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 foot 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: A well-designed and quiet 5 m² space is often more efficient than a poorly managed 12 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 specifically for 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

That's exactly what our Drawin'kids professional packs were designed for.

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, well-managed 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 professional packages tailored 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.