How To Compare Indoor Playground Manufacturers

Do NOT think short-term

Watch out! Don't make the mistake to think this is a punctual decision within your project, even if it's one with a bigger price tag on. This decision WILL influence your business for the long-term, because the reality is that you're not only looking for someone who can supply indoor play structures. You're looking for a partner, and a long-term one.


So how do you figure it out? Here are few basic but essential questions:

After-sales: Do they really "walk the talk"? Most indoor playground manufacturers will promise "top-notch" after-sales service during the warranty period. Is it true? The easy way is to find out 2 or 3 recent projects still the warranty period (don't ask directly, they will never point you to someone they had an issue with - check their news feed or Facebook page) then call the people, explain your situation and ask for their opinion on after-sales.

Maintenance: Does the supplier offer maintenance and cleaning services? At a reasonable cost? Of a good quality? Once again, you can just search for older projects out of warranty period and ask the FEC owners about their experience.
Is the manufacturer also a supplier of play equipment and do they have a big stock available? Even if the products are of great quality, by the nature of the activity, they are submitted to intensive use and in the long run, emergency repairs can be required. Has your partner supplier a sufficient stock available of play equipment to answer these situations and keep your playground operational?

Of course, this is linked with the previous point about maintenance services. A good maintenance contract will minimize the risks of emergency repairs. But also if the manufacturer is a big supplier, they can get special attention of their own suppliers in some situations. Let take an example - the company producing the protective foams dressing the steel skeleton of your cheap play structure got bought out by a bigger player. And they are now changing the colors produced to match their production line. If your supplier is important enough, they can get arrange special production to have your needed colors available for future maintenance or repairs. That can be the difference between replacing a small portion on the play structure or an entire side of it. Savings, saving!

Is the manufacturer a pioneer in the industry? Do they develop new play attractions popular that become standards? You might be wondering "why is that important". Let's think long-term again. Your playground has been open for a while, is doing well but you're noticing that the "buzz" about your place is going down. Wouldn't be easier to be able to check your partner portfolio to see if any new exciting attractions, in your budget, are available? You know the people; you know the quality, have a maintenance contract, etc... Once again that could mean saving money.

Is the manufacturer keeping on advising you after the sales and a great source of information on the industry? Once the contract is signed, will this supplier, your long-term partner be of any help to get new ideas of popular activities, get information of marketing strategies which works, has a network or a community that will be beneficial for you to be part of for the growth and success of your enterprise.
Congratulations! You made it. You have now a truly clear comparison on the various indoor playgrounds offers you have received. Time to make now an educated choice with which you can feel great not only now but for the years to come.

Olivier LECA is marketing manager for the group European Leisure Industries (leading European indoor playground manufacturer)-https://bestonplayground.com, with a background of project manager in the Sales team of VCS Play France, member of the ELI group.

Olivier infuses the expertise of the group (more than 130 projects sold in 2011 and about 50 years of combined experience in the industry) within his articles series to help and support entrepreneurs with an FEC (Family Entertainment Center) creation project to make sure that they will optimize their chances of success.

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Discount Commercial Playground Equipment

Playgrounds provide not only recreation and a place for kids to get a fun workout, they also stimulate their imagination, promote agility, dexterity, balance and concentration. But playgrounds need proper equipment to enable children to get the most out of play time.


Commercial playground equipment is installed in schools, public playgrounds, day care centers and other places where many children gather. There are several things to be considered when selecting commercial playground equipment: the kind of material used, the durability and strength of the material, the number of attachments in the equipment, the safety aspects, the type of activities to be included in the equipment; provision of side amenities like benches, tables, bike racks or litter bins.

A unique feature of commercial playground equipment is that it is made for children of all ages, so it has to be strong and made of durable materials. Commercial playground equipment can also be custom designed to suit specific requirements like adjustable height, attractive colors to choose from, and budgets.

There are questions to ask before installing commercial playground equipment such as: can it accommodate many children at a time? It is durable against rough weather? Is there enough room for the equipment? Is the surface under the equipment safe and resilient? Is there enough space between the pieces of the equipment? Is the equipment suitable for the child? Does it seem risky or unsafe in any way? Are there any objects that are protruding out or those that may cause strangulation or cause the child to trip or fall? Is it easy to maintain? Is it environment friendly? Is there provision for children with special disabilities? Manufacturers are also designing environment friendly equipment to make it more durable as well as ecologically safe.

Also to be considered are the price, shipping details, assembly instructions and post-sales service. The Internet is a very good source for finding comprehensive information about playground equipment. There are several sites of manufacturers that would help you to locate the best equipment and compare prices.

Playground Equipment [http://bestonamusementparkrides.com/commercial-grade-playground-equipment-for-sale/] provides detailed information about playground equipment, commercial playground equipment, school playground equipment, residential playground equipment and more. Other new rides for playground -http://bestonamusementparkrides.com/new-amusement-rides-for-sale/

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7 Safety Points to Consider When Choosing Plastic Playground Equipment

If your child is a naturally playful climber, it may be time for you to take that energy outside! Today's plastic backyard playgrounds equipment come in a variety of options. But, like most major purchases, choosing the right one can go a long way in keeping your little clubhouse climber safe and entertained.

