Children activity business idea I'd like feedback on

[Elzayedi]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on an idea for a kids’ activity business and would love your feedback. The concept involves a portable interactive projector and a portable wall that displays engaging games. Kids would interact with the games by hitting soft balls at the projections, combining physical activity with fun challenges and different themes.

The plan is to run weekend classes with interactive gameplay and skill-building, as well as birthday parties featuring customised, themed games. The portable setup would make it easy to bring this activity to multiple venues.

I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this idea!

Thanks!

 

[fisicx]

Or you could just chuck balls at some chalked targets drawn on a wall.

Not really sure how engaging this would be. It might keep the children occupied for a few minutes but I suspect they would soon get bored.

 

[HFE Signs]

I think its quite novel and kids at the right age would enjoy it, as a business though, I'm not sure you'd be able to make it viable when you factor in all costs and your time. Have you looked at the figures and what you'd need to charge to make it worth while? Interesting though, best of luck

 

[Elzayedi]

Or you could just chuck balls at some chalked targets drawn on a wall.

Not really sure how engaging this would be. It might keep the children occupied for a few minutes but I suspect they would soon get bored.

Thanks for your feedback!!

 

[Mark T Jones]

2 things you need to do

Detailed research around your target audience

Cashflow projections

As is so often the case, it could work, or it could fail. The difference is in the execution

 

[Porky]

My initial thoughts are that Yes, sure it could prove to be great with the kids BUT making something like this financially viable a whole new ball game (sorry to use the pun)

Thing is money is tight and it’s the parents paying - that’s your challenge. Run the numbers and see if any margin left? My gut is telling me your potential returns on time and cash investment required will be too low to be viable unless you can run next to a giant inflatable slide or something similar that you could also charge for but even then I’m thinking it will be tough.

Good luck

 

[fisicx]

A friend of mine hired a mobile game trailer for his grandson’s birthday. All the children could play MarioKart or whatever at the same time.

With your idea @Elzayedi - would they all be playing at the same time or would they be taking turns? If the later it would get very tedious waiting for your go.

How big is this portable wall? Will it fit in a small room? How will you prevent boisterous children from knocking against it or the projector?

As others have suggested, detailed market research and costings will determine viability. You could end up spending thousands on equipment and marketing and get very few bookings. Or get bookings but little engagement which would reduce the word of mouth referrals (a key marketing component).

 

[Socio South West]

It sounds like an idea, but the problem may be finding either large enough venues or venues that would accept balls being thrown or hit by kids! However soft and gentle, these will come under the heading of projectiles which many venues would be very wary of: You will probably face quite large damage deposits, and maybe outright refusal.

As others have said, you need to carry out a thorough practical and financial evaluation before you invest too much in the idea: I would suggest that this forum of general business brains, however battered and decrepit they may be, is the first step before you get talking in more depth to some that know the play and party market, and also the safety and insurance angles in depth.

 

[WaveJumper]

All of the above but interesting concept if the numbers work. I could see it being engaging if the "film show" was novel ie hit the ghosts, how many goals can you score, make it a competition or something similar, but how are you going to make the content

 

[Porky]

Yes, I do agree that how much traction the OP can gain with a new game being introduced is a factor. If it’s a hit, mums at that party may keep the details for the next one but once that cycle is complete the OP needs to find fresh clients again. Also, because it’s a new concept unless someone already knows about it, they are not looking for it hence harder sell for new clients.

But the big elephant in the room for me remains the financial viability of it. How many times can you hire per week? Likely massive number of dry days without hire. The parents spending is limited especially once they have paid out for cake, goodie Bags and other party stuff, not much left over for entertainment games?

I kind of see this in as similar to bouncy castle hire, massive outlay for the equipment and set up and by the time you have run so many events to break even on the equipment costs the equipment needs replacing and start again. Think it will be a tough one this.

 

[MeAndMyAi]

Wow, whole lot of positive people here lol!

First of, it takes three great things people are crying out for - for kids. Exercise, Technology and Interactive Learning. Easy to copy, so get the best, most obvious name, the kind of thing people will search for and buy up the domain names now and secure the socials, 123-reg are doing 1p domains for first time customers.

