This is a very detailed and step-by-step guide for purchasing indoor amusement equipment. Whether you are planning to set up a children's park, a family entertainment center, or want to add an amusement area to a restaurant or shopping mall, this guide will help you systematically plan and make decisions.
### **Core Idea: Plan first, then purchase**
Do not contact the suppliers directly! Successful procurement begins with a clear business plan and an analysis of target customers.
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### **Phase 1: Preliminary Planning and Self-Assessment (Accounting for 70% of Success)**
1. Clearly define the market positioning and target customers
* **Age Group:** Is it a soft play area specifically for children aged 0-3, a comprehensive amusement park for children aged 3-8, an adventure challenge zone for children aged 8-15, or a family entertainment area for all ages?
* **Theme Style:** Ocean, Forest, Castle, Space, Science Fiction, Professional Experience? Themeing can significantly enhance appeal and memory points.
* **Consumption level:** Determines the grade of your equipment and the pricing strategy.
2. **Site Condition Measurement and Analysis**
* **Dimensions and Ceiling Height:** Measure the length, width, and height precisely. The ceiling height plays a crucial role in determining the type of equipment (such as large slides, climbing frames, trampolines) to be selected.
* **Load-bearing and Structure:** Understand the load-bearing capacity of the floor (especially for large play structures and sand pits). Confirm the location of the column grid and the fire escape route.
* **Entrances and Exits, and Flow Lines:** How will the equipment be moved in? How large should the safety passage be? How should the one-way flow be planned to avoid congestion?
* **Water and Electricity Points:** Requirements for water and electricity supply for electrical equipment, sand pool cleaning, and bathrooms.
3. **Set a budget**
* **Equipment procurement cost:** Accounts for approximately 50-70% of the total investment.
* **Design Installation Fee:** Professional design, transportation, installation, and commissioning costs.
* **Venue decoration cost:** Floor mats, walls, lighting, cash register, bathrooms, etc.
* **Operating Reserve Fund:** At least 3 to 6 months' worth of rent, labor costs, and other operational expenses should be reserved.
* **Principle:** "You get what you pay for." Do not overly cut the budget when it comes to critical aspects of safety and durability.
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### **Phase 2: Equipment Selection and Supplier Screening**
1. **Selection of Equipment Categories (Based on Your Positioning for Combinations and Complementations)**
* **Main Play Area (Attracting Visitors):**
* **Large-scale theme play area:** It includes slides, ball pools, tunnels, climbing structures, etc., and is a standard feature of traditional amusement parks.
* **Climbing and Expansion System:** Such as aerial climbing and rope net exploration, these activities are highly challenging and are very popular among older children.
* **Trampoline Zone:** Features professional trampolines, ninja courses, sticky walls, etc., offering highly interactive and athletic activities.
* **Interactive Projection Game:** Such as interactive ball-throwing, floor/wall interaction, with strong technological elements and the ability to update the content.
* **Special Experience Area (Creating Differences):**
* **Role-playing Area:** Simulates scenarios such as supermarkets, kitchens, and hospitals, suitable for young children.
* **Construction Area:** Large soft building blocks, Lego walls, etc.
* **Play area: ** It is recommended to use safe and hygienic psyllium seeds or wood chips for the sandbox.
* **Electric Equipment Area:** Miniature carousel, track cars, rocking machines, etc. (charged separately or included in the general ticket.)
* **Parent-Child and Relaxation Area (Enhanced Experience):**
* **Parent Rest Area:** Comfortable seating, charging sockets, Wi-Fi.
* **Infant Area: ** Safe crawling mat, rocking horse, picture book corner.
* Party room: Increase group income and customer loyalty.
2. **Key Considerations for Equipment Selection**
* **Security (top priority!) ：**
* **Environmentally friendly material:** Utilizes food-grade/eco-friendly HDPE plastic, imported engineering plastics, high-density foam, etc. The supplier is required to provide material safety test reports (such as SGS, ASTM, EN71, etc., international/standardized national certifications).
* **Structural Safety:** No sharp corners or burrs; all gaps and holes meet the standard for preventing children's fingers and heads from getting caught; the guard net is firmly attached.
* **Proper Protection: ** All elevated platforms must have guardrails, and the landing areas must have sufficient thickness of cushioning mats (EPE/EVA).
