Thinking of setting up a play café? The demand for high-quality, family-friendly spaces that combine excellent food, barista coffee, and beautifully designed play areas is on the rise. More parents are looking for somewhere to relax while their children are entertained in a safe, inspiring environment.

If you’re planning to launch a soft play café, here are the key things to consider before you start.

1. Finding the Right Premises

Your premises will make or break your business. When assessing potential venues, think about:

Space: Do you have enough room for play equipment, seating, a kitchen, pram storage, and accessible toilets?
Layout: Can the space accommodate both active zones and quiet corners? We often integrate seating into play zones to maximise capacity and keep children in sight.
Ceiling height: Larger play structures need appropriate vertical clearance.

We can advise on how much space is needed for different age groups and play types.

2. Choosing a Great Location

Location is crucial. A strong concept won’t work if your café is hard to reach.

Footfall: Is it on a high street or in a retail park with regular traffic?
Accessibility: If you're relying on car journeys, is there ample, safe parking?
Visibility: Does the site have good signage and curb appeal?

The right location helps you build a loyal customer base from day one.

3. Designing the Play Area

This is where we come in. The play equipment is the heart of your business, so it should be safe, stimulating, and tailored to your audience.

Ask yourself:

What are the typical age ranges of your target market?
Do you want to focus on under 5s, or cater to older children too?
Will you offer sensory play for babies or quieter zones for neurodivergent children?

We also help clients design play spaces that are environmentally conscious — using sustainable materials and finishes where possible.

4. Food, Drink & Menu Planning

A play café is only as good as its coffee and food. Today’s parents expect:

Freshly made meals and snacks
Quality, barista-level coffee
Kids’ menus that go beyond chips and juice

Work with a chef or food consultant early on — it’ll shape your kitchen fit-out. Also consider allergy-friendly options, takeaways, and whether you’ll offer extras like birthday party catering or baby-led weaning options.

5. Business Model & Extras

To make your soft play café sustainable, think about extra revenue streams:

Birthday party packages
Toddler classes or baby yoga sessions
Memberships or loyalty schemes
Retail (toys, snacks, merch)

Each of these can help boost income and customer retention.

6. Everything Else: From Licences to Marketing

Opening a play café comes with admin and logistics:

Licences & insurance
Food hygiene certification
Hiring & training staff
POS and booking systems
Branding, signage & social media

It’s a big task — but a rewarding one. We’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs across the UK set up successful play cafés, and we’d love to help you too.

Start Your Play Café Journey with Us

At Tigerplay, we design and install bespoke soft play areas that look beautiful and perform brilliantly. If you're serious about opening a play café, speak to our experienced team for advice, design ideas, and end-to-end support.

Contact us today to get started.

FAQs About Setting Up a Play Café

How much space do I need for a play café?
It depends on your offering, but most successful play cafés dedicate 50–70% of the floor plan to play and seating combined, with the remainder for kitchen, toilets, and storage.

Can I set up a play café in a listed building?
Yes — we’ve worked in heritage sites before. We can design play areas that fit within planning constraints and respect original features.

What safety standards do soft play cafés need to meet?
All play equipment must meet EN1176 safety standards. We are Safe Contractor accredited and follow strict RoSPA guidelines during installation.

What age range should my play area target?
Most play cafés cater to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers (ages 0–5), but adding areas for older kids or siblings can help widen your appeal.

How long does it take to design and install a soft play area?
Typically 8–12 weeks from design approval to completion, depending on complexity and manufacturing time.

Setting up a Play Cafe: Key Considerations