The new face of indoor play

The cleaning and hygiene protocols that the best play venues had perfected before Covid hit were rolled out across the industry in 2020. Led by the Association of Indoor Play,  it's members pledged to protect customers and staff alike and finally cast aside the dirty image of softplay. The Association of Indoor Play, formed at the start of the pandemic to save an industry at the time on the brink of collapse, worked up a brand new set of industry guidelines with Public Health England support including Professor Van-Tam coming to visit one of their venues. They work in consultation with Government Departments and UK Hospitality and are also accredited indoor play venues with the visit England/visit Britain accreditation.

And it shows....the guidelines it’s members guidelines reach far beyond masking and social distancing, with levels of hygiene that  impress even the most concerned parent. If you go to an indoor play venues, then ask if they are in the Association of Indoor Play - it's a good sign that it's a well run clean venue and likely includes modern food & service styles as well as a break between timed sessions for intense cleaning. 
 
The biggest change must be introduction of timed entry slots; with entry queues slashed and guaranteed entry space, as well as the ability to select quieter time slots if desired.  It also enables venues to better manage loyalty schemes and facilitate communication to customers about special events.  Prior to online booking most people would turn up at the same time (often mid-morning) which resulted in queues on the door and at the café.  Now venues can manage the bookings throughout the day and spread them so everyone has a vastly improved experience.  It does mean you might need to book early to get your preferred time-slot, but it's so worth it!!!
 
Many centres have also replaced the tradition ball ponds, which were subject to a temporary ban, with new interactive play games such as digital interactive climbing walls, interactive tough floors and speed reaction games. Some plan to bring the ball pits back when it is safe to do so.  Another new trend exploded into venues across the country is Role Play; watch your children act out everyday scenes from making lunch, delivering the mail or fixing cars, all in themes play settings designed in perfect size for little ones to feel at home in.  From venues dedicated to Early Years aged children with resources that nurseries can only dream of, offering a nurturing heartwarming and bonding experience between parent and child, through to large Family Entertainment Centres were role play is another activity to keep kids busy for the entire day, it's a must have play adventure for families.
 
And what should we expect with food? With the help of the AIP and experts from one of their key suppliers, Regency , many venues used lockdown to give menus a complete facelift to improve quality and speed of service using new technology to offer online booking direct from your table.
 
Who is driving these changes?  The indoor play industry is predominantly made up of independent, family-run businesses.  Many of them took a big risk to set up their business in the first place and their innovation and spirit has shown through to make all these changes whilst the industry was on the brink of collapse.  So rising out of the pandemic are play venues that are vastly improved: cleaner, improved play value, less queues and a better experience for children and parents.  They are not out of the financial challenges yet. For most it will take a strong 12 months of trading to even start paying back all the new debt they have had to take on but the future of play is looking good for children and parents.  But, with all the changes there really has never been a better time to go and visit your AIP member local indoor play centre.