Excellent multi avenue opportunity, schools, parties, creches, weddings (keep the kids busy), health and safety education (Local Authorities love that jazz), huge list.

Cheap treats to be won, kids go away with a tangible gift, parents are double happy (make it a cute character fridge magnet and they'll be advertising to coffee pals for you. Add to that Bag-Trinkets (logo on school bags), mobile phone charms, etc etc. And boom, you are the name in the game

Projectors are cheap as chips now and easy to get Android powered ones for games and stuff.

As soon it booms, you sell it on as areas, give me two and half grand (whatever you want) I'll set you up with a portable wall, projecter and pre-loaded tablet, Give you initial area marketing tools, flyers, a few how to's on what works on Social Media, and any leads within her area, all hers, you'll just take a £20 (or whatever) booking and admin fee.

Cracking idea!

Remember, people said the internet would never take off. Put your heart and soul in to it, it will take off.

Easy to market, get on it I say!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

123-reg are doing 1p domains for first time customers.

Please do not do that - you generally have to pay for 2 plus years and their domain proces are not generally the best value (do they still also show ex VAT prices?). Many people then get suckered (or feel obliged) into their domain hosting....

Re the idea, as I have 2 youngish childred, it could work, but you need to work out how to keep groups of 10/20/30 children engaged.

As mentioned, it's all in the planning and execution.

 

[MeAndMyAi]

Please do not do that - you generally have to pay for 2 plus years and their domain proces are not generally the best value (do they still also show ex VAT prices?). Many people then get suckered (or feel obliged) into their domain hosting....

Re the idea, as I have 2 youngish childred, it could work, but you need to work out how to keep groups of 10/20/30 children engaged.

As mentioned, it's all in the planning and execution.

Web hosting for a startup, Unlimited Web Hosting (UK outfit too) and as to 2+ years for a domain, yes, 100% do that. But yeah, speak to someone in the know, as I have had so, so, so many clients that have paid for emails, ssl and all sorts of addons that are free, with places like Ionis, Wix and all that nonsense.

 

[MeAndMyAi]

Also, despite what most people will tell you, market it to money, half the work for the same money and the easiest to sell to. Don't chase pennies when you can chase pounds for the same effort.

 

[fisicx]

The problem isn’t the idea. The problem is the execution.

Even insurance is likely to be costly if even available.

Kids will chuck balls everywhere. If they have to wait 10 minutes for their go they will get bored and start messing about. Which means aunty Joan’s precious vase could get knocked off the shelf by some 10 year old. @Elzayedi will be picking up the bill for that.

And then Billy comes racing into the room and crashes into the projector and it breaks. End of party and probably the next few booking as well.

Yes a website is easy to set up but the cost of running the business could be far higher than potential earnings.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Wow, whole lot of positive people here lol!

First of, it takes three great things people are crying out for - for kids. Exercise, Technology and Interactive Learning. Easy to copy, so get the best, most obvious name, the kind of thing people will search for and buy up the domain names now and secure the socials, 123-reg are doing 1p domains for first time customers.

Excellent multi avenue opportunity, schools, parties, creches, weddings (keep the kids busy), health and safety education (Local Authorities love that jazz), huge list.

Cheap treats to be won, kids go away with a tangible gift, parents are double happy (make it a cute character fridge magnet and they'll be advertising to coffee pals for you. Add to that Bag-Trinkets (logo on school bags), mobile phone charms, etc etc. And boom, you are the name in the game

Projectors are cheap as chips now and easy to get Android powered ones for games and stuff.

As soon it booms, you sell it on as areas, give me two and half grand (whatever you want) I'll set you up with a portable wall, projecter and pre-loaded tablet, Give you initial area marketing tools, flyers, a few how to's on what works on Social Media, and any leads within her area, all hers, you'll just take a £20 (or whatever) booking and admin fee.

Cracking idea!

Remember, people said the internet would never take off. Put your heart and soul in to it, it will take off.

Easy to market, get on it I say!

