The Profitable Play Podcast

Every year (since 2019!), I release a trends episode for the indoor playground and play café industry — and this year, there was simply too much to cover responsibly in a single episode.

BLOG For this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/2026-play-cafe-trends

As I reviewed what I shared in my 2025 trends video (linked below) alongside what I’ve been seeing all year in Play Maker Society, my live events, and 1:1 coaching, the trends naturally fell into two buckets:

1) planning and design decisions that are expensive to undo

2) operational choices that determine whether a business actually runs sustainably

That’s why the 2026 trends are split into two parts.

Part 1 focuses on planning: space design, revenue structure, and early decisions that quietly lock owners into years of unnecessary stress if they get them wrong.

Many of the 2025 trends from last year's episode are still very relevant — including indoor/outdoor spaces, experience-led design, and bold, playful use of color — but the cost of missing these shifts is higher than ever.

This year's list is less about what's "new" and more about what's becoming non-negotiable to have a competition and receccsion-proofed business (that YES: actually pays you).

• Treating cafés as a core profit driver, not a side feature
• Designing spaces that increase length of stay and per-visit spend
• Inclusion and universal design as the standard, not a bonus
• Intentional layouts that reduce friction for families and staff
• Revenue models that prioritize retained profit, not just top-line sales
• Designing businesses that work with family behavior, not against it

• Over-relying on AI to plan your business without real-world validation
• Relying on hustle to fix structural problems
• Depending heavily on third-party vendors for food and party add-ons
• Skipping cafés without a clear replacement revenue strategy
• Treating inclusion as a marketing angle instead of a design foundation
• Assuming volume will make up for thin margins
• Building spaces that look good online but don’t function well in real life

This episode sets the foundation for Part 2, where we’ll shift from planning to execution — covering operational trends, optimization, and how owners are building businesses that run without burning them out.

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

As I wrap up 2025, I wanted to record an episode that goes deeper than trends (but YES, my annual trends prediction is coming up next!)— because what I’m seeing across the industry right now isn’t necessarily a lack of ideas.

It’s a lack of foundations.

BLOG for this episode

After a full year of interviewing indoor playground and play café owners, working through countless 1:1 sessions, and supporting owners inside Play Maker Society, the same patterns keep showing up — regardless of location, size, or years in business.

Owners are busy, but still stressed.

They’re marketing constantly, but not converting.

They’re deeply involved, but exhausted.

This episode brings together the seven pieces of advice I’m giving to (and getting from!) current owners right now — not based on theory or predictions, but on what I’m actively seeing work (and not work) in real businesses.

These are the areas where small leaks are creating big problems — and where tightening the fundamentals can immediately change how a business feels to run in terms of quality of life for YOU, the owner.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why what you post matters more than how often you post
• How most websites and patched-together booking systems quietly lose you money
• Why open play can’t be the thing holding your business up
• How recurring and high-ticket revenue change how the business feels to run
• Why email is still one of the most effective tools owners aren’t fully using
• How cafés, retail, and small add-ons raise spend per visit without more traffic
• What actually has to be in place for you to step out without everything breaking

I also share real examples from owners I’ve interviewed, coached, and worked alongside — including how some have intentionally reduced owner dependency, diversified revenue, and designed businesses that work even when they’re not physically present.

This episode isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about tightening what’s already there and focusing on the few things that actually make a difference right now.

If you’re heading into 2026 feeling busy but still stretched thin, this will help you get clear on where your attention really needs to go next.

RESOURCES/ BUSINESSES MENTIONED:

BLOG for this episode

Little Leaf Play IG

Little Play Avenue IG

(BLOG) Maximizing Cafe Profits (And Why You NEED A Cafe)

Evergeen Facebook + IG Ad Basics

Google Ad Basics

Interview with Jayci From Tiny Play

Interview with Justine from Liv and Mimis

Interview with Jessalyn from The Playroom WV

The Art Factory and Party Place

Grandma's Playroom

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

In this episode, I sit down with Jayci, owner of Tiny Play Café, for a thoughtful, experience-based conversation about what it looks like to operate a play café several years into the business.

Jayci shares how her café fits into the overall revenue picture, including how the café itself contributes to monthly sales and why local B2B sponsorships have become a meaningful and reliable part of her business model.

We dive into how she uses summer camps strategically to help offset slower seasons, what finally made camps work for her, and how timing, structure, and staffing played a role in their success.

