible if aimed at children. Another thing to bear in mind is things like food menus. Think about what would interest the child. Colours, moving images and again accessible for them to see; although it is ultimately the parent’s decision what they buy for their child to eat, the child heavily influences the decision.

Children generally wouldn’t pay any attention to standard signage with bland text, icons and colours. Having signage that is quirkily coloured or themed with ‘out of the box’ shapes and images, is much more likely to catch children’s attention than standard signposting.

A Place To Rest… Or Change Of Scene:

Examples: Themed play equipment, adventure play, soft play, wet play, sand and water play etc

With so much constantly going on, days out can get overwhelming. Both parents and children often need to have a break from the thrill.

Think about adventure play areas that are in theme with your attraction. Themed play areas are a success because it carries on the adventure of the attraction yet allows the child’s imagination to take over. It allows small ones to have time to themselves to explore, discover and imagine. These play areas and adventure playgrounds also offer a well-welcomed break for busy parents. Think about creating a shelter, coffee station or small café for parents to take a time out and relax. Happy parents mean more playtime for children.

Also, think about creating a play area for all weather and seasons. Indoor themed adventure play areas, highly immersive roleplay spaces or natural play zones are some great options. Read more about indoor play spaces here.

For ideas and inspiration, see some of our previous adventure play areas we’ve completed on our case studies page here.

Next Steps:

If you would like to discuss any of these tips with us in view of making your venue more child friendly or would like more information about creating a themed or inspiration play space at your visitor attraction, please get in contact with one of our helpful team.

As you may have already seen, we are designers and creators of bespoke play and inspirational leisure spaces that give you, and your venue the ‘WOW’ factor. We deliver something unique for each and every client. Need Help with your project?

Talk to us on +44 2380 476 737 or go to our Contact Us page here.

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