This is the type of mindless positivity that has me crying with my head in my hands when people want to take on pubs.

What warranties or guarantees are you offering?

Websites and projectors are cheap. Whoopie-doo. How much will their insurance be? (almost certainly a top 3 overhead)

What experience do you have of getting money from local authorities? They love to talk the talk. With half of them teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, I can guarantee getting cash from them will be challenging.

The OP has been - sensibly - advised to do resreach and understand the numbers

That's proper business advice

 

[Elzayedi]

Thank you so much for all the feedback and advice, it’s greatly appreciated!

At this stage, it’s just an idea, but I’ll definitely be exploring all the points mentioned.

Here’s what I’m envisioning so far: offering scheduled sessions on weekend mornings, leaving the afternoons open for potential party bookings. During the week, the system would be available for schools, nurseries, and similar groups. The weekend sessions would likely be held in a rented venue (such as a hall) with 8-10 children per session with up to 4 sessions per day (potentially). Each week would feature a new theme, with games tailored to that theme. The system offers a variety of games to choose from, and the sessions would include both individual and team challenges to keep things exciting, engaging, and inclusive for everyone involved.

There’s still a lot to consider and work out before committing time, effort, and resources, but this is the direction I’m currently thinking.

Thanks again!

 

[fisicx]

Why would schools take children out of class, transport them to the hall for an hour then take them back to school?

Who is going to arrange a party in the afternoon before school is over?

If you can only cater for 10 children in a session it’s going to be expensive for the participants.

Consider also parties need food and drink. Parents will want fully catered events.

Is this a system you can buy off the shelf? Do you have to buy the new games and activities?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thank you so much for all the feedback and advice, it’s greatly appreciated!

At this stage, it’s just an idea, but I’ll definitely be exploring all the points mentioned.

Here’s what I’m envisioning so far: offering scheduled sessions on weekend mornings, leaving the afternoons open for potential party bookings. During the week, the system would be available for schools, nurseries, and similar groups. The weekend sessions would likely be held in a rented venue (such as a hall) with 8-10 children per session with up to 4 sessions per day (potentially). Each week would feature a new theme, with games tailored to that theme. The system offers a variety of games to choose from, and the sessions would include both individual and team challenges to keep things exciting, engaging, and inclusive for everyone involved.

There’s still a lot to consider and work out before committing time, effort, and resources, but this is the direction I’m currently thinking.

Thanks again!

It's great that you are here now, asking and thinking before diving in..


One of this firsts things I'd so is talk to someone- eg @Frank the Insurance guy about insurance costs and implications, because I suspect that alone will be something of a shock.

 

[MeAndMyAi]

Websites are not cheap, well, not ones that actually work and add value. That is where most of these projects fail, having a sub par website. And as to Local Authorities not paying is laughable, they are not easy contracts to get, but once you get one, it's a domino effect, can be 30-90 days too, but they pay. Take it from a guy that's had NW Leicestershire council as a client and currently through on a 60-66k tender for a LA's venue website rebuild. I guess it just depends what you are used to.

In fact, any of you on MLS would also know that LA contracts has made their No. 1 chap a completely new career.

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” -Steve Jobs.

 

[WaveJumper]

Just a list of thoughts that came to mind:

1, All singing all dancing website I don't feel necessary in start up
2, Social media is the way to go / specifically targeting local area to begin with
3, Think locations to show off new idea - community centres even approach shopping centres ie pop up shop for a week landlords love bring some life to those empty units
4, I feel once the kids get engaged with the new format parties requests will follow - especially when they all leave with a flyer.
5, Speak to @Frank the Insurance guy - a must do
6, Think about having H&S plan in place venues are going to want to see a copy
7, As mentioned (having a teacher in the clan) schools will not becoming to you but nothing stopping you going to them especially when you suggest you want to try out the new concept for free - sending the kids home with those flyers again.
8, Yes games but if you can also include educational "fun learning" packs into your idea, an easy win with schools.

