How Do You Open a Kid’s Play Centre? A Guide
The children’s services market is growing rapidly, yet – interestingly – it is widely regarded as a high-risk sector. We are increasingly hearing about demographic decline, fewer potential customers, and growing competition. Does that mean a children’s play centre is no longer a viable business idea? Quite the opposite.
Today’s parents are more discerning than ever. They aren’t just looking for somewhere to keep their child occupied or a place to let off steam. They pay close attention to the quality of the activities on offer. They seek safe environments tailored to their child’s age, and they favour places that support psychological, physical and social development. Those who recognise this shift in parenting attitudes have a real advantage in the children’s services market. Even as birth rates fall, parents are willing to pay a premium for services that deliver genuine value.
Are you wondering how to open a play centre that will captivate children and meet parents’ expectations? What should you watch out for? And, most importantly, how much will it cost? Here’s what you need to know.
How do you open a play centre independently?
To open a play centre, you should start with market research – assessing whether your chosen location has the right potential. Get to know your target audience and tailor your offer accordingly. You’ll also need a solid business plan: defining revenue streams, projected costs, potential profits and risks. On top of that, there is everything involved in securing and preparing the premises – sourcing a suitable space, fitting it out and equipping it properly.
At this stage, external financing is often required. In short, opening your own play centre involves a significant amount of work and risk – especially at the beginning, when there are no guarantees of how the business will develop. This is particularly true if you have never run a business before.
How do you open a play centre through a franchise?
A more secure alternative to going it alone is opening a play centre within a franchise system. The key difference is that you are working with a proven business model. Instead of learning through trial and error, you have access to the know-how developed by the network – such as Xtreme KiDS. You take part in training programmes that prepare you not only to run a play centre, but above all to run a business.
Franchisees who have joined Xtreme Brands – the umbrella brand behind Xtreme Fitness Gyms and Xtreme KiDS – come from a wide range of backgrounds. Many had never run a business before. What they benefit from is the 10 years of franchising experience built up within the Xtreme Fitness Gyms network. That knowledge has also enabled us to refine and develop the Xtreme KiDS play centre concept.
Interested in opening your own Xtreme KiDS venue? Here’s how the process works:
- Sign up for a webinar to learn more about the Xtreme KiDS franchise.
- Expression of interest – let us know if you’d like to proceed.
- Have a call with our Expansion Manager.
- Watch an in-person presentation – see the play centre in action and learn about the processes, technology and tools.
- Have a one-to-one meeting to go over your business plan.
- Decision panel.
- Mutual decision.
- Signing the franchise agreement.
Premises and fit-out
Once the franchise agreement is signed, we help you find the right location for your play centre. We use advanced tools to assess the site potential. Venues typically start at 600 m² and are situated in areas frequented by families – such as shopping centres or retail parks. Good transport links and parking availability are essential.
We then design the space, carry out the fit-out and equip the venue. We negotiate favourable terms with suppliers on behalf of franchisees. You receive a fully completed premises, complete with all the required safety certifications and documentation. The full process of opening a play centre takes between 12 and 18 months.
The structures used in Xtreme KiDS venues are sourced from a Polish manufacturer, ensuring high quality and compliance with current safety standards.
How much does a play centre cost?
The cost of opening a play centre depends on many factors – including experience and familiarity with the process, or whether you are learning as you go. In the latter case, some decisions may be less accurate and increase the overall costs.
The renovation and fit-out of the premises costs around PLN 1 million, depending on the size, condition and location. On top of that come equipment, activity materials, marketing and other expenses. It is common for the final costs to exceed initial estimates.
The alternative is a proven franchise model. With Xtreme KiDS, franchisees operate based on established frameworks built on real data from existing venues, making investment levels and returns far more predictable. The model targets a return on investment (ROI) of approximately 3.5 years. The initial investment starts from around PLN 475,000. The full cost structure is clearly defined in advance and discussed in detail during your one-to-one meeting with the Expansion Manager.
How much can I earn?
Xtreme KiDS play centres generate revenue from birthday party bookings – which account for around 50% of income – as well as single-entry and group admissions. Additional revenue streams include catering, retail, classes and other services. More detailed figures are available during the in-person presentation.
Who can open a play centre?
In principle, anyone considering running their own business can open an Xtreme KiDS play centre. No formal industry experience or background in education or childcare is required. In practice, those most likely to succeed are people who understand the needs of children and their parents – safety, quality, structured activities, and support for development.
Our Franchise Partners come from all walks of life. Some have experience working with children, while others are managers, entrepreneurs, or professionals from construction and other industries. What they share is not a specific CV, but an entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and a willingness to get involved.
Within the franchise model, business knowledge is not required at the start – it is developed together. Xtreme Brands provides training in operations, marketing, sales, and venue management. Franchisees also receive support in recruitment and team training, ensuring that the venue operates with clear roles, standards, and processes from day one.
Is opening a play centre worth it?
The children’s services market is evolving. Despite demographic decline, family needs have not disappeared – they have changed. Parents now make conscious decisions about where their children spend time, prioritising safety, quality, structure and value.
Those who understand this shift are best positioned to build stable, long-term businesses. Success depends not just on the idea, but on the execution: a clear concept, a strong offer, consistent standards and effective operations. Interested? Sign up for our webinar and find out what working with us really looks like in practice!