While today's plastic playsets are built according to strict safety codes that all manufacturers must follow, there are still features to look for that will ensure the safest possible choice for your child.


Rounded corners. Rounded edges create fewer opportunities for your little ones to snag themselves or their clothing and pose a less serious falling hazard should they fall directly on a corner.

Smooth surfaces. While plastic playsets are molded with smooth surfaces, woodland climbers depend on the type of wood used. If you are choosing wood, make sure the wood type is unlikely to splinter and will hold up well in strenuous weather conditions over time.

Nuts and bolts that sit flush to the parts. While most playsets come with predrilled holes for installation, they don't always sit flush to the pieces they are holding in place. Make sure that these are tightly installed and do not rise above the surface.

Structural strength. Plastic playgrounds are built sturdy. But they do have an age and weight limit. Consider them to be primarily aimed at toddlers. When it comes to wooden playgrounds,in order to provide a lot of features at a low price, some manufacturers use wood that meets the minimum requirement but is very thin for extensive use. Make sure the beams and support panels are sturdy and will not bend over time.


Unsafe openings. Openings that are between 3 ½ inches to 9 inches present the danger of head entrapment. Be wary of features that may harm a curious explorer.

"S" hooks. Open "S" hooks are considered potential entrapment and strangulation hazards that can catch on children's clothing. Make sure that these are tightly closed and not in a reachable area for small children.

Moving parts. Make certain that there are no exposed moving parts. Tiny fingers and hands can be easily pinched or crushed. All moving parts should be covered to prevent children from injury.

Keeping your child safe on your backyard playset begins with choosing the right one. Choose wisely and you will enjoy your purchase for years to come-and expel some of that energy!

For a complete resource on choosing a backyard playground and more great benefits of the Step 2 Naturally Playful Climbers, visit our site at [http://bestonamusementparkrides.com/commercial-grade-playground-equipment-for-sale/].

Doug and Judy Kramer are parents of six of their own kids. They are full-time parents, and in their spare time they are cultural architects, youth and young adult relationship-builders, writers, Web innovators, speakers, and friends to many.

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Why Buy Commercial Playground Equipment?

In today's fast-paced and tech-savvy world, it isn't hard to imagine why outdoor play has been replaced by gaming consoles, portable PCs and the internet. Children would rather have the latest iPad or Xbox game than actually learn a new soccer trick or be excited on hanging upside down on hanging bars - and that's the harsh reality. And if anyone is to be blamed for this, it is us. Parents all over the country have let children become engrossed in kiddie amusement park rides and gadgets and toys that outdoor play now seems foreign to most of them.


It has been long touted that playgrounds are the only viable option left to us but they too have been deserted as of late. This is primarily down to parents not being able to find the time to take their children to parks and playgrounds, and partly due to children not having enough time from their own schedules to visit the place or area themselves. If you're in the U.S, you would realize how busy children schedules have become of late. Homework is piling more and more on their heads and school hours haven't moved an inch towards being reduced. So you're naturally left with the weekends and we all know how occupied they become with the aforementioned gizmos.

One such recluse is sports - and that too if your child has any interest in them. But if you have children like mine who can't stand them, then you're in a bit of a problem. How do you fit in time for physical play for your children in such a situation? Well, readers, I may just have found a solution. Instead of taking children to the playground, why don't you bring the playground to the children?

Finding out how is the tricky part but we've got you covered on that front too. Start with finding the right spot to make the perfect playground. It could be outdoors but if you don't have the space, try building it indoors. It's a matter of choice and availability. Next, you need to identify the commercial playground equipment that your children will require. If your children are younger than 5 years, try minimal equipment with an indoor setting. But if your children are slightly older, the outdoors is your best bet, coupled with large and expansive playground equipment. You can also scrap the play-structures entirely and build one out of easily accessible materials. A rope-and-Tyre swing set with a small tree-house with a slide can be perfect retreating spots for kids http://bestonamusementparkrides.com/commercial-grade-playground-equipment-for-sale/.

Now I know what you're wondering: all of this is going to cost a lot! Well let's put things into perspective as I ask you, how much was spent on that latest Xbox or PlayStation and how many dollars/pounds you gave away to ensure every member of the house has an Apple Inc. device in their hands. Suddenly, the whole prospect of bringing the playground - and in fairness, physical play - to your children seems a lot more do-able and definitely worth it. Trust us.

Jason Walter is a New England Patriots' fan and devotes much of his time watching their plays on repeat and analysing and commentating by shouting at the TiVo. When he's not occupied with said duties, Jason likes to take his wife and sons on tours along the countryside. A proud father, he is also very interested in reading and writing about children and how parents can help them become all-round better people in the upcoming generation. Follow Jason's work here Commercial playground equipment.

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