329: Summer Revenue Rescue for Indoor Playground Owners (Even WITHOUT Summer Camps)
The Profitable Play PodcastShow Notes
If you’re listening in real time, you know that summer is just around the corner—and if your foot traffic or bookings are starting to dip, you’re not alone. This season can catch even the most prepared indoor playground owners off guard. But here’s the good news: even if you didn’t get a summer plan in place months ago, it’s not too late to make a real impact on your revenue.
In this episode, I’m sharing creative, actionable, and low-lift ways to boost income quickly—even if you’re starting from scratch. These are strategies I used myself when we were struggling through slow summer seasons, and they helped us not only stay afloat but thrive.
I’ll walk you through how to: Rent out your unused play equipment for outdoor and at-home parties Offer balloon décor for off-site events, not just birthdays Host preschool and kindergarten readiness camps without needing certifications Fill a big market gap by offering baby-friendly classes and series Launch short-term summer memberships, especially for teachers Add a mini retail section with seasonal essentials and sensory-friendly options Run themed drop-off nights with a summer twist Take your café mobile by popping up at local markets and events Host profitable micro events that don’t require big crowds Open up private rentals for families looking for low-stimulation or exclusive play options
Remember, these don’t all need to be complicated or time-consuming. Many of these ideas can be launched in a day or two using the resources you already have—and just one or two can make a big difference in your bottom line this summer.
If you want help launching any of these ideas fast, be sure to check the show notes for links to free resources and templates inside Play Cafe Academy. And if you’re in Play Maker Society, bring your questions to our next group call and I’ll walk you through them step-by-step. Don’t let the slower season catch you off guard. Let’s get creative, stay scrappy, and make this your most profitable summer yet.
Episodes & Resources Mentioned: WellnessLiving Mobile Event Business Toolkit ($37) Episode 204: Summer Memberships Episode 99: Calculating ROI Of Renting That Booth Episode 325: Parent-Only Event Ideas Episode 249: Reuse Party Supplies And Make Extra Money Selling Busy Bags
OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: [email protected]
TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: [email protected]
TOOLS: Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!) Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
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