And lastly one of my sons bought a small projector off Ali Express for his bedroom just before Christmas (I know we used some pretty expensive kit back in the boardroom days) but have to say was blown away by the quality of the picture (4K) from something no bigger than a large torch - how times have changed

 

[Mark T Jones]

Just a list of thoughts that came to mind:

1, All singing all dancing website I don't feel necessary in start up
2, Social media is the way to go / specifically targeting local area to begin with
3, Think locations to show off new idea - community centres even approach shopping centres ie pop up shop for a week landlords love bring some life to those empty units
4, I feel once the kids get engaged with the new format parties requests will follow - especially when they all leave with a flyer.
5, Speak to @Frank the Insurance guy - a must do
6, Think about having H&S plan in place venues are going to want to see a copy
7, As mentioned (having a teacher in the clan) schools will not becoming to you but nothing stopping you going to them especially when you suggest you want to try out the new concept for free - sending the kids home with those flyers again.
8, Yes games but if you can also include educational "fun learning" packs into your idea, an easy win with schools.

And lastly one of my sons bought a small projector off Ali Express for his bedroom just before Christmas (I know we used some pretty expensive kit back in the boardroom days) but have to say was blown away by the quality of the picture (4K) from something no bigger than a large torch - how times have changed

All great points to get things off the ground

However, before that the OP can be doing some good value research just 'asking around'

The golden rule of good advice and good research being 'dig out the answers you don't want to hear, not just the ones you do'. 90% of the value lies in those uncomfortable answers

I know diddly-squat about projectors, but the OP must appreciate that their equipment needs to be robust, durable and reliable (Possibly always with a spare to hand)

 

[fisicx]

Reading the opening post again and the portable wall thing is a bit confusing. For it to be interactive it needs to be touch sensitive. Which means it’s going to be a hefty bit of kit. And probably easily damaged. @Elzayedi - have you seen these walls? How big are they?

If you are visiting schools you may need multiple sets of kit as classes are up to 30 pupils.

And what’s to stop Cassandra running up and punch the wall to score points?

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

Hi @Elzayedi ,

It could be a workable business, but as has already been said, you need to do your research to make sure its financially viable.

How much will their insurance be? (almost certainly a top 3 overhead)

Mark is right - Insurance will be one of your bigger costs! Having events at other peoples sites/venues, looking after kids etc, all increases the insurers perception of the risk and the premium will reflect that!

with 8-10 children per session

Will you be doing this on your own? I suspect you will need at least 2 of you - have you considered the costs of another employee/helper?

Think about having H&S plan in place

This is a must - full Health & Safety policy will be needed - including full safeguarding. You will also need to complete full Risk Assessments.

No school or local authority will allow you to do anything without Insurance, Health & Safety, Risk Assessments and full DBS safety check!


Although could work if the games/activity catch the interest of the kids, the costs could be your biggest issue!

 

[NCEternal]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on an idea for a kids’ activity business and would love your feedback. The concept involves a portable interactive projector and a portable wall that displays engaging games. Kids would interact with the games by hitting soft balls at the projections, combining physical activity with fun challenges and different themes.

The plan is to run weekend classes with interactive gameplay and skill-building, as well as birthday parties featuring customised, themed games. The portable setup would make it easy to bring this activity to multiple venues.

I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this idea!

Thanks!

As a parent whose children have multiple degrees of disabilities I would love something like this.

It’s mess free, interactive and sounds relatively easy to both set up and take part in. It also sounds like something a child in a wheelchair would be able to take part in too, as they’re so often missed out or no one thinks to adapt party games for them. I actually love this.

If I was a dragon, I’d probably back you, definitely try to get a viability test further than comments from here.

 

[ethical PR]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on an idea for a kids’ activity business and would love your feedback. The concept involves a portable interactive projector and a portable wall that displays engaging games. Kids would interact with the games by hitting soft balls at the projections, combining physical activity with fun challenges and different themes.

The plan is to run weekend classes with interactive gameplay and skill-building, as well as birthday parties featuring customised, themed games. The portable setup would make it easy to bring this activity to multiple venues.

I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this idea!

Thanks!

You would be much better asking parents of children who are your target market in your location .