* **Durability and Quality: **
* **Frame material:** Galvanized steel pipes are superior to ordinary iron pipes (resistant to rust).
* **Connectors and Manufacturing Process:** Check if the welding is smooth and secure, and whether the sewing process of the sponge-covered part is precise.
* **Electronic Components:** For electric devices, check the brand and certification of the motor and controller.
* **Playability and Educational Value: **
Does the equipment help promote the gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social skills and creativity development of children?
Is the design interesting and can it attract children to play with it repeatedly?
* **Integration of Beauty and Theme: **
Is the color combination harmonious? Does the design conform to your overall theme?
* **Maintaining Convenience: **
Is it easy to clean and disinfect? Are there any vulnerable parts? Can the supplier provide long-term spare parts supply?
3. **How to Select Reliable Suppliers**
* **Visit the factory:** Try to conduct on-site inspections of the production areas to observe the raw materials, production lines, and processes.
* **Review Examples:** Watch videos or view pictures of their actual implementation cases in the past. It would be best if you could also visit the site in person.
* **Check qualifications:** Business license, product quality certification, safety production license, etc.
* **Service Inspection:** Does the service offer **free on-site measurement, personalized plan design, installation and commissioning, operation training, and after-sales warranty**? How long is the warranty period (usually 1-3 years)? How fast is the response?
* **Comparing quotations:** Request detailed proposals and quotations from 3 to 5 qualified suppliers. Conduct a comprehensive comparison, **do not just focus on the total price**, but rather compare the details.
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### **Phase 3: Procurement Execution and Implementation**
1. **Obtain the plan and quotation**
Provide the selected suppliers with your site CAD drawings, positioning and budget requirements.
It is required to provide **3D renderings, equipment layout plans, detailed equipment lists and specifications, itemized quotations, and service warranty terms**.
2. **Key Points for Contract Signing**
Specify the equipment specifications, materials, colors and quantities.
Specify the total price and the payment method (usually in multiple installments, including a deposit, payment before shipment, and payment after installation and acceptance).
Clearly define the delivery date, installation period and the responsibility for any delays.
Clearly define the scope of repair, the time limit, the response time for after-sales services, and the contact information.
Specify the allowable error range between the design effect and the actual product.
3. **Production, Installation and Acceptance**
* **Production Follow-up:** You can request that key milestones be photographed or video-recorded for feedback.
* **Receiving Inspection:** Verify the quantity and model, and check for any transportation damage to the appearance.
* **Installation Supervision:** Ensure that the installation team is professional, follows the drawings strictly, and pays attention to safety.
* **Final Inspection: **
* **Safety Inspection:** Shake to test the stability, and inspect all edges and crevices.
* **Functional Testing:** Test all devices and verify if the electric equipment is functioning properly.
* **Completeness Check:** Verify if it is consistent with the contractual provisions.
* **File Receipt:** Request for **equipment qualification certificate, warranty card, user manual, material safety report**, etc.
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### **Important Tips and Pitfall Avoidance Guide**
* **Avoid the temptation to go for "all-inclusive" solutions:** Placing too many devices in a limited space can make it look cluttered and pose safety risks. It's important to leave some space.
* **Emphasize "visual transparency":** Enable parents to easily observe their children, and they will feel more at ease.
* **Pay attention to fire safety regulations:** All materials must be flame-retardant, the emergency exits must be unobstructed, and communicate with the fire department in advance.
* **Consider long-term operation:** When choosing the equipment, think about the convenience of daily cleaning, disinfection, and inspection.
* **Reserve upgrade space:** As the market changes, some areas or budgets can be reserved to accommodate the introduction of new and trendy equipment in the future.
* **Consideration for small orders:** If it's a small-scale expansion, you can consider purchasing standardized products from well-known industry brands. This way, you can be assured of better quality and service.
### **Summary of the Purchase Process Diagram: **
Market research → Positioning budget → Site measurement → Scheme design (can be entrusted to suppliers) → Select suppliers → Obtain quotations and schemes → On-site inspection of factories/cases → Negotiation and signing of contracts → Production supervision → Installation and acceptance → Opening and operation
We hope this detailed guide will help you make wise decisions and create an indoor play area that is both safe and popular, as well as profitable in the long run! We wish you great success in your business!