We also discuss staffing realities, running a business from nearly an hour away, lessons learned during the build-out process, and how Jayci is thinking intentionally about the next phase of the business as her season of life evolves.

If you’re looking for practical insight, real examples, and perspective from an owner who has successfully navigated multiple seasons of this business, this episode offers a lot to learn from.

Tiny Play Cafe Website

Tiny Play Cafe Tik Tok

Tiny Play Cafe Instagram

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

Most indoor playground and play café owners don’t need more ideas going into a new year — they need better execution on the ones they already have.

In this episode, I break down exactly how I’m using AI right now to help my indoor playground business owner clients review numbers, tighten systems, and remove the operational friction that quietly drains time and profit.

This isn’t about trends or tech overwhelm. It’s a step-by-step, practical walkthrough of how I recommend using AI as an analyst, operations assistant, and planning tool so you can head into 2026 with clearer priorities, stronger systems, and far less on your plate.

BLOG for this episode

05:00–11:00 Strategy 1: Revenue analysis to find 2026 opportunities

11:00–15:10 Strategy 2: Fix party systems before busy season

15:10–17:10 Strategy 3: SOPs that don’t depend on the owner

17:10–19:00 Strategy 4: Floor-plan-based cleaning and safety

19:00–23:10 Strategy 5: Prevent membership churn with AI

23:10–25:35 Strategy 6: Pricing and add-on cleanup

25:35–27:55 Strategy 7: Customer message scripts and decision trees

27:55–29:50 Strategy 8: Policies and incident reporting systems

29:50–31:40 Strategy 9: Repurpose marketing content fast

31:40–34:15 Strategy 10: Website clarity, conversion, and SEO

34:15–38:35 Strategy 11: Partner and sponsor generation for 2026

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

If your Black Friday weekend fell flat or December sales feel slower than expected, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share proven, mid-December strategies that boost revenue quickly and with minimal stress. From annual membership offers to 2025 party pricing, holiday break camps, summer camp gift cards, retail live sales, low-lift holiday events, and more — you’ll learn exactly what works now, why it works, and how to implement it at your indoor playground or play café business.

BLOG for this episode

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why December often feels busy but not profitable
• How annual membership sales generate thousands in a week
• What email sequence converts existing monthly members
• How to sell 2026 parties right now — even if parents don’t have a date yet
• Why holiday break camps are a revenue lifesaver
• How to sell summer camp gift cards even before your program is finalized
• A unique and fun way to clear out retail inventory using live video
• Low-lift event ideas that sell out, especially for baby families
• How to pick ONE initiative at a time to avoid overwhelm
• The mindset shift that makes all these strategies work: ease > price

Links:

• Learn more or join Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society
• Live Event Waitlist
• Episode referenced: Low-Lift Holiday Events That Actually Sell Out
• Episode referenced: Customer Avatars 101
• Aluvii Demo With PCA Discount!

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

In today’s episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m joined by Justine, the owner of Liv and Mimi’s Play Café, who is now two years into her business journey.

WATCH on YouTube (plus get a tour of Justine's retail section: https://youtu.be/BpxtDLo8SNIz)

If you’re inside Play Maker Society, you already know how thoughtful and generous she is with her real-world experience—and today she’s sharing it all.

We focus heavily on retail, because Justine brings a strong background in merchandising and has used that expertise to turn her retail section into a powerful, profitable part of her business.

She walks us through how she chooses products, how she thinks about display and flow, what sells best for her audience, and the small changes that have had the biggest impact on her sales.

Beyond retail, we dig into the lessons she’s learned in her first two years of ownership—what she expected versus what surprised her, what she changed after year one, and how she continues to refine her operations, staffing, birthday parties, and membership strategy based on customer behavior.

If you’ve been wanting to grow your retail revenue—or you’ve felt stuck trying to choose the right products or manage inventory—this conversation will give you tons of practical insight and real examples you can apply right away.

Tune in to hear how Justine approaches retail with intention and how those strategies have contributed to both her revenue and her customer experience at Liv and Mimi’s Play Café.

Justine's Website

Justine's IG

Justine's Tik Tok

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

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact tough-love truth I give my one-on-one clients inside Play Cafe Academy and Playmaker Society—the things I say privately that genuinely help people avoid incredibly expensive, stressful, and sometimes irreversible mistakes when opening an indoor playground or play café.

