Why the family café has become a real business driver

The family café , also called a kid-friendly café or stroller-friendly café , is no longer a fringe concept.
It meets a strong demand from families: a place where parents can enjoy themselves while their children are occupied , in a safe and suitable environment.

For professionals (cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels), integrating a children's area is no longer just a matter of image:
👉 it is a lever for traffic , time spent , average basket and loyalty .

But beware: a poorly designed family cafe can quickly become a problem (noise, safety, standards, maintenance).

To learn more about this topic, discover our solutions for welcoming children in the workplace.

1. Define the right concept for a family-run café (before thinking about furniture)

There is no model for a family café.
Before making any design decisions, ask yourself these key questions:

Family café: “core concept” or “additional service”?

Two main approaches:

1️⃣ The family café as a central concept

• clientele mainly composed of families

• communication clearly geared towards children

• A visible, deliberate, and structured children's area

2️⃣ The kids friendly café/restaurant

• Mixed clientele (families + non-families)

• discreet but effective children's area

• Objective: to broaden the target audience without transforming the location

👉 The level of investment, the dedicated space and the furniture will not be the same at all .

These strategic choices are part of a comprehensive reflection on the design of children's spaces in the workplace.

What is the target age group?

It's a common mistake: wanting to please all ages.

In practice, successful family-run cafes primarily target:

• 2–6 years (peak demand period)

• sometimes up to 8–10 years if space allows

➡️ The younger the age, the more the furniture should be:

• stable

• simple

• robust

• easy to clean

2. Design an effective development plan (zoning & traffic)

Where should the children's area be located?

In most institutions, the best results are obtained when:

• The children's corner is visible from the tables

• It is close , but not in the middle of the passage

• It does not block server/client traffic

📌 Objective:

to allow parents to keep an eye on their children without getting up.

Recommended surface area (indicative ranges)

⚠️ These figures are orders of magnitude , to be adapted according to your total surface area, your municipality and your ERP status.

• Minimal functional children's area: 3 to 5 m²

• Comfortable children's area: 6 to 10 m²

• Structured children's area: 10 m² and more

💡 Good to know:
well-designed and quiet 5 m² space

3. Standards, safety and responsibilities: what you really need to understand

Are there any “official standards” for a children’s corner?

There is no single regulation specific to children's areas in cafes.
However, you are subject to:

• ERP (Establishment Open to the Public) regulations

• the general obligation of security

• your professional liability

👉 In other words: you must reduce foreseeable risks .

Widely accepted best practices

Without going into a strict legal framework (which varies from one municipality to another), reputable professionals generally adhere to:

• stable and non-tipping furniture

• absence of sharp edges

• easy-to-clean materials

• no small detachable parts

• no games requiring active supervision

• clear signage (“space under the responsibility of parents”)

📌 Tip:
Document your choices (invoices, product sheets, photos).
This is an advantage in case of an inspection or incident .

4. What type of children's area actually works in a cafe?

Contrary to popular belief, bulky games are not the most effective in the hospitality industry.

What works best

✔️ Drawing & coloring
✔️ Quiet and independent activities
✔️ Child-sized furniture at an appropriate height
✔️ Adaptable and uncluttered spaces

For what ?

• little noise

• few conflicts between children

• simple maintenance

• rapid rotation

• high value perceived by parents

👉 It is precisely for these uses that our professional Drawin'kids packs were designed.

This often causes problems

❌ Bulky games
❌ Games with many pieces
❌ Overly open spaces with no visual boundaries
❌ Non-professional furniture (homemade furniture)

5. Budget: How much does it cost to set up a family cafe?

Realistic price ranges (excluding heavy work)

💡 Pro tip:
Durable and adaptable furniture often costs less over 3 years than entry-level furniture that is replaced every 6 months.

6. Choose children's furniture suitable for professional settings

A family café is not a private games room .
The furniture must meet specific requirements:

Essential criteria

• stability

• resistance to heavy use

• easy maintenance

• design consistent with the location

• sustainability (B2B)

Why are more and more professionals choosing Drawin'kids?

Drawin'kids solutions were designed from the outset for places open to the public :

• sturdy, creative tables

• formats suitable for cafes, restaurants and hotels

• quiet activities (drawing, creative games)

• sheet refills = repeat business

• European made, sustainable

• simple, non-childish design

👉 Result:
A profitable, controlled children's area that enhances the image of the place .

Discover our turnkey pro packs for cafes and kid-friendly places, designed for intensive and sustainable use.

7. Profitability: what the children's area really brings in

A well-designed children's area generally allows for:

• +20 to +40% of time spent

• increase in drinks/desserts basket

• improved family loyalty

• strong differentiation from the competition

• More positive customer reviews

📌 Important:
The children's area should not be seen as a cost , but as an operational marketing tool .

8. Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Copying a concept without adapting it
❌ Neglecting visibility from the tables
❌ Underestimating maintenance
❌ Choosing non-professional furniture
❌ Trying to do too much (simplicity = efficiency)

Conclusion: a successful family café is a café designed like a pro

Setting up a family-run café isn't something you can just wing.
It's a delicate balance between:

• welcoming families

• comfort of other customers

• regulatory constraints

• profitability

Successful institutions are those that:

• choose a clear concept

• favour simple and sustainable solutions

• equip themselves with furniture designed for professionals

🎯 Are you a professional?

Proceed to the next step

👉 Download the free checklist (French)
“10 key points for setting up a compliant and profitable kid-friendly café”

👉 Download the free checklist (English 🇬🇧)

“10 key points to create a compliant and profitable kids-friendly café”

👉 Request a quote or the Drawin'kids professional catalogue
of solutions adapted for cafes, restaurants and hotels.

👉 See the pro packs adapted for cafes, restaurants and places that welcome children.

FAQ – Family cafe & children's area

Do you need specific authorization for a children's play area?
This depends on your municipality and the type of establishment you have. Check with your town hall or the fire and rescue service (SDIS).

Does a children's area entail my responsibility?
Yes, like any other element of your establishment. Hence the importance of a safe and consistent design.

Which activity is easiest to manage in a cafe?
Drawing and quiet creative activities are the most popular with professionals.

Is a children's corner profitable in a small cafe?
Yes, even in a space of 3 to 5 m², if it is well designed.

Are there turnkey solutions available?
Yes, particularly with specialist suppliers like Drawin'kids .