This audio is pulled directly from a YouTube video I recently published, and I wanted to share it here because it’s that important. But if you want to make sure you never miss content that doesn’t make it over to the podcast feed, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel as well.

If you’re in the planning phase, this is the reality check you need before signing a lease, building a business plan, launching a GoFundMe, choosing a location, or assuming open play alone will carry your business.

I walk through the most common misconceptions I see every week—unrealistic revenue projections, relying too heavily on vendors, expecting your customers to be loyal, thinking you can bring your kids to work, underestimating the impact on your relationship, and more.

I’m also diving into why no one wants to fund your dream, how crowdfunding can work when used as a marketing strategy (not a funding plan), and why your startup budget, projected revenue, and marketing spend need to align if you want the business to be sustainable and your life to stay intact.

My intention isn’t to scare you—it’s to give you the full, unfiltered picture so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations.

A play café can absolutely be profitable and joyful, but only if it’s built on truth, not wishful thinking.

If you enjoyed this episode and want a part two for current owners, send me a message or leave a review.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Business Plan Toolkit

Why You Can't Bring Your Kids To Work

What Opening an Indoor Playground Costs

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

Year 1 Of Opening A Play Cafe With Jessalyn Pustay From The Playroom West Virginia!

This interview is also available on YouTube as a video here!

You can also get a summary of this episode on our blog here!

In today’s episode, I’m talking with The Playroom owner Jessalyn Pustay about her first year in business and the lessons she learned while creating a high-quality play and programming space in West Virginia — something she desperately wanted for her own kids after relocating from Washington, DC.

In this interview, we cover:

...How her staffing model grew from just herself to a small, reliable team that can now handle emergencies and weekend coverage.

...The tech struggles she faced early on, why pieced-together systems held her back, and why she’s excited to try something new.

...The marketing channels that actually work in her town.

...How she adjusted pricing and added unlimited memberships, plus which revenue streams perform best.

...The strong seasonality in her area and how she planned ahead financially to make summer slowdowns manageable.

...Her shift away from certain offerings, like read-and-plays and drop-off events, and the themed playgroups and holiday events that consistently sell out.

...The birthday party add-ons that made the biggest difference in profitability.

...How customer feedback shaped her hours and upcoming plans like co-working mornings and homeschool days.

...The vendor and community partnerships that drive real revenue, from bakers and roasters to photographers and local activity providers.

...Her biggest wins and biggest learning moments.

...How her personal workload has shifted — now just three short on-site days a week — and what she’s beginning to delegate.

Jessalyn closes with heartfelt advice for prospective owners: learn from people who have already done it, set boundaries early, and don’t let the business drain the energy you need to run it well.

If you’re planning, opening, or in your first couple of years, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest reflection.

TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theplayroomwv

WEBSITE: www.theplayroomwv.com

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplayroomwv/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/theplayroomwv

PLAY SPACE BRAIN: https://playspacebrain.com/

PROFITABLE PLAY 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

In this bonus episode, I’m breaking down a tough but important truth about holiday retail: parents aren’t loyal to Amazon—they’re loyal to convenience.

If you want families in your community to “shop small” with your indoor playground or play cafe business, you have to make buying from your business as simple and friction-free as possible.

I walk through exactly how indoor playground owners can streamline both in-person and online shopping, including mobile-first website fixes, tap-to-pay checkout, same-day pickup, local delivery, gift guides, and quick fulfillment systems.

When we make shopping with us the easiest option, we win more holiday retail sales—without having to compete on price.

Blog for this episode

Let Us Fix Your Website (Schedule A Free Call)

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

In this episode, I’m sharing the simplest, most profitable holiday events you can add to your calendar — even in the middle of the December chaos. These ideas are designed to increase revenue, visibility, and loyalty without overwhelming you or your team.

BLOG for this episode

I talk about why you don’t need to compete with free community events, why age-specific offerings (especially for babies) are incredibly strategic, and how a few thoughtful touches can make small, curated events feel premium and sell out quickly.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why the holiday season feels overwhelming — and how to keep events simple

• Why free events aren’t your competition

• The power of baby-focused and age-specific programming

• How to use small group sizes to your advantage

• High-impact, low-lift event ideas you can run immediately

If you want to boost revenue without burning out this holiday season, this episode will give you everything you need.

PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES:

BLOG for this episode

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